Smoky River split a pair of close games the Jan. 25-26 weekend by first losing 6-5 at Grovedale Jan. 25 before winning at home 8-6 over Beaverlodge Jan. 26.
Grovedale led 1-0 after one period, 3-1 after two and 5-1 in the third before Smoky River rallied to close the gap to 5-4. However, Grovedale scored to restore the two-goal lead at 6-4 with 2:48 remaining before a late Smoky River goal with 17 seconds left made the final few ticks of the clock interesting.
John Woodward scored five of Grovedale’s six goals with Riley Manning adding the other.
Mason Hartle and Bentley Drouin each scored twice to pace Smoky River’s attack. Teagan Trudeau added the other goal.
The next day on home ice, Smoky River broke a 6-6 tie after two periods to win 8-6. Bently Drouin scored the eventual game-winner before Gavin Guilbault added the insurance marker. In all, Trudeau scored three goals, Guilbault two. Drouin also added a pair and Ryder Gagnon scored the other goal.
Rowe Dueck led Beaverlodge with a pair of goals. Damon Christie, Vance McNaughton, Carson Armstong and Jeff Riendeau added singles.