Vernon (28-2-0-1) @ Trail (10-21-1-1)Last Game Played:
Friday December 4th Penticton defeated Vernon 4-1
Friday December 4th Salmon Arm defeated Trail 5-2
Tonight is the 5th meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Vipers are riding a two game losing streak, while the Smokies have also lost two straight. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting at 7:15pm on 107.5 Kiss FM
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 28-2-0-1 three points up on the Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 167 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 53. Vernon lost back to back games last night for the first time all year, falling to Penticton 4-1. The Vipers are 16-0-0-0 on the road, a win tonight & the Vipers will tie the 1989-90 New Westminster Royals BCHL record for most consecutive wins on the road. 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 21-3 with 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.73 Voth has a record of 7-0 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 1.43 Vernon needs to re-group after last nights 4-1 loss and come back with a solid 60 minute effort tonight. After a long bus trip up to Trail the Vipers will want to try and get off to a good start. Vernon needs a better effort from some of its players that were no where to be seen last night. The Smoke Eaters have a few kids that can put the puck in the net and will have to keep their eye on them. Nick Sandor (20-19-39), Scott Jacklin (10-28-38), Travis St. Denis (15-18-33), & Sam Mellor (16-16-32). The Vipers need to jump on a Smokies team that can be dangerous if kept in the hockey game. Specialty teams will be key. The Vipers have outscored the Smokies 27-7 so far this year.
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 (7-14-21)
Kevin Kraus (2-16-18)
Adam Thompson (2-11-13)
Graeme Gordon (21-3 Record-1 Shutout-1.73 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the Trail Smoke Eaters:
The Smoke Eaters currently sit in 7th place with a record of 10-21-1-1 two points back of the Quesnel Millionaires. The Smokies have scored 123 goals but have troubles keeping the puck out of their net giving up 166 goals. After playing most of the first half of the season on the road, Trail is 5-6-0-1 on home ice & 5-15-1-0 on the road. Trail is 4-6-0-0 in their last 10 games. The Smoke Eaters have two players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Nick Sandor (20-19-39) & Scott Jacklin (10-28-38). Michael Betz & Sam Mellor have points in their last six games, while Travis St. Denis has points in his last four games. Tonight is the first of seven straight games on home ice for Trail a team that will also be looking for a good start after having to travel back from Salmon Arm last night. (5-2 loss) The Smoke Eaters who are 0-4 against Vernon this season will have to try and jump on the Vipers and not try and fall behind early. This Vernon team can strike early and often and Trail dosnt want to try and play catchup hockey with the Vipers, or its going to be a long night. The Smokies need to watch all four of Vernon’s lines. The Vipers have a lot of depth and skill up front and not one line can be taken lightly. After dropping their second straight game last night the Vipers could be one angry hockey team so Trail could be in trouble. The Smoke Eaters need to stay out of the penalty box and also watch the Vipers strong penalty kill wich has scored 14 shorthanded goals this year. Trail needs to be physical and do the little things in order to defeat the Vipers. For more info, stats and great game coverage check out Shawn Mullins Smoke Eaters Blog, http://smokeeatersblog.blogspot.com/
Players To Watch:
Nick Sandor (20-19-39)
Scott Jacklin (10-28-38)
Travis St. Denis (15-18-33)
Sam Mellor (16-16-32)
Steve Koshey (6-21-27)
Darnell Dyck (11-10-21)
Paul Mailey (4-12-16)
Michael Betz (7-8-15)
Heres a look at the season series between these two teams:
Friday 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
Saturday September 19th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-1
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
Friday November 13th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 8-4
Vernon was up 3-2 after the 1st period on goals from, Cole Ikkala, Braden Pimm & Drew George. Sam Mellor and Travis St. Denis replied for the Smokies. Specialty teams was the difference in the 2nd period as Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat (powerplay) scored for Vernon, while Travis St. Denis scored his 2nd and 3rd goals of the game on the man advantage. The Vipers put the game away in the 3rd after Dan Nycholat (powerplay), Rob Short & Kellen Jones scored for Vernon in a 8-4 victory. The Vipers have now won 16 straight games. Kiefer Smiley made 42 saves in the loss while Graeme Gordon made 17 saves picking up the win. Vernon outshot Trail 50-21
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712708&link=bchl
Saturday November 14th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 7-1
Cole Ikkala, Connor Jones & Bryce Kakoske put Vernon up 3-0 after 20 minutes of play. Mike Collins & Connor Jones with two put the Vipers up 6-0 after 40 minutes of play. Paul Mailey broke Blake Voths shutout bid at 4:34 of the 3rd getting the Smokies on the scoreboard. Cory Kane added a shorthanded marker giving Vernon the 7-1 victory. Blake Voth made 29 saves for the win, while Kiefer Smiley made 17 saves taking the loss. Garrett Beckwith came in for relief making 17 saves. The Vipers outshot the Smoke Eaters 41-30.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712713
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
Trail:
Nick Sandor
Scott Jacklin
Travis St. Denis
Sam Mellor
Steve Koshey
Darnell Dyck
Paul Mailey
Michael Betz
Matt Wilkins
Wade Bennett
Tommy Rizzardo
Ben Matthews
Mitch Kaufmann
Eric Walker
Sean Nugent
Thomas Abenante
Justin Brown
Curtis Tonello
Graeme Strukoff
Josh McEwan
Garrett Beckwith
Kiefer Smiley
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