The Force Not Strong Enough as Wild Fall to Smoke Eaters on Star Wars Night

On a night that featured a “Star Wars” theme, the Force wasn’t enough to lift the Wild over the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters as Wenatchee fell 4-3 in regulation Friday night at Town Toyota Center.

Characters from the iconic film series roamed the concourse, fans wore Star Wars t-shirts and costumes, and characters Darth Maul and Boba Fett dropped the ceremonial first puck. The Force was strong with the Wild early on as a wide open Trail power play chance clanged off the iron. Brian Adams scored on a power play goal for Wenatchee as he punched home the rebound of a Dylan Herzog point shot ending a streak of 18 consecutive successful Trail penalty kills in the season series. 34 seconds later, Luke Ormsby drove down the right wing and snapped a pass to Harrison Scott who wired home a one-timer on the blocker side for a 2-0 Wild lead. Kent Johnson cut into the lead for Trail late in the period when he flipped the puck into the crease area from the left circle and it bounced in off a couple of Wild players and it was a 2-1 game at the first intermission.

Trail scored a power play goal early in the second when Matt Osadick snapped home a low pass from the slot that powered through the leg pads to knot the score at 2-2. Wenatchee reclaimed the lead at the 11:30 mark when Luke Ormsby guided home a centering feed from Nick Cafarelli. The Smokies were able to tie it back up with three seconds left in the middle frame on a Phillippe Lapointe shot across the grain as he moved to his right and shot back to his left over the blocker using the defenseman as a screen and the game was tied at 3 after two periods.

Trail notched the game winning goal midway through the third when Kent Johnson attacked the net from the right wing and followed his shot which Daniel Chenard had turned aside. Johnson carried the puck around behind the net and found Michael Colella alone in front for the easy finish and a 4-3 lead that stood until the final horn.

Wenatchee (22-20-4) concludes their homestand Saturday with a rematch against the Trail Smoke Eaters (30-14-4). The game will be broadcast and streamed online with NewsRadio 560 KPQ, with the Pregame Show airing at 6:45 pm.

Press release provided by Wenatchee Wild