The Trail Smoke Eaters’ road woes continue as the team dropped a pair of games to West Kelowna and Penticton on the weekend.
The Smokies are a perfect 4-0 at home this season, but have dropped six of seven games on the road, including a 6-0 loss to the Warriors Friday and a 7-2 drubbing by the Vees Saturday.
Louie Nanne netted a hat trick for Penticton while Wade Murphy had a four-assist night and former Smokie Sam Mellor picked up a pair of helpers to pace the Vees to the win. Murphy sits in second place in league scoring with 17 points, while Penticton’s Mellor and Michael Rebry are tied for third with 15 points apiece.
The Smokies’ leading scorer, Brent Baltus, opened the scoring at 1:58 of the first period, but it was all Penticton after that. Penticton built up a 7-1 lead until late in the third when Mitch Foyle scored his first of the season, after a nice set up from former Midget Ice teammates Jake Lucchini and Jesse Knowler.
Braden Krogfross got the start in goal for Trail and stopped 26 of 33 shots on net, while Nic Reynard blocked 21 of 23 for the Vees.
The Vees lead the Interior Conference with a 9-1 record.
In Trail’s loss Friday, the Warriors struck twice in each period, firing 35 shots at Trail goalie Lyndon Stanwood while Tyler Biggs turned aside 20 for his second shut out of the season.
Brent Lashuk and Matt Anholt led the way for the Warriors each netting a goal and two assists, while Josh Monk had three assists.
Trail was not without its chances, Baltus was robbed twice in front of the net, and Biggs stole a couple of nice opportunities from Jesse Knowler and Luke Sandler. However, the Smokies could not get anything going on special teams as Trail went 0-for-6 on the power play.
The Smoke Eaters host the Coquitlam Express Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Cominco Arena, and are at home again on Sunday against the Merritt Centennials at 5 p.m.
