Smoke Eaters hockey is back.
Trail opens the second half of the season at home tonight against the Okotoks Oilers, who make their first BCHL visit to Cominco Arena.
Both teams have had two weeks off.
The Smoke Eaters closed out the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule with a 7-2 win over Blackfalds, while the Oilers dropped their December 14th tilt 9-5 in Sherwood Park.
Earlier in December, the Oilers scored their second home ice win of the season over the Smoke Eaters, counting three unanswered third period goals in a 4-2 victory.
That game and an earlier 3-2 overtime victory over Trail in Okotoks were the lone Smoke Eaters blemishes during a tough seven game stretch that included six games on the road.
Add in the win over Blackfalds and Trail went 6-1-1 over the final eight games before Christmas.
Trail’s success came through a balanced offensive attack as Judah Makway, Ridge Dawson and defenseman Lucas Lemieux are now tied for the team lead with 24 points each.
Jack Ziliotto and Evan Sundar are one point behind them, with line mates Jason Stefanek and Christian Kim three points behind them. Stefanek leads the team in goals with 13.
Makway has had a memorable December.
In addition to signing an NCAA scholarship with the University of Alaska-Anchorage, the 20-year-old Trail minor hockey product pumped in four goals and five assists for nine points over the last four games before Christmas.
The Smoke Eaters penalty kill has also prospered.
It has increased to 83.5%, while the power play remains a work in progress at 17.9%.
The Saturday night showdown against the Oilers features a team with a strong home record against one who has struggled on the road.
Trail’s home record is 9-3, while Okotoks is 2-10 on the road and their specialty team numbers reflect that.
The Oilers have scored just one power play goal on 43 advantages on the road this season and their penalty kill is 63.4% away from home.
The Smoke Eaters added a forward just before the break, acquiring Josh Wiebe from Brooks for future considerations. The 19-year-old, who is committed to Western Michigan University has two goals and two assists in 11 games this season.
Opening face-off against the Oilers at Cominco Arena is set for 7 p.m. The Smokies host Blackfalds Sunday at 5 p.m. with a hockey card autograph signing near the trophy cases right after the game.
