(Game Preview) Vernon @ Salmon Arm:

Vernon (17-1-0-0) @ Salmon Arm (12-7-1-1)

Last Game Played:

Friday October 30th Vernon defeated Merritt 10-4
Saturday October 31st Westside defeated Salmon Arm 5-1

Tonight is the third meeting of the season between the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers. The Vipers are riding a ten game winning streak heading into the teams longest road trip of the season. Tonight is the second of a six game road trip for Vernon. The Silverbacks have won two of the last three games. 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 17-1-0-0 one point back of the league leading Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 97 goals (2nd best) and has give up a league record 29 goals. The Vipers head into Salmon Arm 8-0-0-0 on the road and are 10-0-0-0 in their last 10 games out scoring their opponents 67-16 over those 10 games. The Vipers have five players in the leagues top 20 in scoring, Mike Collins (12-18-30), Braden Pimm (8-16-24), Connor Jones (12-11-23), Dylan Walchuk (8-15-23) & Jonathan Milhouse (7-16-23) Both Graeme Gordon and Blake Voth lead the league as the leagues top two goaltenders. Gordon has a record of 13-1 & a GAA of 1.49 Voth is undefeated as a Viper with a record of 4-0 and a GAA of 1.75 The Vipers will be without forwards, Kellen and Connor Jones who are away playing for Team Canada West at the 2009 World Junior A Challenge in Summerside PEI Former Silverbacks Graeme Gordon and Sawyer Mick will both face off against their former team. Gordon played with Salmon Arm in his first season, playing 24 games back in the 2007-08 season. Mick played 4 games with the Backs last year before joining the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. Tonights game is the Vipers toughest game of the teams six game road trip. Vernon will have to keep their eyes on scoring sensations, Mark Zengerle (14-31-45), David Killip (15-13-28), Travis Statchuk (10-18-28) & Greg Noyes (7-14-21) who are very dangerous around the net. The Vipers will also have to get lots of pucks and traffic towards Tony Ierfino who has played very well against Vernon this year.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (12-18-30)
Braden Pimm (8-16-24)
Connor Jones (12-11-23)
Jonathan Milhouse (7-16-23)
Dylan Walchuk (8-15-23)
Kellen Jones (4-18-22)
Cory Kane (9-11-20)
Rob Short (6-10-16)
Cole Ikkala (6-8-14)
Kevin Kraus (2-11-13)
Dan Nycholat (1-10-11)
Adam Thompson (1-6-7)
Graeme Gordon (13-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.49 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

The Silverbacks currently sit in 3rd place in the Interior Division with a record of 12-7-1-1 eight points back of the 2nd place Vipers. Salmon Arm has scored 85 goals but have given up 77 goals against. The Backs are coming into tonights game 6-4 in their last 10 games and are 5-2-1-1 on home ice. The Silverbacks have three players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mark Zengerle leads the league in scoring (14-31-45), David Killip (15-13-28) & Travis Statchuk (10-18-28) For Salmon Arm to defeat Vernon the team needs their top players to be their best players, the Backs will have to match Vernon Vernons hard work, speed and skill and strong defensive play in order to pick up the two points. Tony Ierfino is also going to have to play well between the pipes facing off against one of the higher scoring teams in the league. The Silverbacks are also going to have to try and get former Silverback Graeme Gordon off his game.

Players To Watch:

Mark Zengerle (14-31-45)
David Killip (15-13-28)
Travis Statchuk (10-18-28)
Greg Noyes (7-14-21)
Tyler Gubb (6-12-18)
Corey Chakeen (8-7-15)
Jagger Dirk (4-9-14)
Josh Manson (1-9-10)
Bobby Lipsett (2-5-7)
Brett Knowles (2-3-5)
Tony Ierfino (11-7 record with a GAA of 3.36)

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

Friday, September 11th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 3-2

The Vipers raised the 2009 RBC Cup banner to the rafters in the teams home opener in a 3-2 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Mike Collins (2 goals) & Braden Pimm (2 assists) lead the attack for the Vipers, Cole Ikkala scored the game winner at 17:23 of the 3rd to give Vernon the 3-2 victory. Graeme Gordon defeated his former team making 21 saves between the pipes. Greg Noyes & Charlie Vasaturo scored for Salmon Arm, Tony Ierfino made 39 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712508&link=bchl

Saturday, September 12th @ Salmon Arm: Vernon wins 4-3 Overtime

Vernon took a 2-0 lead into the 3rd period on goals from Mike Collins and Jonathan Milhouse before the Silverbacks scored three goals in the final period sending the game to Overtime. David Killip, Mark Zengerle & Travis Statchuk scored for Salmon Arm. Dylan Walchuk scored Vernons only goal in the 3rd. Vipers d-man Adam Thompson ended the game at 2.37 of the extra period giving the Vipers the 4-3 win to improve to 2-0 on the season. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 32-26 Graeme Gordon made 23 saves for the win, while Tony Ierfino made 28 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712515&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

Salmon Arm:

Mark Zengerle
David Killip
Travis Statchuk
Greg Noyes
Tyler Gubb
Corey Chakeen
Jagger Dirk
Josh Manson
Devin Gannon
Bobby Lipsett
Charlie Vasaturo
Matt Cassidy
Rick Soo
Brett Knowles
Christopher Hoe
Mike Puddifant
Josh Monk
Devon Roeszler
Jayson Reardon
Justin Krabben
Tony Ierfino
Kurt Williams