JONES SCORES IN OT TO LIFT SMOKIES TO VICTORY OVER VEES
When the Penticton Vees scored with 19.5 seconds remaining in the third period to tie Game 3 versus the Trail Smoke Eaters, most of the air and optimism of the 2,200 fans’ hopes for a playoff victory quietly slipped out of the Cominco Arena. Yet, relinquishing a 3-2 lead in the dying seconds didn’t deter the Smoke Eaters. The orange-and-black came out in the first overtime period looking to end it and just 95 seconds later Smoke Eater forward Carter Jones scored for a 4-3 Trail victory. “It feels really good,” said Smoke Eaters coach and GM Cam Keith. “We’re back in the series, we have some life, and we know that tomorrow is going to be an even tougher battle. But we have to make sure we stay even keel, enjoy the moment but also the preparation for tomorrow’s game starts right now.” Trail’s Andre Ghantous almost finished the game on the first rush, with the puck on his stick and a clear view of an open net, but was tied up by the Vees defenceman. After a Penticton chance, Trail came right back and Smokies forward Kyle Howarth broke over the Vees blue line, dropped the puck to....