Vernon @ Trail: (Game Preview)

Vernon (38-12-1-3) @ Trail (25-25-2-2)

Tonight will be the 7th meeting between these two hockey clubs & Vernon’s last trip to Trail for the regular season. Vernon leads the season series 4-2. 70 years ago yesterday the Trail Smoke Eaters won the 1939 World Championship, the Smoke Eaters are going to honour their past with a pre-game ceremony tonight. Don't miss a special video tribute and ceremony before the opening face off. It should be a great ceremony. For great coverage and interviews from tonight’s game, please check out Trails play by play man, Shawn Mullin’s Smoke Eaters blog, http://smokeeatersblog.blogspot.com/ Shawn does a great job covering the Smokies and the BCHL. I always enjoy his thoughts and comments on the Smoke Eaters along with what he has to say on the game. Tonight is Vernon’s final game of a four game road trip, the Vipers are 2-1 on the trip heading into tonight’s game. This is the 3rd straight Friday night the Vipers have had to make the trip to Trail to face the Smokies. Last Friday the Vipers skated away with a 6-0 victory. Vernon is 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games, as Trail is 2-7-0-1 in their last 10 games. Trail hasn't won or played since facing the Vipers at home last Friday night. Vernon is coming off a 6-0 win over Merritt Tuesday night. You can listen to Todd Miller and tonights broadcast live on 107.5 Kiss FM starting with the pre-game at 7:15pm

Heres a look at the season series:

October 4th @ Vernon: Trail wins 5-2

The Smoke Eaters would go ahead 3-1 in the 2nd period and not look back, going home with the 5-2 victory over the Vipers. JF Boisvert lead the Trail attack with 3 pts. Andrew Pickering, Ryan Bulach, Nick Sandor, & Paul Mailey all collected 2 pts each. Paul Barclay made 33 saves in the win, & Andrew Hammond made 28 saves taking the loss. Braden Pimm was the lone bright spot for the Vipers, scoring 2 goals.

November 14th @ Trail: Trail wins 3-2

Tied 2-2 heading into the 3rd Marco Raimmondo stands on his head keeping Vernon off the scoreboard, as the Vipers outplayed the Smoke Eaters in the final frame but couldnt solve the strong goaltening from Raimondo. Ryan Bulach beats Andrew Hammond with just 35 seconds remaining to put the Smoke Eaters up 3-2, Chris Crowell then hits the post in the dying seconds with Hammond on the bench for the extra attacker as Vernon falls to Trail 3-2. Raimondo makes 25 saves earning 1st star.

December 9th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 2-0

The Vipers would get goals from Mike Collins and Rob Short as Andrew Hammond only has to make 19 saves in earning the shutout, as Vernon gets its first win over Trail this season. Vernon outshoots Trail 28-19.

January 3rd @ Vernon: Vernon wins 4-1

Vernon outshoots Trail 40-22 defeating the Smoke Eaters 4-1. Don’t let the score fool you, the Vipers had to earn tonights victory, having to work hard scoring two goals in the 3rd period to pull away with the win. Kevin Kraus led the way for Vernon with 3 assists. Braden Pimm chipped in with 2 assists. Goals from Mike Collins, Kellen Jones, Chris Crowell, & Rob Short. Steve Koshey scored the lone Trail goal. Graeme Gordon made 21 saves getting the win, while Marco Raimondo made 36 saves in the loss.

January 30th @ Trail: Vernon wins 4-1

The Vipers would score three goals in under two minutes during the 2nd period enroute to a 4-1 win. Goals from, Cole Ikkala, Braden Pimm, Kellen Jones & Ryan Santana. Andrew Hammond made 21 saves getting the victory. The lone Trail goal came from, Paul Mailey. Marco Raimondo allowed four goals on just 14 shots before being pulled in favour of Paul Barclay who finished the remainder of the game. Barclay made 15 saves between the pipes not allowing a goal.

February 6th @ Trail: Vernon wins 6-0

Mike Collins scored the game winner late in the 1st period in a 6-0 win over the Smoke Eaters. A very tight checking game with both teams getting some chances. Heading into the 3rd period this was anybodys game as Vernon was still up 1-0, the Vipers would score five goals in the final frame putting the game away. Cory Kane, Kellen Jones with two, Mike Collins & Cole Ikkala would round out Vernon’s scoring. Paul Barclay was chased from the Trail net after giving up four goals, “AP” Peter Alexander would take over giving up the final two Vernon goals. Graeme Gordon made 20 saves for the shutout. Tonights game was alot different then the score indicated.

Key Players To Watch:

Vernon:

Braden Pimm

Mike Collins

Connor Jones

Kellen Jones

Chris Crowell

Cory Kane

Andrew Hammond

Graeme Gordon

Trail:

Travis St. Denis
Nick Sandor
Brett Corcoran

Ryan Bulach
JF Boisvert
Paul Mailey
Marco Raimondo
Paul Barclay