Friday, October 9, 2009

(Game Preview) Vernon @ Penticton:




Vernon (8-1-0-0) @ Penticton (10-2-0)
Last Game Played:

Sunday October 4th Vernon defeated Burnaby 4-2
Wednesday October 7th Penticton defeated Cowichan Valley 6-1

Tonight is the second meeting between the Vernon Vipers & Penticton Vees in less then a week after the Vees were the first team in 22 games (going back to last years Playoffs) to defeat the Vipers skating away with a 2-0 victory last Saturday night in Vernon. Tonight is the first of three straight games for Vernon, while Penticton is playing its first of back to back games and second game in three nights. Visit my Blog after tonights game for my game recap on tonights game. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting with the pre game at 6:45pm live on 107.5 Kiss FM.

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit in 2nd place in the Interior Division with a record of 8-1 four points back of the Division leading Penticton Vees (10-2) The Vipers are coming off a 4-2 victory over the Burnaby Express Sunday afternoon and are looking at revenge after falling to the Vees 2-0 last weekend at home. Mike Collins is the lone Viper in the leagues top 20 in scoring with 14 points. This is the Vipers second straight weekend with three games in three days. Vernon has scored 34 goals and given up just 15 so far this season with the leagues best goals against. The Vipers are 3-0 on the road. In order for the Vipers to defeat the Vees tonight, Vernon is going to once again have to get lots of pucks and traffic towards Sean Bonar who played very well Saturday against the Vipers in the 2-0 win. Specialty teams will also be key and the Vipers need to get their powerplay clicking after going a dreadfull 1-15 in its last three games. The Vees have the leagues second best powerplay, so Vernon will have to try and stay out of the box. Vernon is really going to have to get more quality chances and shots on Bonar, and really have to keep their eyes on Denver Manderson & Beau Bennett who are very dangerous with the puck.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (7-7-14)
Braden Pimm (2-9-11)
Dylan Walchuk (3-7-10)
Jonathan Milhouse (5-5-10)
Cory Kane (5-2-7)
Dan Nycholat (0-7-7)
Connor Jones (1-6-7)
Kellen Jones (1-5-6)
Cole Ikkala (2-4-6)
Kevin Kraus (1-4-5)
Adam Thompson (1-4-5)
Graeme Gordon (7-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.75 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Penticton Vees:

The Vees currently sit in top spot overall in the BCHL with a 10-2 record sitting four points ahead of the 2nd place Vernon Vipers (8-1) Penticton is coming off a big 6-1 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals Wednesday night at home. The Vees who are the first team to defeat the Vipers this year will be looking at giving the Vipers their second loss of the season. Penticton is loaded up front scoring a league high 61 goals, and giving up 31 goals. The Vees are 5-0 on home ice and 8-2 in their last 10 games. Penticton has four players in the leagues top 20 in scoring, (Denver Manderson, Beau Bennett, Garrett Milan, & Alex Szczechura) The Vees will want to get a lot of pucks and traffic on Graeme Gordon who is the leagues 2nd best goaltender. Penticton will have to watch Vernons speed and depth up front who can roll all four lines. The Vees will have their handsfull with the Vipers top line of Cory Kane and the Jones Twins who are always dangerous with the cycle down low. Tonights matchup has the makeup for a great playoff like game as both teams don’t like one another. Make sure and check out Ryan Pinder’s Penticton Vees blog, http://pentictonvees.podbean.com/ for all the latest info and stats on the Vees and the BCHL. Pinder gives a good insight with his game previews and interviews.

Players To Watch:

Denver Manderson (11-20-31)
Beau Bennett (9-16-25)
Garrett Milan (6-8-14)
Ryan Viselli (4-8-12)
Alex Szczechura (6-6-12)
Joey Laleggia (2-9-11)
Joey Holka (6-4-10)
Eric Filiou (4-4-8)
Sean Bonar (8-1 Record-2.26 GAA)

The Vees made one move since the last meeting between these two teams signing (89) born forward Jake Johnson from the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL).

Heres a look at the season series between these two teams:

October 3rd @ Vernon: Penticton wins 2-0

Vernon outshot Penticton 34-15 but lost their first game of the season 2-0 after Denver Manderson (shorthanded) & Joey Holka scored for the Vees. The Vipers had many chances but couldn’t beat Sean Bonar who played very well making 34 saves for the shutout. Graeme Gordon made 13 saves in the loss. Penticton ended Vernon’s 22 game winning streak (going back to Game six of last years BCHL Finals)

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

Vernon:

Erik Soderlund

Penticton:



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