(Game Preview) Quesnel @ Vernon:

Quesnel (1-2-0-1) @ Vernon (4-0-0-0)
Last Game Played:

Vernon: Saturday September 19th Vernon defeated Trail 5-1
Quesnel: Saturday September 19th Salmon Arm defeated Quesnel 3-2 Overtime

Tonight is the first meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Quesnel Millionaires. The Millionaires come into Vernon playing the next three games in three nights. Quesnel plays tonight in Vernon, Saturday night in Trail & Sunday afternoon in Westside.

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit tied for 2nd place with the Westside Warriors, Vernon is the last team that is undefeated sitting at 4-0 two points back of the Interior Division leading Penticton Vees (5-1). Vernon is coming off a weekend sweep of the Trail Smoke Eaters last weekend with scores of 7-1 & 5-1. After going 0-13 on the powerplay in their first two games of the regular season the Vipers seem to have figured out the man advantage, going 6 for 11 in their last two games. Vernon does need to work on staying out of the penalty box as in the teams first four games the Vipers have given the other team twenty four powerplays in just four games. Give credit to the Vipers penalty kill wich has killed off twenty one of the twenty four penalties. & this without their best penalty killer Rob Short who is out of the teams lineup with a cut on his leg. Vernon is a very quick puck moving team with loads of depth up front, and four solid lines that can contribute. Kellen & Connor Jones have yet to find the back of the net, Drew George has gotten off to a bit of a slow start recording just two points in just three games. George was a healthy scratch last Saturday night vs. Trail.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (4-3-7)
Braden Pimm (1-6-7)
Cory Kane (4-1-5)
Jonathan Milhouse (2-3-5)
Dylan Walchuk (1-4-5)
Cole Ikkala (2-2-4)
Connor Jones (0-3-3)
Kellen Jones (0-2-2)
Graeme Gordon (4-0 Record, 1.73 GAA)
Kevin Kraus (1-2-3)

Let’s Take A Look At The Quesnel Millionaires:

The Mills currently sit in 4th place in the Interior Division, four points back of the 3rd place Salmon Arm Silverbacks. During the off season, the Mills brought in a new head coach with the addition of Glen Watson. Watson will try and get the Millionaries out of the basement of the Interior Division this year, a place Quesnel is all too use to the past few seasons. Quesnel is coming off a 3-2 Overtime loss last Saturday night in Salmon Arm in the teams first road game of the season. Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Eliot Raibl makes his return to the Wesbild Centre this time as a Quesnel Millionaire. Raibl played with Vernon back in the 2007-08 season before being traded to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Chris Kerr the younger brother of former Vernon Vipers forward, James Kerr plays for the Mills. Chris tried out for the Vipers this year but was cut during the exibition season. Quesnel’s lone victory of the season come after a 4-1 win over Prince George.

KEY RETURNEES: The Mills moved a fistful of 20 year-olds to make room for new faces, but have retained a solid core of veterans. Trevor Hertz starts his third BCHL season as team captain. The 20-year-old netted 36 goals and 72 points last year, splitting the season between the Mills and Victoria, following a 56-point rookie year with the Mills. Glen Watson, coach of the Mills, is counting on Hertz to provide leadership on and off the ice. Watson will also look to defencemen Eliot Raibl (25 points/40 games) and Sam Higgins (17 points; from Victoria Grizzlies).

ROOKIES: The Millionaires will rely on several rookies to make the adjustment to Junior A. At the top of the list are 18-year-old twins Bond and Brendan Hawryluk, who tallied 68 and 69 points, respectively, with the Peace River Royals of the Alberta Rural Midget AAA league. The brothers previously played for Watson. Homegrown 16-year-old Spencer Graboski, shortlisted for the under-17 Team Pacific team, is sure to be a crowd favourite.

STRENGTHS: After a tough last season, the signing of Watson in the offseason can be viewed as somewhat of a coup for Quesnel. Watson brings a ton of playoff experience, including the finals of the Royal Bank Cup, Allan Cup, as well as MJHL and SJHL championships.

COACH'S QUOTE: Glen Watson: “We're in a tough division with Vernon and Penticton. We want to make it into the pack behind them, get ourselves into a playoff spot. The team's starting to look like the way we want it to look, we have to change our identity as a team.”

The Mills have been busy in the trade department, making six trades since the end of August. Here’s a look at the moves Quesnel has made since August 30th

30-Aug-09 The Quesnel Millionaires Hockey Club acquires the playing rights of Cody Ballard (91) from the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations.

04-Sep-09 The Quesnel Millionaires Hockey Club transfer the CJHL playing rights of Matt Strong to the Llyodminster Bobcats Hockey Club of the AJHL.

10-Sep-09 The Penticton Vees Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of James Bettauer (91)(D) to the Quesnel Millionaries Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

11-Sep-09 The Quesnel Millionaires Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Rob Bailey (89)(F) to the Powell River Kings Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

21-Sep-09 The Quesnel Millionaires Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Josh Martin (90)(F) to the Winkler Flyers Hockey Club of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations.

24-Sep-09 The Quesnel Millionaires Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Cody Ballard (91) to the Sioux Lookout Flyers of the SIJHL in exchange for future considerations.

Players To Watch:

Trevor Hertz (3-2-5)
Taylor Holst (1-3-4)
Skyler Smutek (1-2-3)
Matthew Herskovitz (0-3-3)

Heres a look at last year's season series:

October 15th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 7-0

Andrew Hammond makes 23 saves for his first shutout of the BCHL season. 2nd star Kellen Jones lead the way with three assists. 1st star Connor Jones had two goals. Captain Chris Crowell, Ryan Santana, Braden Pimm, Cory Kane, & Mike Collins all lead the way with two points each. Joshua Fersovitch had a goal & an assist for the Mills in the loss.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573463

November 1st @ Quesnel: Vernon wins 7-4

Connor & Kellen Jones both lead the way for Vernon with three points each. Bryce Kakoske, Ryan DePape and Braden Pimm each collected two points each. Graeme Gordon picked up the win between the pipes, making 21 saves.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573518

November 16th @Vernon: Vernon wins 4-0

Braden Pimm scores two goals for the Vipers, Connor & Kellen Jones both pick up two points. Graeme Gordon picks up the win in goal. This is the second meeting this season where the Vipers have shutout the Millionaires.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573563

December 7th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 4-1

The Vipers lead the season series 4-0 with a 4-1 win over Quesnel. Evan Karambelas makes 41 saves, keeping Quesnel in this afternoons hockey game, but it wasn’t enough as John Digness collects three points in the win. Chris Crowell & Cory Kane each pick up two points. Graeme Gordon gets another win against the Mills. Thomas Kala breaks Gordons shutout bid with just five minutes remaining in the 3rd. The Vipers outshoot the Millionaires 45-12.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573623

December 13th @ Quesnel: Vernon wins 6-3

The Vipers exploded with three 2nd period goals to jump ahead 4-1 after 40 mins of play and roll to a 6-3 victory in Quesnel. Mike Collins, Connor Jones, & Kory Kane with two assists each, Kellen Jones scored two goals for Vernon. Andrew Hammond made 23 saves getting the win between the pipes. Joshua Fersovitch, Ben Payne & Joshua Martin scored for the Millionaires. Kiefer Smiley took the loss in goal for Quesnel.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573642

January 18th @ Quesnel: Vernon wins 4-2

Vernon scored three first period goals enroute to the 4-2 victory. Sahir Gill, Cole Ikkala, Bryce Kakoske, & Rob Short scored for the Vipers. Graeme Gordon made 25 saves for the win. Ben Payne & Brett Howe scored for Quesnel, Evan Karambelas made 27 saves taking the loss. Vernon sweeps the regular season series 6-0.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573731

Here's a look at both team's rosters:

Vernon:

#3 Defence Garrett Noonan 91 Norfolk, MA 6'1" 205

#4 Defence Erik Soderlund 90 Carlsbad, CA 6'4" 205

#5 Forward Mike Collins 90 Boston, MA 6'1" 180

#6 Defence Darrin Robak 91 Red Deer, Alb 6'2" 180

#7 Defence Dan Nycholat 89 Calgary, Alb 6'2" 190

#9 Forward Dylan Walchuk 92 McBride, BC 5'9" 170

#10 Forward Connor Jones 90 Montrose, BC 5'10" 170

#11 Forward Cory Kane 90 Irvine, CA 6'3" 198

#12 Forward Cole Ikkala 90 Philadelphia, PA 6'0" 205

#14 Forward Braden Pimm 89 Fort St John, BC 6'0" 190

#15 Forward Kellen Jones 90 Montrose, BC 5'10" 168

#16 Forward Drew George 91 Cupar, SK 6'0" 165

#17 Forward Bredan Persley 93 Kelowna, BC 6'1" 200

#19 Forward Jonathan Milhouse 89 Yorba Linda, CA 5'10" 185

#20 Forward Rob Short 89 Coldstream, BC 6'0" 207

#21 Defence Kevin Kraus 89 Garden Grove, CA 6'2" 200

#22 Forward Sawyer Mick 91 Vernon, BC 6'1" 180

#24 Defence Steve Weinstein 90 Los Angeles, CA 5'9" 175

#25 Defence Nick Amies 92 Enderby, BC 6'2" 190

#27 Forward Bryce Kakoske 90 Vernon, BC 6'0" 205

#28 Defence Adam Thompson 90 Calgary, Alb 6'1" 198

#29 Forward Patrick McGillis 91 Calgary, Alb 5'10" 185

#30 Goaltender Blake Voth 91 Herbert, SK 5'10" 170

#35 Goaltender Graeme Gordon 89 North Vancouver, BC 6'2" 197

Quesnel:

#4 Justin Sotkowy 90 Victoria, BC 5"11 175

#5 Sam Higgins 90 Calgary, Alt 5"11 170

#6 Spencer Graboski 93 Quesnel, BC 6"2 170

#7 Matthew Herskovitz 89 Montreal, Quebec 6"2 200

#9 Brett Howe 90 Lethbridge, Alt 5"11 190

#10 Lucas Ford 91 Strathmore, Alberta 5"11 195

#12 Huck Saunders 90 Seattle, Washington 6"1 190

#14 Skyler Smutek 90 Seattle, Washington 6" 175
#16 Trevor Hertz 89 Jaffray, BC 6" 185
#17 Taylor Holst 89 Kelowna, BC 6"1 185
#18 Eric Hansen 89 Minnetonka, Minnesota 5"11 175
#19 Breyden DeCock 90 Calgary, Alt 5"9 180
#20 Darick Ste-Marie 89 St-Bruno, Quebec 5"11 195
#21 Tyler French 90 Westside, BC 5"7 165
#22 Mitch Galbraith 90 Quesnel, BC 6"3 190
#23 Oliver Koo 90 GREENWICH, CT 5"10 175
#24 Braden Watson 92 Keremeos, BC 5"11 173

#25 Rylan Stanyer 90 Burns Lake, BC 6"2 195

#26 Chris Kerr 92 Penticton, BC 6" 175

#27 Eliot Raibl 89 Vancouver, BC 6" 184

#28 Tyler Billon 92 chilliwack, BC 6"2 190
#35 Luke Siemens 92 Delta,, BC 5"11 165
#31 Kirby Halcrow 91 Grande Prarie, Alberta 6"2 218