Vernon (33-2-0-2) @ Trail (12-23-1-2)Last Game Played:
Saturday December 19th Vernon defeated Nanaimo 5-3
Saturday December 19th Trail defeated Victoria 4-0
Tonight is the sixth & final meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Trail Smoke Eaters. Vernon comes into tonights game on a two game winning streak. Trail is riding a two game winning streak.
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 33-2-0-2 four points up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored a league high 195 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 66. Vernon has the leagues best road record at 17-0-0-1 Vernon is 7-1-0-2 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have three players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (23-33-56), Connor Jones (23-24-47) & Braden Pimm (15-28-43). Graeme Gordon & Blake Voth also lead the league as the BCHL’s top two goaltenders. Gordon with a record of 24-4 with 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.83 Voth has a record of 9-0 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 1.44 Tonight is the first of a small two game road trip for the Vipers (Trail & Salmon Arm).
This being the Vipers first game back after the Christmas break, Vernon needs to get off to a quick start and not fall behind early.
If Garrett Beckwith gets the start between the pipes for Trail, Vernon needs to get lots of traffic and shots towards the Smokies goaltender. Beckwith made 39 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Vipers at the start of the month.
The Vipers cant take Trail lightly, a team that may be near the bottom of the Interior Division standings, but is fighting for the BCHL’s final playoff spot.
Mike Collins & Connor Jones have 9 pts in five games vs. Trail.
Cory Kane & Braden Pimm have 8 pts in five games vs. the Smokies.
Kellen Jones has 7 pts in five games vs. the Smoke Eaters.
Both Graeme Gordon (3-0) & Blake Voth (2-0) are undefeated against the Smoke Eaters this season.
Cole Ikkala has 6 pts in five games vs. Trail.
Players To Watch:
Mike Collins (23-31-56)
Connor Jones (23-24-47)
Braden Pimm (15-28-43)
Jonathan Milhouse (15-26-41)
Dylan Walchuk (14-25-39)
Kellen Jones (7-29-36)
Cory Kane (16-19-35)
Bryce Kakoske (10-20-30)
Rob Short (12-17-29)
Dan Nycholat (4-25-29)
Cole Ikkala (12-15-27)
Kevin Kraus (3-16-19)
Curtis Gedig (9-5-14)
Graeme Gordon (24-4 Record-1 Shutout-1.83 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the Trail Smoke Eaters:
The Smoke Eaters currently sit in 7th place with a record of 12-23-1-2 one point back of the 6th place Prince George Spruce Kings. The Smokies have scored 140 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of their net giving up 180 goals. Trail is 7-8-0-2 on home ice. Trail is 5-4-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Smoke Eaters have two players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Nick Sandor (21-23-44) & Scott Jacklin (12-31-43) Tonight is the 6th game of a seven game home stand for the Trail Smoke Eaters. For more info, stats and great game coverage check out Shawn Mullins Smoke Eaters Blog, http://smokeeatersblog.blogspot.com/
The Smokies need to jump on the Vipers early, a team that may have some bus legs after the long trip to Trail.
Trail is 0-5 against Vernon this year.
The Smoke Eaters need to play a full 60 minutes in order to have any chance at knocking off the defending RBC Cup Champs.
Travis St. Denis has 4 pts in five games vs. Vernon & needs to be Trails best player if they want to knock off the Vipers.
Sam Mellor & Scott Jacklin both have 3 pts in five games vs. the Vipers.
Trail has been outscored 30-9 in five games vs. the Vipers this year.
The Smokies need to get lots of pucks and traffic towards Graeme Gordon or Blake Voth.
Players To Watch:
Nick Sandor (21-23-44)
Scott Jacklin (12-31-43)
Sam Mellor (20-19-39)
Travis St. Denis (17-20-37)
Steve Koshey (6-22-28)
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
Saturday December 5th @ Trail: Vernon wins 3-2 (Overtime)
Scott Jacklin put Trail up 1-0 after the opening period after scoring on the powerplay at 16:46. Kevin Kraus & Bryce Kakoske put Vernon ahead 2-1 before Matt Wilkins goal at 18:03 tied the game 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. No scoring in the 3rd resulted in both teams heading to overtime for the first time this season. Connor Jones at 3:36 gives the Vipers their 17th straight road victory tying them with the 1989-90 New Westminster Royals for the BCHL record. Vernon outshot Trail 42-25. Blake Voth makes 23 saves for the win improving to 9-0 on the season. Garrett Beckwith makes 39 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712779&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
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
Sam Mellor
Travis St. Denis
Steve Koshey
Darnell Dyck
Paul Mailey
Matt Wilkins
Michael Betz
Mitch Kaufmann
Wade Bennett
Tommy Rizzardo
Ben Matthews
Thomas Abenante
Eric Walker
Sean Nugent
Justin Brown
Graeme Strukoff
Curtis Tonello
Josh McEwan
Garrett Beckwith
Kiefer Smiley
Nick Sandor (21-23-44)
Scott Jacklin (12-31-43)
Sam Mellor (20-19-39)
Travis St. Denis (17-20-37)
Steve Koshey (6-22-28)
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
Saturday December 5th @ Trail: Vernon wins 3-2 (Overtime)
Scott Jacklin put Trail up 1-0 after the opening period after scoring on the powerplay at 16:46. Kevin Kraus & Bryce Kakoske put Vernon ahead 2-1 before Matt Wilkins goal at 18:03 tied the game 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. No scoring in the 3rd resulted in both teams heading to overtime for the first time this season. Connor Jones at 3:36 gives the Vipers their 17th straight road victory tying them with the 1989-90 New Westminster Royals for the BCHL record. Vernon outshot Trail 42-25. Blake Voth makes 23 saves for the win improving to 9-0 on the season. Garrett Beckwith makes 39 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712779&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
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
Sam Mellor
Travis St. Denis
Steve Koshey
Darnell Dyck
Paul Mailey
Matt Wilkins
Michael Betz
Mitch Kaufmann
Wade Bennett
Tommy Rizzardo
Ben Matthews
Thomas Abenante
Eric Walker
Sean Nugent
Justin Brown
Graeme Strukoff
Curtis Tonello
Josh McEwan
Garrett Beckwith
Kiefer Smiley
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