Friday, December 18, 2009

(Game Preview) Victoria @ Vernon:


Victoria (19-12-2-5) @ Vernon (31-2-0-2)

Last Game Played:

Saturday December 12th Penticton defeated Vernon 3-2 double overtime
Wednesday December 16th Victoria defeated Salmon Arm 4-0

Tonight is the first meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Victoria Grizzlies. After winning 21 straight games the Vipers have just three wins in their last six games. Vernon comes into tonights game on a one game losing streak. Victoria 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 31-2-0-2 four points up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored a league high 182 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 61. The Vipers are 14-2-0-1 on home ice. Vernon has the leagues best road record at 17-0-0-1 & had a chance over the weekend in Penticton at breaking the BCHL record for most consecutive road wins in a row with 18 set by the 1989-90 New Westminster Royals, but fell 3-2 in double overtime. Vernon is 7-1-0-2 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have two players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (23-31-54) & Braden Pimm (15-28-43). Two weeks ago Vernon had five players in the leagues top 20 in league scoring. Graeme Gordon & Blake Voth also lead the league as the BCHL’s top two goaltenders. Gordon with a record of 22-4 with 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.78 Voth has a record of 9-0 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 1.44

The Vipers have just three wins in their last six games.

Tonight is the first meeting between these two teams since last years Royal Bank Cup in Victoria.

The Vipers need to jump on the Grizzlies a team that is currently on a five game road trip.

It may take the first period for both teams to try and get to know one another.

Vernon who has struggled offensively scoring just four goals in their last three losses.

The Vipers who once had the leagues best powerplay has struggled with the man advantage and need to get back to the basics while on the powerplay.
Vernon needs to get lots of traffic and pucks towards Ryan Holfeld who has back to back shutouts with wins over Merritt & Salmon Arm.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (23-31-54)
Braden Pimm (15-28-43)
Connor Jones (22-18-40)
Dylan Walchuk (13-25-38)
Kellen Jones (7-29-36)
Jonathan Milhouse (11-24-35)
Cory Kane (13-17-30)
Rob Short (12-17-29)
Bryce Kakoske (10-18-28)
Cole Ikkala (12-13-25)
Dan Nycholat (4-20-24)
Kevin Kraus (3-16-19)
Curtis Gedig (6-5-11)
Graeme Gordon (22-4 Record-1 Shutout-1.78 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Victoria Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies currently sit in 4th place in the Coastal Conference with a record of 19-12-2-5 three points back of the Powell River Kings & four points back of the Surrey Eagles. The Grizzlies have scored 138 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of their net giving up 120 goals. Victoria is 11-5-2-1 on home ice but have struggled on the road with a 8-7-0-4 record. Victoria is 6-2-0-2 in their last 10 games. The Grizz have two players in the leagues top 20 in league scoring, Dustin Mowrey (25-18-43) & Alex Allan (17-25-42). Goaltender, Ryan Holfeld is 10th in the leagues top 10 goaltenders. Holfeld has a 6-5 record with two shutouts and a GAA of 2.88 Madison Dias has points in six straight games.

Victoria will have to watch all four of Vernon’s lines, a team wich can play all four lines on a regular shift wich all can contribute on the scoresheet.

The Grizzlies will have to spend special attention to Vernons penalty kill who is very dangerous scoring a league high 16 shorthanded goals.

Victoria needs to get off to a good start and not fall behind early as the Vipers play very well defensively and are very tough with a lead down the stretch.

The Grizzlies will need to get lots of pucks and traffic on either Graeme Gordon or Blake Voth, two of the leagues best goaltenders.
The Grizz are 2-0 on this current five game road trip.

Players To Watch:

Dustin Mowrey (25-18-43)
Alex Allan (17-25-42)
Brandon Fagerheim (14-21-35)
Jordan Heywood (9-26-35)
Joel Lowry (8-21-29)
Brad Pawlowski (8-18-26)
Madison Dias (5-17-22)

Heres a look at year’s season series between these two teams:

Saturday, October 25th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 3-1

The Grizzlies and Vipers played their one and only meeting of the regular season. Ryan DePape & Chris Crowell put the Vipers up 2-0 after the 1st period. No scoring in the 2nd period, before Sahir Gill put Vernon ahead 3-0 in the 3rd. Victoria’s Jordan Heywood got the Grizz on the scoreboard at 16:58 but it was too little too late as Vernon defeated Victoria 3-1. Graeme Gordon made just 17 saves for the win, while Anthony Grieco made 44 saves taking the loss. Vernon outshot Victoria 47-18.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573499

2009 Royal Bank Cup:

Chris Crowell put Vernon up 1-0 at 16:57 on the powerplay. Cody Bremner tied the game at 2:41 of the 2nd period. Bryce Kakoske at 6:52 regained Vernons lead, before Brian Nugent, Sam Higgins & Jonathan Milhouse gave Victoria a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of play. Kellen Jones at 6:05, with Andrew Hammond on the bench for the extra attacker, Mike Collins tied the game 4-4 at 18:12 sending the game to overtime. Cole Ikkala at 9:17 gives the Vipers the 5-4 ot victory as Vernon battles back from two goals down after two periods of play. Andrew Hammond picks up the win, while Anthony Grieco takes the loss. Victoria outshot Vernon 32-31.

http://hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=56550&game_id=1605

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

Victoria:

Dustin Mowrey
Alex Allan
Brandon Fagerheim
Jordan Heywood
Joel Lowry
Brad Pawlowski
Madison Dias
Dylan Nowakowski
Derek Bacon
Graeme McCormack
Spencer Copp
Wesley Myron
Gregory Simpson
Jared Eng
Jimmy Carter
Bryce Twa
Nick Buchanan
Sam Grist
Jake Baker
Brett Kolins
Sean Robertson
Ryan Holfeld
Colin Fernandes

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