Vernon, BC: It’s the final game of the regular season, and the Vernon Vipers will look to end their year on a positive note as they visit the Trail Smoke Eaters at Cominco Arena.
Last Game – Vernon
It wasn’t the result the Vipers were looking for in their final home game, falling 5-1 to the Smoke Eaters at Kal Tire Place. Defensive lapses and missed opportunities proved costly throughout the night.
Sebastian Bradshaw provided the lone goal for Vernon. In goal, Lane Maarhuis got the start but was forced out early, stopping 1 of 4 shots. Oliver Kanat came on in relief and was solid, turning aside 28 of 30 the rest of the way.
Special teams struggled to generate momentum, finishing 0-for-5 on the powerplay, while the penalty kill remained perfect at 2-for-2.
Last Game – Trail
Trail snapped a five-game winless skid in convincing fashion on Friday night.
Christian Kim led the charge offensively with two goals and an assist, while Max Hense chipped in with a pair of helpers. Cash Carter added a goal and an assist in the win.
Between the pipes, Chayse Johnson was excellent, stopping 30 of 31 shots to secure the victory.
By the Numbers
Vernon Vipers
Record: 14-32-7-0
Away: 6-16-2-0
Streak: L5
Last 10: 3-7-0-0
Powerplay: 17.3%
Penalty Kill: 76.7%
Goals For: 162
Goals Against: 220
Goal Differential: -58
Trail Smoke Eaters
Record: 30-22-1-0
Home: 17-9-0-0
Powerplay: 22.2%
Penalty Kill: 79.2%
Goals For: 170
Goals Against: 171
Goal Differential: -1
Scoring Leaders
Vernon
Dmitrii Kubantsev — 15G, 37A, 52 Pts
Deagan McMillan — 20G, 20A, 40 Pts
Christian Maro — 17G, 22A, 39 Pts
Trail
Christian Kim — 18G, 41A, 59 Pts
Cash Carter — 26G, 24A, 50 Pts
Erik Pastro — 23G, 22A, 45 Pts
Goaltending Matchup
Vernon
Oliver Kanat — 26 GP | 3.54 GAA | .891 SV%
Lane Maarhuis — 11 GP | 3.99 GAA | .891 SV%
Jesse Sanche — 7 GP | 4.80 GAA | .851 SV%
Trail
Cooper Michaluk — 24 GP | 2.99 GAA | .902 SV%
Chayse Johnson — 20 GP | 2.96 GAA | .901 SV%
Lyam Leblanc — 12 GP | 3.05 GAA | .901 SV%
Head-to-Head
This marks the seventh and final meeting between the two teams this season.
Trail has won all six previous matchups, though the season series has been tighter than the record suggests. Every game prior to last night’s meeting was decided by narrow margins.
Final Thoughts
For the Vipers, tonight is about finishing the season the right way. With a young group that showed resilience throughout the year, this final game presents one more opportunity to compete, respond, and carry momentum forward.
For Trail, it’s about continuing to build consistency ahead of the postseason, as they prepare for a playoff run in the Interior West.
Broadcast Information
🕖 Puck Drop: 7:00 PM
🕡 Pregame: 6:45 PM
📻 107.5 Beach Radio
🎧 Vernon Matters (audio stream)
📺 FloHockey
