Sunday, October 11, 2009

(Game Preview) Alberni Valley @ Vernon:


Alberni Valley (6-2-1-0) @ Vernon (9-1-0-0)

Last Game Played:

Saturday October 10th Vernon defeated Cowichan Valley 14-0
Saturday October 10th Salmon Arm defeated Alberni Valley 3-1

Today is the first meeting of the season between the Vernon Vipers & Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The Vipers are playing their third game in three days as the Bulldogs are also playing their third game in three days and fourth game in six days. Todays game is the Bulldogs final game of a four game road trip after playing Tuesday in Victoria (5-5) Friday in Merritt (9-3 win) & Saturday in Salmon Arm (3-1 loss)

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit in 2nd place in the Interior Division with a record of 10-1 three points back of the Division leading Penticton Vees (11-2-0-1) The Vipers are coming off a big 14-0 blowout victory over Cowichan last night. Mike Collins jumped up to 5th in league scoring ((9-9-18) while Braden Pimm now has made the leagues top 20 in scoring sitting in 17th spot with (3-12-15) The Vipers have now scored 50 goals while giving up just 16. Vernon improves its home record to 6-1 with its only loss vs. Penticton. The Vipers will have a much tougher opponent this afternoon as the Bulldogs come into town sitting in 4th place with a record of 6-3-1-0 and should give the Vipers a good run today. Vernon is going to have to jump on Alberni Valley early after road games in Merritt & Salmon Arm Friday & Saturday night, both teams are playing their third game in three days, so will see what team has the most gas left in the tank.
Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (9-9-18)
Braden Pimm (3-12-15)
Dylan Walchuk (3-10-13)
Connor Jones (6-7-13)
Kellen Jones (2-10-12)
Jonathan Milhouse (5-7-12)
Cory Kane (5-4-9)
Cole Ikkala (4-5-9)
Dan Nycholat (0-8-8)
Kevin Kraus (1-5-6)
Adam Thompson (1-5-6)
Rob Short (3-2-5)
Graeme Gordon (8-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.66 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Alberni Valley Bulldogs:

The Bulldogs currently sit in 4th place in the Coastal Conference with a record of 6-3-1-0 The Dogs have just one player in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mitch MacMillan is 10th in league scoring with (10-6-16) Frank Slubowski is 8th in league leaders for goaltenders with a 6-2-1 record-1 shutout and a GAA of 2.39 Alberni Valley has scored 34 goals and given up 30 goals against. Alberni Valley is 5-1 on home ice but just 500 on the road with a record of 1-2-1 The Bulldogs have three former Vipers who at one point either played for Vernon or tried out attending the Vipers training camp this past summer. Trent Dorais (1-2-3) played the last two seasons with the Vipers. Frank Riddle (0-0-0) & Jesse Halikas (0-3-3) both were at the Vipers training camp but were cut after some pre season games. The Bulldogs will have to try and stop the Vipers speed, skill and four lines that have a lot of depth. Alberni Valley is also going to have to try and get lots of traffic and shots on Graeme Gordon who is the leagues 2nd best goaltender. Make sure and check out the Hammers Bulldogs blog, http://www.hammersdogs.blogspot.com/ for all the latest info and stats on the Bulldogs and the BCHL. Hammer gives a good insight with his game previews and interviews.

Players To Watch:

Mitch MacMillan (10-6-16)
David Dziurzynski (4-7-11)
Mark MacMillan (5-4-9)
Johnny Rogic (3-4-7)
Kevin Ross (1-6-7)
Frank Slubowski (6-2-1 record-1 shutout-2.39 GAA

The Bulldogs have made just one deal since September:

09-Sep-09 The Alberni Valley Bulldogs Hockey Club acquires the playing rights of Frank Riddle (D)(90) from the Burlington Cougars Hockey Club of the OJHL in exchange for future considerations.

Heres a look at last year's season series between these two teams:

Sunday November 9th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 7-1

The Vipers scored seven straight goals going on to the 7-1 win. Vernon held period leads of 2-0 after the 1st, & 6-0 after the 2nd period. Cory Kane, Chris Crowell, Sahir Gill, Connor Jones, Braden Pimm, Ryan Santana & Kellen Jones scored for Vernon. Mitch MacMillan scored the Bulldogs lone goal. Colin Rundell made 36 saves taking the loss. Graeme Gordon makes 25 saves in the win. The Vipers outshot the Bulldogs 43-26.


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

Vernon:


Alberni Valley:

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