(Game Preview) Burnaby @ Vernon:

Burnaby (5-1-0-2) @ Vernon (7-1-0)

Last Game Played:

Saturday October 3rd Penticton defeated Vernon 2-0
Saturday October 3rd Trail defeated Burnaby 5-4 In Overtime

Tonight is the first regular season meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Burnaby Express. The Vipers are playing their third game in three days, while the Express are also playing their third game in three days. Visit my Blog after todays game for my game recap on the game.

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit in 2nd place in the Interior Division Standings, four points back of the Division leading Penticton Vees (9-2) with three games in hand. Vernon suffered its first loss of the season dropping its record to 7-1 last night with a 2-0 loss to the Penticton Vees. Going back to Game six of last years BCHL Finals the Vipers had won 22 straight games including the pre season. This afternoon will be another tough game as the Express come into Vernon with a solid 5-1-0-2 record having played fairly well this young season. The Vipers come into this weekends action facing three top clubs. (Westside 4-3 win), Penticton 2-0 loss) & Burnaby) The Vipers need to work on the teams powerplay after struggling the past two games going 1-14. The Vipers are going to have to watch the big guns for the Express as, Jon Puskar, Rich Manley & Matt Ius are in the leagues top 20 for scoring. Vernon is going to have to try and jump on Burnaby early a team that played Friday in Salmon Arm and then last night in Trail. The Vipers need all 20 players to show up tonight with a full 60 minute effort, this isn’t going to be no pushover. Vernon will be facing another strong goaltender in Harrison May, so once again will have to try and get lots shots & bodies in front of the goal.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (5-6-11)
Braden Pimm (2-7-9)
Dylan Walchuk (2-6-8)
Jonathan Milhouse (4-4-8)
Cory Kane (5-2-7)
Dan Nycholat (0-6-6)
Connor Jones (1-5-6)
Kellen Jones (1-5-6)
Kevin Kraus (1-4-5)
Cole Ikkala (2-3-5)
Adam Thompson (1-3-4)
Graeme Gordon (6-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.71 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Burnaby Express:

The Express currently sit 2nd place in the Coastal Division with a 5-1-0-2 record three points back of the Division leading Powell River Kings. Burnaby is coming off a 7-2 loss to Salmon Arm Friday night & then falling 5-4 in Overtime last night in Trail. The Express have 7 players returning from last years team. Burnaby comes into tonights game with three players in the top 20 in league scoring, Jon Puskar (7-6-13), Rich Manley (6-7-13) & Matt Ius (4-8-12) Rich Manley has atleast one point in each of the teams last eight games while Matt Ius has atleast one point in each of his last five games. The Express have scored 32 goals goals but have some troubles keeping the puck out, giving up 26 goals. The Express have a league 5th best ranked powerplay. Burnaby comes into Vernon with a 3-1-0-1 road record. Burnaby will have to watch all four Vernon lines, and will have to somehow try and beat the strong Vernon defence and goaltending of Graeme Gordon. The Express need to put pressure on the Vipers d-men, and get a lot of pucks and traffic towards Gordon. You the Express don’t want to head back to the Coast with no points, the Vipers will have to be ready to face a hungry Express team. Burnaby has a handful of players that may know a thing or two about the Vernon Vipers, all these kids at one point played for an Interior team last year. Brad Reid (Penticton) Dylan Herold (Merritt & Trail) Luke Challier (Penticton and also was at Vernons training camp last year) Jimmy Geerin (Penticton & Trail) Matt Ridley (Penticton) Jared Chernoff (Westside) Tod Fletcher (Prince George) Stefan Gonzales (Westside) & Harrison May (Merritt) For more on the Burnaby Express and todays game, check out the Burnaby Expressions blog for great coverage on the Express and BCHL, http://expressvoice.blogspot.com/

Players To Watch:

Jon Puskar (7-6-13)
Rich Manley (6-7-13)
Matt Ius (4-8-12)
Garrick Perry (5-3-8)
Brad Reid (2-6-8)
Dylan Herold (4-2-6)
Harrison May (3-3- Record 3.29 GAA)

Heres a look at last year's season series:

September 28th @ Burnaby: Vernon wins 5-2

After falling behind 2-1 after the 1st period Vernon scored four times in the final two periods to defeat Burnaby 5-2. Braden Pimm with two, Kyle Bigos, Ryan Santana & Ryan DePape scored for the Vipers. Mike Collins with two assists, while Bigos & Pimm collected three points each. Max Grassi & Paul De Jersey scored for the Express.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573421

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

Vernon:

Erik Soderlund
Mike Collins
Braden Pimm
Cory Kane
Dylan Walchuk
Jonathan Milhouse
Cole Ikkala
Kevin Kraus
Connor Jones
Dan Nycholat
Drew George
Adam Thompson
Sawyer Mick
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Nick Amies
Bryce Kakoske
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Brendan Persley
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon

Burnaby:

Jon Puskar
Rich Manley
Matt Ius
Garrick Perry
Brad Reid
Dylan Herold
Luke Challier
Jimmy Geerin
Zac Ashdown
Simon Denis
Chris Van Duynhoven
Matt Ridley
Clay Wilson
Jared Chernoff
Tod Fletcher
Stefan Gonzales
Konrad Sander
Brodie Jamieson
Kai Ohs
Sean Dinsmore
Alex Petan
Nick Enegren
Harrison May