Powell River (29-14-1-6) @ Vernon (41-6-0-2)Last Game Played:
Saturday January 23rd Westside defeated Vernon 3-1
Wednesday January 27th Penticton defeated Powell River 3-2
Tonight is the first meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Powell River Kings and the first meeting since last years meeting in Game 6 of the BCHL Finals. These two teams were suppose to play back on November 18th in Powell River but the game was cancelled during the pre-game warm up after a electrical storm blew in and shut off the power. The Vipers are on a single game losing streak, while the Kings are also riding a single game losing streak.
Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:
The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in the league as the BCHL’s best team & #2 overall in Canada with a record of 41-6-0-2 just a single point up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 245 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 94. Vernon is 19-4-0-1 at home & is 22-2-0-1 on the road. The Vipers are 7-3-0-0 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have three players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (24-41-65), Connor Jones (30-34-64) & Braden Pimm (22-35-57). Blake Voth leads the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender. Voth has a record of 12-1 with 3 shutouts and a GAA of 1.51
The Vipers have 13 players from last years Championship team that defeated Powell River in last years League Final.
Getting off to a good start will be key for Vernon.
The Vipers are facing a Powell River team they don’t know much about, other then the clubs record.
Josh Watson (9-7-1 Record-2 Shutouts 2.18 GAA) is the leagues third best goaltender, behind Graeme Gordon. Vernon will have to get lots of pucks and traffic towards Watson.
The Vipers have two tough home games this weekend with Powell River tonight and Langley tomorrow.
Goaltending and specialty teams will be key.
The Vipers will need a win to try and stay one point ahead of the 2nd place Penticton Vees who are just a single point back of the league leading Vipers.
Players To Watch:
Mike Collins (24-41-65)
Connor Jones (30-34-64)
Braden Pimm (22-35-57)
Jonathan Milhouse (19-30-49)
Dylan Walchuk (18-27-45)
Kellen Jones (8-34-42)
Cory Kane (20-21-41)
Bryce Kakoske (12-25-37)
Rob Short (15-21-36)
Cole Ikkala (17-18-35)
Dan Nycholat (4-30-34)
Kevin Kraus (4-19-23)
Curtis Gedig (11-8-19)
Sahir Gill (0-2-2)
Graeme Gordon (29-7 Record-1 Shutout 2.03 GAA)
Blake Voth (12-1 Record-3 Shutouts-1.51 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the Powell River Kings:
The Kings currently sit in 2nd place in the Coastal Conference with a record of 29-14-1-6 The Kings have scored 170 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of the net, giving up 124 goals. Powell River is 18-4-0-3 on home ice but has struggled on the road with a 11-10-1-3 record and are 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games. Jordan Grant is the lone Kings player listed in the leagues top 20 in scoring with (26-30-56) Josh Watson is 4th in the leagues top ten goaltenders with a record of 16-10-1 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 2.16 Michael Garteig is ranked 8th in the leagues top 10 goaltenders with a record of 13-10 with 1 shutout a a GAA of 2.60
The Kings have 6 players returning from last years team that lost in six games to the Vipers in the League Final, those 6 players will be looking for revenge tonight.
The Kings will have to try and defend against all four Vernon lines who play on a regular shift, the Vipers are loaded with depth, skill and speed as the Kings will have to try and shut down the leagues highest scoring team.
Powell River will also have to try and get past the Vipers solid defence and strong goaltending.
Powell River needs to jump on Vernon and pull out a greasy road win.
Tonight should be a very entertaining hockey game with a rematch of last years BCHL Finals.
The Kings are on a current five game road trip, tonight is the 3rd game of this road trip. Powell River defeated Trail 5-1 and lost to Penticton 3-2.
Players To Watch:
Jordan Grant (26-30-56)
Chad Niddery (13-39-52)
Andrew Pettitt (29-21-50)
Matt Garbowsky (24-17-41)
Darcy Huisman (6-34-40)
Matt Bodie (7-21-28)
Ben Schmidt (12-14-26)
Mitch Labreche (10-16-26)
Josh Watson (16-10-1 Record-2 Shutouts 2.16 GAA)
Heres a look at last years season series between these two teams:
September 24th @ Powell River: Powell River wins 4-2
With the league going with a new look to the schedule this season, this was the only meeting between these two teams all season. This was just the Vipers 7th game of the season and the 2nd game of a five game road trip. With the game tied 2-2 in the 3rd, Darcy Oakes would score the game winner at the midway mark of the 3rd and then add an empty netter to give the Kings a 4-2 victory. Erik Vos & Brooks Robinson score the other Kings goals. Rob Short & Steve Tresierra scored the Vipers two goals. Chad Ketting picked up the win making just 17 saves, while Andrew Hammond took the loss making 35 saves. Powell River outshot Vernon 38-19.
http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573402
Heres a look at last years BCHL Finals:
April 3rd @ Powell River: Game 1: Vernon wins 4-0
Tonight was Game 1 of the Fred Page Cup as the Vipers defeated the Kings 4-0 in front of 1,215 fans. Sahir Gill unassisted at 7:48, Connor Jones from Kevin kraus at 10:26 & James Kerr from Cory Kane at 11:41 put Vernon up 3-0 in the 1st period. Kyle Bigos from Kevin Kraus & Mike Collins at 15:39 on the powerplay put Vernon up 4-0 in the 2nd. No scoring in the 3rd as Powell River killed off a two man advantage. Ben Schmidt & Kyle Bigos would drop the gloves in the 3rd as Schmidt would receive a match penalty. Andrew Hammond would make 23 saves for his 3rd shutout of these BCHL Playoffs. Carsen Chubak would make 28 saves in the loss for the Kings. The Vipers welcomed back Cameron Brodie and Mike Collins from injuries. Game 2 is tomorrow night.
3 Stars:
1st Star: Kyle Bigos
2nd Star: Andrew Hammond
3rd Star: Reid Campbell
http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684110
April 4th @ Powell River: Game 2: Vernon wins 3-0
The Vipers are heading home with a 2-0 series lead after a big 3-0 victory tonight in front of just 960 fans. Vernon would kill off a five on three after a scorelss 1st period. Sahir Gill would open the scoring on the powerplay at 2:10 of the 2nd period, assists going to, Kellen Jones & Kyle Bigos. Just 22 seconds later Bryce Kakoske put Vernon up 2-0, with Cory Kane & Kevin Kraus picking up the assists. Braden Pimm would get Vernons final goal of the night on the powerplay at 7:09 of the 3rd period. Bryce Kakoske & Kyle Bigos would collect the assists. Andrew Hammond makes 32 saves for his 2nd straight shutout, while Carsen Chubak makes 33 saves in the loss.
3 Stars:
1st Star: Andrew Hammond
2nd Star: Bryce Kakoske
3rd Star: Kyle Leahy
http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684111
April 7th @ Vernon: Game 3: Powell River wins 3-2 (Overtime)
Kyle Leahy would open the scoring at 3:31 as the Kings finally get on the scoreboard in this series. Neil Chambers and Jordan Grant would collect the assists. The Vipers would tie the game at 16:15 as Kellen Jones would score on the powerplay with assists going to, Sahir Gill & Connor Jones. Vernon would be all over the Kings in the 2nd period but would only manage one goal past Carsen Chubak at 4:01 as Connor Jones would find the back of the net. Sahir Gill & Connor Jones would pick up the assists on the play. Mat Bodie would tie the game at 18:47 on a screened shot from the point wich beat Andrew Hammond. Andrew Pettitt and Jordan Grant would collect the assists. After some good chances by the Vipers in the 3rd both teams would head to Overtime where Jordan Grant beat Hammond blocker side at 4:05 of the extra period to give Powell River the win and get back in the series. Kyle Leahy would pick up the lone assist. Vernon leads the series 2-1.
3 Stars:
1st Star: Jordan Grant
2nd Star: Connor Jones
3rd Star: Sahir Gill
http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684112
April 8th @ Vernon: Game 4: Vernon wins 3-2 (Tripple Overtime)
Mike Collins would open the scoring on the powerplay at 5:22 from Kevin Kraus. Erik Vos would tie things up at 10:42 from Darcy Okakes & Ryan Green. The Kings would dominate the 2nd period scoring just one goal, Jordan Grant at 5:45 from Kyle Leahy & Jason Yee. In 31 games all season the Kings went 21-0 when leading after two periods of play, and 7-0 in these Playoffs. Braden Pimms unassisted goal at 3:13 would tie the game and send it to Overtime. After chances to end it from both teams Vernon pulled away and dominated the final two Overtimes before finally Sahir Gill beat Carsen Chubak at 5:31 of the 3rd OT Connor & Kellen Jones would collect the assists. Andrew Hammond makes 41 saves in the win, while Carsen Chubak makes 67 saves in the loss.
3 Stars:
1st Star: Sahir Gill
2nd Star: Carsen Chubak
3rd Star: Andrew Hammond
http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684113
April 10th @ Powell River: Game 5: Powell River wins 4-1
With the Powell River Kings season on the line, the Kings pulled out a huge must win victory over the Vernon Vipers 4-1 in front of 1137 fans. Neil Chambers opened the scoring for the Kings at 4:31 from Andrew Pettitt. Clay Harvey put Powell River up 2-0 at 10:13 from Kyle Bodie. Powell River would outshoot Vernon 11-5. Sahir Gill would get the Vipers on the scoreboard at 8:04 cutting the lead to 2-1 with Connor and Kellen Jones picking up the assists. Carsen Chubak was solid in the 3rd shutting the door on the Vipers. With Andrew Hammond on the bench, Clay Harvey (unassisted) would get his 2nd of the night into the empty net at 18:54 as Powell River went up 3-1. At 19:34 Reid Campbell would ice the hockey game on the powerplay, Neil Chambers and Justin Hogan collected the assists. Andrew Hammond made 33 saves in the loss, while Carsen Chubak made 24 saves in the win. Vernon with another shot at winning the BCHL Title, coming home for Game 6 Sunday night.
3 Stars:
1st Star: Chad Niddery
2nd Star: Neil Chambers
3rd Star: Clay Harvey
http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684114
April 12th @ Vernon: Game 6: Vernon wins 2-1
Adam Thompson would open the scoring putting the Vipers up 1-0 after the 1st period. Braden Pimms shorthanded goal just over five minutes into the 2nd period would eventually be the game winner. Andrew Pettitt would score the Kings lone goal late in the 2nd period as neither team would score in the 3rd as the Vernon Vipers defeated the Powell River Kings in 6 games to win the BCHL Championship. The Vipers now won their record 10th BCHL Championship. (1970,1972,1988,1989,1991,1992,1996,1999,2003 & now 2009)
3 Stars:
1st Star: Braden Pimm
2nd Star: Cameron Brodie
3rd Star: Carsen Chubak
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684115&link=bchl
Here's a look at both team's rosters:
Vernon:
Mike Collins
Braden Pimm
Cory Kane
Dylan Walchuk
Jonathan Milhouse
Cole Ikkala
Kevin Kraus
Connor Jones
Dan Nycholat
Curtis Gedig
Adam Thompson
David Robinson
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Sahir Gill
Bryce Kakoske
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon
Powell River:
Jordan Grant
Chad Niddery
Andrew Pettitt
Matt Garbowsky
Darcy Huisman
Mat Bodie
Ben Schmidt
Mitch Labreche
Reid Campbell
Justin Dasilva
Daniel Carr
Carter Shinkaruk
Robbie Bailey
Cody Rainaldi
Teagan Waugh
Jason Yee
Brenden Forbes
Brandon Formosa
Klay Kachur
Alex McDougall
Braden Pears
Josh Watson
Michael Garteig
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