Royal Bank Cup Final: Humboldt @ Vernon: (Game Preview)

Humboldt (3-2) @ Vernon (5-0)

Here's a look at todays Royal Bank Cup Final:

They're back! The defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Humboldt Broncos will look to become the first team since the Vernon Lakers in 1990 & 1991 to repeat as the top junior A team in Canada. Todays Final is do or die, winner takes all. Today is like a Game 7 and will be the last game of the season for both these two teams. The Humboldt Broncos are the defending RBC Champions after going 3-2 in the tournament get another chance at winning its 3th National title. The Vernon Vipers are back at the Royal Bank Cup after a long ten years. Vernon went 5-0 at the RBC having a chance at winning its 5th National Championship. This is Humboldts 4th appearance at the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup (1987, 2003, 2008 & 2009) Winning the Championship in 2003 & 2008. Vernon is making its record breaking 7th appearance at the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup (1989,1990,1991,1992,1996,1999 & 2009) Winning the National Championship in 1990,1991,1996 & 1999. The Vernon Lakers-Vipers are the only team to make four straight appearances at the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup (1989,1990,1991,1992) and the last team to win back to back titles (1990-1991) & have a chance to become the first ever team to win five National Championships. This is the third ever meeting between these two teams after the Vernon Lakers defeated the Humboldt Broncos in the 1989 Western Finals. The only other meeting between these two teams was this past week as Vernon defeated Humboldt 7-1 in the round robin at the RBC.

The Broncos will be wanting revenge after a 7-1 pounding by the Vipers on Monday evening in the round robin. I dont think the Broncos have played their best game at vthe RBC, if they want to win back to back titles they will need a full 60 minutes effort to defeat Vernon. Humboldt is lead by veteran d-man & captain Brady Wacker who won the top defenceman award at last years 2008 Royal Bank Cup. Wacker led the Broncos in scoring during the regular season (82 points) & in this years playoffs with 23 points. Tanner Vandesype & Scott Schroeder are also two top leading point getters for the Broncos. The Broncos are going to have to try and shutdown the Vipers #1 unit of Sahir Gill, Connor Jones & Kellen Jones, something no previous teams have done. Humboldt will have to get lots of pucks and traffic towards MVP goaltender, Andrew Hammond who has been solid between the pipes for the Vipers all season. The Broncos are a very gritty and hard working team, playing physical and staying out of the penalty box will be key in this afternoons final.

For more, check out the Broncos Blog,

http://loweringtheboom.blogspot.com/

The Vipers are looking at becoming the first ever team to win five National Championships. After going a perfect 5-0 in the RBC the Vipers have one last game before capping off the perfect season. Vernon played one of if not its best game of the season this past week in a big 7-1 win over the Broncos. The Vipers will have to be just as good if not better if they expect to knock off the defending Champs. Vernon has one of the strongest and hardest working clubs that can roll four lines. The Vipers have been knowen for their defence and strong goaltending, Vernon has shutdown many teams in the final period sitting on a one goal lead. The Vipers have now won 49 games, tied one, and lost one in overtime when they’ve led going into the third period this season & playoffs. The Vipers are most effective & dangerous when they play with that aggresive forecheck and strong cycle down low. Vernon will have to keep their eye on captain Brady Wacker, who is very mobile and likes to jump up into the play. Troy Allen, Scott Schroeder & Tanner Vandesype are also very dangerous and can burn you on any chance given. It will be interesting to see who gets the start between the pipes for the Broncos, Matchieu LaRochelle started vs Vernon in their round robin game, but was pulled after giving up 5 goals. Andrew Bodnarchuck replaced LaRochelle and finished the remainder of the games during the round robin, before LaRochelle was back between the pipes in the Broncos semifinal game vs Victoria. Who ever gets the start, the Vipers will have to get lots of pucks and traffic towards the goal. Specialty teams will be a big factor as Vernon is very leathal on the penalty kill, scoring 9 shorthanded goals during the playoffs and RBC tournament.

You can listen to todays game with Todd Miller at 4:15 live on 107.5 Kiss FM The game is also live on TSN 2 starting at 4:30pm due to the NHL Ducks-Red Wings Game TSN will be showing tonights game at 8:30pm.

Here's a look at Mondays round robin game between these two teams:

Humboldt come close to opening the scoring just 20 seconds into the game, captain Brady Wacker rings his shot off the post as the Broncos hit two early goal posts but come up empty handed. This was the turning point as the Vipers would score first and often in a big 7-1 victory. Rob Short opened the scoring shorthanded at 15:39 Ryan Santana put Vernon up 2-0 late in the 1st as the Vipers took a 2-0 lead into the 2nd. Cole Ikkala and Mike Collins put the Vipers up 4-0 before the Broncos hit the scoreboard. Joel Belair beat Andrew Hammond at 8:06. Kellen Jones would chase Mathieu Larochelle just over a minute later putting the Vipers up 5-1. This was the end of the night for Larochelle as Andrew Bodnarchuk took over between the pipes for Humboldt. Vernon was up 5-1 after 40 minutes of play. Chris Crowell & Sahir Gill would put the game away in the final period as Vernon defeated Humboldt 7-1. Mathieu Larochelle took the loss as Andrew Hammond made 20 saves for the win.

Players of the game:

Vernon: Rob Short

Humboldt: Troy Allan

http://hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=24857&game_id=1604

For more on the Broncos, check out the teams web site,

http://www.humboldtbroncos.com/

Vernons Playoff Scoring Leaders:

Connor Jones 28 pts
Sahir Gill 23 pts

Kellen Jones 22 pts
Braden Pimm 14 pts
Chris Crowell 13 pts
Cory Kane 13 pts
Mike Collins 12 pts
Rob Short 10 pts
Andrew Hammond 16-5 Record 1.50 GAA 4 Shutouts

Humboldts Playoff Scoring Leaders:

Brady Wacker 23 pts
Tanner Vandesype 23 pts
Scott Schroeder 20 pts
Matthew Kirzinger 18 pts
Steven Schroeder 17 pts
Nick Kalnicki 14 pts
Shawn Hunter 14 pts
Spencer Braaten 12 pts
Mathieu LaRochelle 9-6 Record 2.44 GAA