Vernon @ Prince George: (Game Preview)

Vernon (30-11-1-3) @ Prince George (19-20-3-5)

Vernon plays three games in three days over the weekend, after a poor performance in a 4-3 double overtime loss at home to Nanaimo last night, the Vipers head up North for a date with the Prince George Spruce Kings tonight, before heading to play the Quesnel Millionaires tomorrow afternoon. The Spruce Kings have owned the Vipers this season going 3-1 getting strong goaltending from all-star Kevin Genoe. The only loss PG gave up to Vernon, Genoe didnt play. Since the last meeting between these two teams back on December 12th Prince George has won just two games. The Spruce Kings are sliding going 1-5-2-2 in there last 10 games, sitting in 6th place in the Interior Division. The Vipers have been struggling as well as of late, lossing two of there last three games, leaving them in 2nd place in the Interior now seven points back of the Division leading Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Heres a look at the season series:

September 13th @ Vernon: Prince George wins 3-1Kevin Genoe made 23 saves in the PG nets, getting 1st star of the hockey game. Mark Segal makes his BCHL debut for the Vipers taking the loss.

October 18th @ Vernon: Prince George wins 4-3 OvertimeKevin Genoe once again stones the Vipers, coming up with a 37 save performance and getting another 1st star. Spruce Kings Sam Muchalla scores two goals, one being the OT winner giving the Spruce Kings the win. Muchalla gets 3rd star. PG’s Zac Davies puts up two assists on the scoresheet helping out with the win. Vernon’s Sahir Gill records two assists in the loss.

October 31st @ Prince George: Vernon wins 4-2 The Vipers make there first visit to Prince George, going home with the 4-2 win, defeating the Spruce Kings for the first time this season. Andrew Hammond leaves the game with the flu, as Graeme Gordon finishes the hockey game, getting the win. Alex Wright makes his first start against Vernon, taking the loss making 26 saves. Connor Jones & Steven Weinstein lead the attack for Vernon with two assists each.

December 12th @ Prince George: After a scoreless 1st period Sean Ambrosie opened the scoring putting the Spruce Kings on the board first, but it didnt take long before the Vipers replied, Connor Jones scoring a late powerplay goal tied the game 1-1. With the game tied 1-1 midway through the 3rd, Andrew Hammond coughed the puck up to Dan Correale who fired the puck into the empty net, as Prince George went up 2-1. Hammonds bad pass cost the Vipers as PG defeated Vernon 2-1. Goaltending was the difference tonight, as Hammond allows two goals on just 15 shots, Kevin Genoe was solid between the pipes making 41 saves, earning first star. The Spruce Kings snapped the Vipers nine game winning streak.

Key Players To Watch:

Vernon:

Braden Pimm
Mike Collins
Connor Jones
Kellen Jones
Chris Crowell
Cory Kane
Andrew Hammond
Graeme Gordon

Prince George:

Sam Muchalla

Kevin Genoe

Sean Ambrosie

Alex Allan

Zach Davies

Andrew Pickering

Wes McLeod

Joe Morgan

Alex Goodship