Vernon, BC: It’s the final home game of the regular season for the Vernon Vipers, and they’ll look for a stronger effort and result as they welcome the Trail Smoke Eaters to Kal Tire Place.
With one last chance to play in front of the home crowd, the focus shifts to pride, effort, and finishing strong in front of a passionate fanbase.
Last Game – Vernon
It was a difficult night for the Vipers on Wednesday, falling 7-2 to the Brooks Bandits.
In a rare showing, Vernon was outmatched in nearly every category. Dmitrii Kubantsev and Toms Trockis provided the offense, while Jesse Sanche battled hard in goal, making 30 saves on 37 shots.
Special teams were a factor in the loss. The Vipers went 0-for-4 on the powerplay, while the penalty kill allowed two goals on six opportunities in a physical and scrappy contest.
Last Game – Trail
The Smoke Eaters come into tonight looking to snap a recent skid, having dropped five straight games—four of them in regulation.
Their most recent outing was a tough 6-0 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies at Cominco Arena. Cooper Michaluk stopped 17 of 23 shots in the defeat.
Trail’s special teams struggled as well, going 0-for-3 on the powerplay and allowing a goal on their only penalty kill opportunity.
By the Numbers
Vernon Vipers
Record: 14-31-7-0
Home: 6-15-5-0
Streak: L4
Last 10: 3-7-0-0
Powerplay: 17.7% (18th)
Penalty Kill: 76.4% (11th)
Goals For: 161
Goals Against: 215
Goal Differential: -54
Trail Smoke Eaters
Record: 29-22-1-0
Away: 12-13-1-0
Powerplay: 22.5% (11th)
Penalty Kill: 78.6% (8th)
Goals For: 166
Goals Against: 170
Goal Differential: -4
Scoring Leaders
Vernon
Dmitrii Kubantsev — 15G, 37A, 52 Pts
Deagan McMillan — 20G, 20A, 40 Pts
Christian Maro — 17G, 22A, 39 Pts
Trail
Christian Kim — 16G, 40A, 56 Pts
Cash Carter — 25G, 23A, 48 Pts
Erik Pastro — 23G, 21A, 44 Pts
Goaltending Matchup
Vernon
Oliver Kanat — 25 GP | 3.59 GAA | .889 SV%
Lane Maarhuis — 10 GP | 3.70 GAA | .899 SV%
Jesse Sanche — 7 GP | 4.80 GAA | .851 SV%
Trail
Cooper Michaluk — 24 GP | 2.99 GAA | .902 SV%
Chayse Johnson — 19 GP | 3.07 GAA | .897 SV%
Lyam Leblanc — 12 GP | 3.05 GAA | .901 SV%
Head-to-Head
Tonight is the sixth of seven meetings between these two teams and the first of a home-and-home set to close out the regular season.
In a surprising trend, the Smoke Eaters hold a 5-0 edge in the season series—but the games have been incredibly tight. Four of the five matchups have been decided by a single goal, with the lone exception still being a one-goal game before an empty netter.
What’s at Stake
Vernon
This one is about pride.
After Wednesday’s result, the Vipers will be looking for a much stronger, more complete effort in their final home game. With a passionate fanbase behind them, there’s an opportunity to leave a lasting impression and finish the home schedule on a positive note.
Trail
Consistency is the key for the Smoke Eaters.
With second place in the Interior West already secured, Trail’s focus now turns to preparing for the playoffs. After back-to-back first-round exits, finding their game and building momentum down the stretch will be crucial ahead of postseason play.
Broadcast Information
🕖 Puck Drop: 7:00 PM
🕡 Pregame: 6:45 PM
📻 107.5 Beach Radio
🎧 Vernon Matters (audio stream)
📺 FloHockey
