Trail takes opener in OT

Photo: Contributed

Chase Dubois had a five point night in the Warriors 6-5 defeat Friday in Trail

The West Kelowna Warriors may have let one slip through their fingers Friday night in Trail.

The Smokies scored four times in less than four minutes early in the second, then got the winner from Kale Howarth 5:39 into overtime in a wild 6-5 win in game one of their best-of-seven first round series.

The Warriors jumped all over the Smokies in the opening frame, thanks to a deadly power play.

Jared Marino opened the scoring just as a Trail penalty had expired, then Chase Dubois scored his first of two on the night with the man advantage as West Kelowna jumped to a 2-0 lead.

After the Smokies cut the lead in half, Dubois scored his second power play marker of the period to restore the two goal lead.

The lead didn't last long.

Jeremy Lucchini 39 seconds into the second and Andre Ghantous 88 seconds later pulled Trail even.

Moments later Howarth and Tyler Ghirardosi scored 12 seconds apart to give the home side a 5-3 lead.

But, again penalties would open the door for the Warriors. With Carter Jones serving a five-minute blow to the head major, Ryan Steele pulled the Warriors even with a pair of power play goals.

The Smokies dominated the final period, throwing 24 shots at beleaguered Warriors netminder Nik Amundrud.

Amundrud stopped everything fired his way until Howarth finally ended his night in overtime.

The Smoke Eaters outshot the Warriors 55-28 on the night.

Dubois had three assists to go along with his two goals while Steele added an assist

The Warriors finished the night four for eight with the man advantage. Trail clicked just once in six opportunities.

Game two in the series is set for Trail Saturday before the teams travel to Royal LePage Place for games three and four.