Friday, December 4, 2009

(Game Preview) Penticton @ Vernon:




Penticton (25-4-0-2) @ Vernon (28-1-0-1)

Last Game Played:

Friday November 27th Westside defeated Vernon 2-1 in double overtime
Sunday November 29th Penticton defeated Trail 4-2

Tonight is the third meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Penticton Vees. Penticton makes its second visit to the Wesbild Centre this year. The Vipers are riding a one game losing streak, while the Vees have won four straight.

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in Canada & in the league as the BCHL’s best team with a record of 28-1-0-1 five points up on the Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 166 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 49. Vernon lost its first game in its last 22 games last weekend with a 2-1 double overtime loss to the Westside Warriors. The Vipers are 12-1-0-1 on home ice and have the leagues best attendance with an average of 1928 fans per game. The Vipers have five players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (22-25-47), Braden Pimm (14-25-39), Dylan Walchuk (13-25-38), Kellen Jones (7-29-36) & Connor Jones (20-15-35). Graeme Gordon & Blake Voth also lead the league as the BCHL’s top two goaltenders. Gordon with a record of 21-2 with 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.64 Voth has a record of 7-0 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 1.43 Kellen Jones has points in seven straight games. Tonight will be another strong test for the Vipers facing the leagues 2nd best team. Penticton gave Vernon its first loss of the season and also took the Vipers to overtime as both teams are 1-1 against one another this year. The Vipers will have to watch the BCHL’s leading scorer in Denver Manderson (21-46-67). Manderson always seems to play well against the Vipers over the years. The Vees have several kids who are very dangerous. Beau Bennett (22-31-53), Alex Szczechura (14-19-33), Garrett Milan (17-19-30), Joey Laleggia (4-23-27), Joey Holka (14-12-26), Ryan Viselli (7-14-21), Eric Filiou (8-12-20), Matt Paltridge (7-13-20), Logan Johnston (8-11-19) & Jake Johnson (6-11-17) Vernon who leads the league in scoring will have to work extra hard tonight with Sean Bonar between the pipes. The Vipers need to get lots of traffic and pucks towards Bonar who is solid between the pipes for the Vees. Bonar is 6th in the league in goaltenders with a 12-4 record. Bonar has two shutouts and a GAA of 2.51 The Vipers are at the midway point in their schedule playing several of the leagues weaker teams in the first half of the season, now facing back to back contenders (Westside & Penticton) the Vipers now face the tougher of the leagues teams in the second half of the season. Vernon needs to match Penticton in all areas and play a full 60 minutes in order to knock off the Vees. Specialty teams will be key tonight. Vernon needs to get off to a good start and not give the Vees a chance to hang around for a chance to win.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (22-25-47)
Braden Pimm (14-25-39)
Dylan Walchuk (13-25-38)
Kellen Jones (7-29-36)
Connor Jones (20-15-35)
Jonathan Milhouse (9-23-32)
Cory Kane (12-17-29)
Rob Short (12-15-27)
Dan Nycholat (4-19-23)
Cole Ikkala (10-13-23)
Bryce Kakoske (6-14-20)
Kevin Kraus (2-16-18)
Adam Thompson (2-11-13)
Graeme Gordon (21-2 Record-1 Shutout-1.64 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Penticton Vees:

The Vees currently sit in 2nd place with a record of 25-4-0-2 five points back of the league leading Vernon Vipers. The Vees have scored 148 goals and given up 68 goals. Penticton is 13-1-0-1 on home ice & 12-3-0-1 on the road. Penticton is 7-2-0-1 in their last 10 games. Vees Captain Denver Manderson is the leagues leading scorer with (21-46-67) Sean Bonar is 6th in the league in goaltenders with a 12-4 record. Bonar has two shutouts and a GAA of 2.51 Denver Manderson & Beau Bennett have points in their last six straight games. Penticton will be in tough facing off against a very strong Vipers team who has lots of speed, skill and depth on all four lines. The Vees need to spend special attention to all four lines and get lots of pucks and traffic on Graeme Gordon. The Vees who gave Vernon its first loss of the season will be looking to get within three points of the league leading Vipers. Penticton needs to stay out of the penalty box against the leagues best powerplay. The Vees a much bigger and more physical team need to take the body against Vernon and try and slow them down. Tonight will be the first of two meetings within the next two weeks. Tonight should be a great playoff like game with a great atmosphere. For more info, stats and great game coverage check out Ryan Pinders Penticton Vees blog, http://pentictonvees.podbean.com/

Players To Watch:

Denver Manderson (21-46-67)
Beau Bennett (22-31-53)
Alex Szczechura (14-19-33)
Garrett Milan (17-19-30)
Joey Laleggia (4-23-27)
Joey Holka (14-12-26)
Ryan Viselli (7-14-21)
Eric Filiou (8-12-20)
Matt Paltridge (7-13-20)
Logan Johnston (8-11-19)
Jake Johnson (6-11-17)


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)

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712575&link=bchl

Friday October 9th @ Penticton: Vernon wins 2-1 Overtime

Mike Collins 2nd period goal looked like the game winner before Alex Szczechura tied the game late in the 3rd at 15:11 sending the game to overtime. Dylan Walchuk setup Rob Short at 2:30 of the extra period giving the Vipers the 2-1 OT victory. Graeme Gordon made 24 saves for the win, while Sean Bonar made 25 saves taking the loss. Vernon outshot Penticton 27-25.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712589


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
Adam Thompson
Sawyer Mick
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Curtis Gedig
Bryce Kakoske
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon

Penticton:

Denver Manderson
Beau Bennett
Alex Szczechura
Garrett Milan
Joey Laleggia
Joey Holka
Ryan Viselli
Eric Filiou
Matt Paltridge
Logan Johnston
Jake Johnson
Isaac Macleod
Ben Sexton
Luke Curadi
Derik Johnson
Taylor Peters
Byron Sorensen
Stefan Nicholishen
Joel Rumpel
Sean Bonar

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