(Game Preview) Trail @ Vernon:

Trail (6-16-1-1) @ Vernon (22-1-0-0)

Last Game Played:

Tuesday November 10th Vernon defeated Merritt 6-1
Saturday November 7th Salmon Arm defeated Trail 6-3

Tonight is the third meeting of the season between the Trail Smoke Eaters and the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers. The Vipers are riding a 15 game winning streak heading into tonights game. The Smoke Eaters have dropped two straight games back to back vs. the Salmon Arm Silverbacks over the weekend.

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in the league as the BCHL’s best team with a record of 22-1-0-0 three points up on the Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 125 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 36. The Vipers have won 15 straight heading into tonights contest with Trail. The Vipers come home after a 6-0 road trip facing off in back to back games vs. the Smokes in parents weekend. Vernon is 9-1-0-0 on home ice. The Vipers have four players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (14-23-37), Dylan Walchuk (12-18-30), Braden Pimm (12-19-31) & Jonathan Milhouse (10-19-29). Graeme Gordon & Blake Voth also lead the league as the BCHL’s top two goaltenders. Gordon with a record of 17-1- 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.55 Voth has a record of 5-0 and a GAA of 1.40 Bryce Kakoske, Drew George & Patrick McGillis all improved on the Vipers latest six game road trip, putting up some pretty good numbers. Vernon will welcome back the Jones Twins tonight after returning to the Vipers lineup from the World Jr A Challenge in PEI. The Vipers are 2-0 against the Smoke Eaters this season and need to jump on a Smokies team that hasn’t played in almost a week. Vernon cant take this Trail team lightly and needs a full 60 minute effort if they want to continue their winning ways.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (14-23-37)
Braden Pimm (12-19-31)
Dylan Walchuk (12-18-30)
Jonathan Milhouse (10-19-29)
Connor Jones (12-11-23)
Kellen Jones (4-18-22)
Cory Kane (10-11-21)
Rob Short (9-12-21)
Kevin Kraus (2-14-16)
Cole Ikkala (6-9-15)
Dan Nycholat (2-12-14)
Adam Thompson (2-7-9)
Graeme Gordon (17-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.55 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Trail Smoke Eaters:

The Smoke Eaters currently sit in 8th pkace with a record of 6-16-1-1 three points up on the last place Merritt Centennials. The Smokies have scored 82 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of the net, giving up 122 goals. Trail is 3-11-1-0 on the road and 4-6-0-0 in their last 10 games. Tonight is the first meeting between these two teams since a home and home series back in September. The Smoke Eaters due have a few kids that can put the puck in the net. Tye Lewis (12-13-25), Nick Sandor (12-12-24), Scott Jacklin (6-18-24), Sam Mellor (10-11-21), Travis St. Denis (10-10-20) & Steve Koshey (3-12-15) Trail is going to have to try & stop the leagues highest scoring team, a team that has four solid lines that can put the puck in the net. The Smokies need to get pucks and traffic towards the net in order to beat two of the leagues best goaltenders in Graeme Gordon and Blake Voth. The Smoke Eaters will need a full 60 minute effort in order to come away with just their fourth road win of the season. Former Spokane Chief Michael Betz is suppose to make his Smokies debut tonight vs. the Vipers after joing Trail just days ago. For more info, stats and great coverage on tonights game and the Trail Smoke Eaters, visit Shawns Smoke Eaters Blog, http://smokeeatersblog.blogspot.com/

Players To Watch:

Tye Lewis (12-13-25)
Nick Sandor (12-12-24)
Scott Jacklin (6-18-24)
Sam Mellor (10-11-21)
Travis St. Denis (10-10-20)
Steve Koshey (3-12-15)
Darnell Dyck (8-6-14)
Matt Wilkins (1-10-11)
Wade Bennett (0-10-10)
Paul Mailey (3-6-9)

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

September 18th @ Trail: Vernon wins 7-1

Tonight was the first of a home and home series between these two teams in the Smoke Eaters home opener. Newly acquired defenceman Marc-Antoine Chaput, a 17-year old from Quebec, suited up for Trail after arriving in town today. The Vipers exploded for five 1st period goals taking out the Smoke Eaters 7-1 in front of 1029 fans at Cominco Arena. Cory Kane with 3 goals, Jonathan Milhouse, Steven Weinstein, Braden Pimm & Bryce Kakoske scored for Vernon, Mike Collins picked up 2 assists. Travis St. Denis broke Graeme Gordons shutout midway through the 3rd. Gordon made 23 saves for the win, while Devon Murtagh & Garrett Beckwith split the duties between the pipes for Trail, Murtagh took the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712524&link=bchl

After no scoring in the opening period the Vipers were up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. Mike Collins * Sawyer Mick scored for Vernon. Tye Lewis scored for Trail. Kevin Kraus, Cole Ikkala & Cory Kane scored for the Vipers in the 3rd giving Vernon the 5-1 victory. Graeme Gordon made 19 saves getting the win. Garrett Beckwith made 35 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712532&link=bchl

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

Vernon:

Nils-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
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon

Trail:

Tye Lewis
Nick Sandor
Scott Jacklin
Sam Mellor
Travis St. Denis
Steve Koshey
Darnell Dyck
Matt Wilkins
Wade Bennett
Paul Mailey
Ben Matthews
Tommy Rizzardo
Thomas Abenante
Mitch Kaufmann
Sean Nugent
Eric Walker
Justin Brown
Graeme Strukoff
Josh McEwan
Michael Betz
Kiefer Smiley
Garrett Beckwith