Greater Trail’s Tier 2 Midget Smokies goalie Kevin Engman was stellar in the crease and also set up two goals as the Smokies rallied in the final two periods for a 7-2 victory over the Salmon Arm Midget Silverbacks.
With the game deadlocked 1-1 and time winding down in the first period, Engman made a huge pad save off what looked like a sure goal for the Midget Silverbacks.
His team responded scoring four goals in the the second period to take a 5-1 lead on goals from Kai Birks, and two goals each from Hayden Livingston and Lucas Anselmo. Isaac Knight scored five minutes into the third on a great end-to-end rush and Derick Ferraro made it 7-1 on a shot from the point before the Silverbacks added one more in the final minutes.
The Smokies lost their first game to Highland Hills Jaguars 3-2, before beating the Vernon Vipers 2-0 and the Creston Chiefs 3-2 to qualify for the semifinal.
The Smokies faced the Clearwater Icehawks and jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Icehawks battled back tying it at 2-2 then taking a 3-2 lead. The Smokies scored two quick goals to take the lead, then held on for the 4-3 victory and a berth into the tournament final.
See more on the GTMHA Midget Tournament in this week’s Trail Times.
