Jeremy Smith Wins First CCHL Game, Beats Lakers 3-2

Jeremy Smith Gets First CCHL Win in Dayton

Veteran Brian Elliott was given the Dayton crease for each of the first twelve games this season. The thinking was Elliott is a workhorse who plays better the more he plays. Last season he was the 5th rated netminder in the CCHL with a 20-27-6 record and a .924 save percentage. After a mid-January trade from Linz to Dayton, Elliott finally got his chance to be "the guy" after  Devan Dubnyk was traded earlier this season.

Jeremy Smith knows he won't play much this season unless Elliott is himself traded, which seems unlikely. After being signed by Dayton as a free agent in Mid-August, Smith was pleased to sign with a team like Dayton, a team where young guys would eventually get a chance to show what they could do.

Tonight was Smith's first chance to perform in the CCHL.

Despite being down 2-1 halfway through the second period to Dartmouth, Smith seemed calm and composed in the Dayton net. "Yes, I was pretty nervous when the game started, but after a few shots, I felt better."

After a game-tying goal by Thomas Vanek and then the game-winner with just :39 seconds left by Alex Barkov, the rookie goalie from Dearborn, Michigan had won his first game.

"It's pretty thrilling, I won't lie. I've wondered if it would ever come. I got an opportunity this evening and it worked out."

Smith stopped 29 of 31 Dartmouth shots and the Musicmen defence found him easy to play in front of.

"He's different than Brian is, especially with the puck. Brian's strength isn't puck-handling, but Jeremy seems very comfortable that way," said Matt Irwin.

Game Notes:

Barkov scored his 7th and 8th goals of the season and now sits second on the team in scoring with 14 points in 13 games. His shooting percentage of 25.8% leads the Musicmen.

Dayton is off tomorrow, then has a practice set for Thursday morning at 11:00am at the Soundstage. The team will leave for Parry Sound, Ontario later that evening, then practice in Parry Sound Friday morning and then face the Orrsmen Saturday night.

"It's a 4-day wait until our next game, but with so many younger players on our team, any extra chance we have to have a few good practices, we'll take them, trust me." said GM Bill Corfield.