The Cranbrook Bucks (13-10-1-0) welcome the Trail Smoke Eaters (12-10-1-0) to Western Financial Place tonight for a New Years Eve showdown.
It is the third straight meeting between the cross-Kootenay rivals, with Cranbrook winning the first two on Dec. 17 and 18.
Two weeks ago tonight the Bucks travelled to Trail and played a complete 60-minute road game to pick up a 5-3 win at Cominco arena.
The two teams then faced-off the next night in Cranbrook in what was a more competitive game overall, and the Bucks picked up a 4-3 come-from-behind win in what was another really solid performance.
Cranbrook rolls into tonight’s contest riding a three-game win streak, while Trail looks to snap a losing streak of three games.
The two teams have already met six times this season prior to tonight, with each team winning three times.
Here’s a look at the Bucks season series against Trail, courtesy of our Schedule by Opponent page:
9 games (3-2-1-0)
- Oct. 8: vs Trail (5-3 W)
- Oct. 9: @ Trail (3-1 L)
- Nov. 20: vs Trail (4-3 OTL)
- Dec. 1: vs Trail (7-4 L)
- Dec. 17: @ Trail (5-3 W)
- Dec. 18: vs Trail (4-3 W)
- Dec. 31: vs Trail (7pm)
- Jan. 1: @ Trail (6pm)
- Feb. 9: vs Trail (7pm)
The biggest key for the Bucks tonight will be special teams, as Trail was a perfect 2/2 on the powerplay and 4/4 on the penalty kill in the last meeting before the holiday break.
The Bucks lineup will look a little different tonight, as a pair of recent trades has seen a couple of forwards depart, while adding a new defenseman to the mix.
Cranbrook will head to Trail tomorrow for the eighth of nine meetings between the clubs this season, while also wrapping up four straight games against each other.
Bucks Network 