(Game Preview) BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals: Game 7: Powell River @ Vernon:

Game Preview: Powell River (15-7) @ Vernon (11-7)

Last game played:

Game 6: Saturday April 10th Powell River defeated Vernon 5-2

The defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Powell River Kings meet in Game 7 tonight after the Kings defeated the Vipers 5-2 in Game 6 to force Game 7. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45pm

Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers: (11-7)

The Vipers clinched top spot in the BCHL and the Interior Division with a record of 51-6-0-3 and was ranked #2 in all of Canada. Vernon scored a league high 298 goals and broke the Penticton Vees BCHL record for least amount of goals, giving up just 119. Vernon was 25-4-0-1 at home & 26-2-0-2 on the road during the regular season. The Vipers are 9-0-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Vipers had three players in the leagues top 20 in regular season scoring. Connor Jones (36-45-81), Mike Collins (30-46-76) & Braden Pimm (25-43-68). Blake Voth lead the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender. Voth has a record of 21-2 with 3 shutouts and broke the BCHL record with the lowest GAA with 1.79 Graeme Gordon was 3rd in the leagues top 10 goaltenders with a record of 30-7 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 2.06

For just the second time in franchise history, the Vipers have clinched more than 50 wins in a regular season. The Vipers hit the 51-win mark this season one shy of the team and league record. The Vipers won 52 games in the 1998-99 campaign, which they followed up with a national Junior A title. The 51-6-0-3 Vipers also set a new BCHL record for the fewest goals allowed (119). The previous record of 137 was set by the Penticton Vees in 2005-06. Goaltender Blake Voth etched his name into the BCHL annals, setting a record 1.79 goals against average. The rookie tender bettered Nanaimo Clipper net detective Simon Nolet’s 1.98 GAA in 2004-05. Vernon at one time during the regular season went on a 21 game winning streak, one shy of the teams record before falling in overtime to Westside. This years version of the Vernon Vipers has to be one of if not the best Vernon Junior Hockey team Viper fans have ever seen.

1st Round: First Round Bye
2nd Round: Defeated Quesnel in six games
Interior Conference Finals: Defeated Penticton in six games

Home Playoff Record: 6-3
Road Playoff Record: 5-4

Vernon’s powerplay vs. Powell River: 2-20

Vernon is 10-6 all-time in the BCHL Finals

The Vipers come home with a chance to win their 11th BCHL Championship on home ice in Game 7. Vernon’s last Game 7 was back in 2007-08 when the Penticton Vees defeated the Vipers in seven games & went on to win the Fred Page Cup, after the Vipers battled back down 3-1 to force a Game 7. Vernon has a chance at winning their 11th BCHL Championship and the first back to back Championships since the 1991 & 1992 Vernon Lakers won back to back BCHL Championships. Tonight is the Vipers biggest game of the season, with losing just 6 regular season games all year Vernon never really was in must win game type situation through out the regular season. With no real adversity all season Vernon is now in a one game showdown at defending their National Title. Scoring the games first goal is huge as the Vipers are 3-1 in this series when scoring first. Vernon’s 13 returning players from last years Royal Bank Cup winning team all know what it takes to win and will do whatever it takes to keep their title in hand. You have to think the Vipers leadership and veteran players from last years Championship team has the edge, as well as playing at home in front of the hometown fans. Vernon better not forget Powell River defeated the Bulldogs in Port Alberni in Game 7 in the last series, so the Kings know what it takes to win in Game 7 on the road. Vernon needs to play physical, get the forecheck and cycle going down low and get lots of bodies and pucks towards Josh Watson. Vernon is a much different hockey team when doing so. The Vipers need to compete and battle hard and not sit back and wait for opportunities. Vernon needs to try and find ways around a tough Powell River defence. You can through all the stats out the window now in a one game showdown, the Vipers will need a solid 60 minute effort from everyone in order to knock off the Kings. Two evenly matched teams that both want one thing. Tonight is going to be no easy task. You have to think all the pressure is now on Vernon, with just 6 regular season losses and the defending RBC Cup Champions playing on home ice, that the Vipers who were ranked #2 in all of Canada this year are considered to be the favorites.

Key Players To Watch:

Connor Jones (9-9-18)
Kellen Jones (5-11-16)
Sahir Gill (5-9-14)
Rob Short (6-6-12)
Jonathan Milhouse (4-6-10)
Dan Nycholat (3-7-10)
Cole Ikkala (6-3-9)
Braden Pimm (3-5-8)
Adam Thompson (2-5-7)
Graeme Gordon (10-6 Record, 4 Shutouts, 1.95 GAA)

Vernon Vipers Playoff Scoring:

Connor Jones (9-9-18)
Kellen Jones (5-11-16)
Sahir Gill (5-9-14)
Rob Short (6-6-12)
Jonathan Milhouse (4-7-11)
Dan Nycholat (3-7-10)
Cory Kane (2-8-10)
David Robinson (3-7-10)
Cole Ikkala (6-3-9)
Mike Collins (2-6-8)
Braden Pimm (3-5-8)
Adam Thompson (2-5-7)
Kevin Kraus (1-5-6)
Garrett Noonan (3-3-6)
Bryce Kakoske (3-3-6)
Curtis Gedig (1-5-6)
Steven Weinstein (0-5-5)
Dylan Walchuk (1-2-3)
Patrick McGillis (0-0-0)
Darrin Robak (0-0-0)

Blake Voth (1-1 Record, 3.08 GAA)
Graeme Gordon (10-6 Record, 4 Shutouts, 1.95 GAA)

Lets take a look at the Powell River Kings: (15-7)

The Kings finished the regular season in 2nd place in the Coastal Conference with a record of 36-17-1-6 The Kings scored 216 goals and gave up 160 goals. Powell River was 23-4-0-3 on home ice & 13-13-1-3 on the road during the regular season. The Vees are 3-0 at home & 1-2 on the road during these Playoffs. Penticton finished the regular season at 7-3-0-0 in their last 10 games. Josh Watson finished in the leagues top 10 goaltenders. Watson finished with a 21-12-1 record with two shutouts and a GAA of 2.27

1st Round: Defeated Cowichan Valley in five games
2nd Round: Defeated Langley in four games
Coastal Conference Finals: Defeated Alberni Valley in seven games

Home Playoff Record: 8-3
Road Playoff Record: 7-4

Powell River’s powerplay vs. Vernon: 7-24

Powell River is 0-4 all-time in the BCHL Finals

For the second straight series the Powell River Kings have forced a Game 7. Powell River come back down 3-1 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs to win the Coastal Conference Championship and now have come back down 3-2 to force a Game 7 in the Fred Page Cup Finals. You have to think the Kings feel very confident in Game 7 after defeating the Bulldogs in Game 7 in Port Alberni. Powell River who has never won the BCHL Championship is one game away from moving onto their first ever Doyle Cup. The Kings who have played the Vipers very well in this series have eight veteran players back from last years Fred Page Cup Final who lost to the same Vernon Vipers. If the Kings can play like they did in Game 6 they will have a great chance at winning the BCHL Championship. Powell River needs to play a solid defensive road game and try and shutdown the Vipers on home ice. Josh Watson has been solid all series and will have to come up with the big save once again tonight. The Kings need to once again be aggressive on the forecheck and force the Vipers defence into turning over the puck, as well as get lots of pucks and traffic towards Graeme Gordon. Powell River’s leaders and veteran players who have played so well in these playoffs, will be counted on for leadership and to help carry the Kings into the Doyle Cup. Getting the games first goal is key, Powell River is 2-0 in this series when scoring first. Can the Kings defence shut down the Vipers high scoring offence for one more game? Powell River really needs to watch the Jones Twins, as both brothers have done most of Vernon’s scoring this series. Both teams can afford to make any mistakes, one mistake and the puck will be in the back of your net. Both teams need to capitalize on their chances and take advantage of the specialty teams. Powell River's powerplay has done fairly well, while Vernon's has struggled in this series. Two evenly matched teams will have one last game to win the BCHL Championship.

Key Players To Watch:

Mat Bodie (9-22-31)
Matt Garbowsky (12-15-27)
Daniel Carr (15-11-26)
Mitch Labreche (6-11-17)
Chad Niddery (11-9-20)
Cody Rainaldi (5-5-10)
Justin Dasilva (1-11-12)
Darcy Huisman (0-8-8)
Reid Campbell (1-8-9)
Teagan Waugh (3-4-7)
Ben Schmidt (3-5-8)
Josh Watson (15-7 Record, 4 Shutouts- 1.92 GAA)

Powell River Kings Playoff Scoring:

Mat Bodie (9-22-31)
Matt Garbowsky (12-15-27)
Daniel Carr (15-11-26)
Chad Niddery (11-9-20)
Jordan Grant (6-9-15)
Mitch Labreche (6-11-17)
Justin Dasilva (1-11-12)
Cody Rainaldi (5-5-10)
Reid Campbell (1-8-9)
Darcy Huisman (0-8-8)
Ben Schmidt (3-5-8)
Teagan Waugh (3-4-7)
Brenden Forbes (3-4-7)
Andrew Pettitt (1-5-6)
Jason Yee (0-3-3)
Robbie Bailey (0-1-1)
Brandon Formosa (0-1-1)
Klay Kachur (0-1-1)
Braden Pears
Alex McDougall
Carter Shinkaruk

Josh Watson (15-7 Record, 4 Shutouts- 1.92 GAA)
Michael Garteig (0-0 Record)

Heres a look at the series:

Game 1: Friday, April 2nd @ Vernon: Vernon wins 2-1

Kellen Jones at 12:49 on the powerplay opened the scoring for Vernon as the Vipers took a 1-0 lead heading into the 2nd period. No scoring in the 2nd before Connor Jones gave the Vipers a 2-0 lead at 14:19 of the 3rd. Teagan Waugh at 16:01 got the Kings on the board, but it wasn’t enough as the Vipers hung on to take Game 1 2-1. Powell River outshot Vernon 30-29. Graeme Gordon made 29 saves for the win, while Josh Watson made 27 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=812878&link=bchl

Game 2: Saturday, April 3rd @ Vernon: Powell River wins 3-1

Connor Jones opened the scoring on the powerplay at 6:36 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Matt Garbowsky on the powerplay at 18:14 ties the game heading into the 3rd. Cody Rainaldi at 3:05 gives the Kings their first lead of the series, before Mitch Labreche seals the victory with an empty netter at 19:34 giving Powell River the 3-1 win wich ties the series 1-1. The Vipers outshot the Kings 31-26. Josh Watson made 30 saves for the win, while Graeme Gordon made 23 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=812879&link=bchl

Game 3: Monday, April 5th @ Powell River: Powell River wins 4-0

Chad Niddery at 15:12 on the powerplay gave the Kings their first lead of the game and first time this series they have scored the games first goal. It was 1-0 Powell River after the opening period. Cody Rainaldi put the Kings up 2-0 at 5:17. In the 3rd Andrew Pettitt on the powerplay at 48 seconds gave Powell River a 3-0 lead and then Mat Bodie on the man advantage at 6:58 gives the Kings a 4-0 lead. Powell River would defeat Vernon 4-0. The Kings outshot the Vipers 30-28. Josh Watson makes 28 saves for his 4th shutout of the playoffs, while Graeme Gordon made 26 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=812880&link=bchl

Game 4: Tuesday, April 6th @ Powell River: Vernon wins 4-2

Cory Kane opned the scoring at 5:33 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Daniel Carr on the powerplay at 3:35 tied the game 1-1 before Connor Jones at 3:56 re stores Vernon’s lead. Sahir Gill at 19:29 gives the Vipers a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd. Chad Niddery on the powerplay at 14:23 gets the Kings back to within a goal but Kevin Kraus with an empty netter at 19:50 seal’s the Vipers 4-2 victory. Vernon outshot Powell River 27-22. Graeme Gordon made 20 saves in the win, while Josh Watson made 24 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=812881&link=bchl

Game 5: Wednesday, April 8th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 4-2

David Robinson puts Vernon up 1-0 at 2:01 as the Vipers take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd period. Mat Bodie at 9:00 ties the game 1-1 before Kellen Jones at 16:31 gives the Vipers a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd. Rob Short at 5:58 gives Vernon a 3-1 lead before Chad Niddery at 19:02 cuts the lead to one. Jonathan Milhouse would seal the win by adding an empty netter at 19:42 giving the Vipers the 4-2 victory. Vernon leads the series 3-2. Vernon outshot Powell River 41-22. Graeme Gordon made 18 saves for the win, while Josh Watson made 38 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=812882&link=bchl

Game 6: Saturday, April 10th @ Powell River: Powell River wins 5-2

After a scoreless 1st period, Brenden Forbes just 11 seconds into the 2nd gives Powell River a 1-0 lead. Mat Bodie shorthanded at 1:37 puts the Kings up 2-0. Mitch Labreche at 4:18 & Daniel Carr on the powerplay at 9:01 gives Powell River a 4-0 lead heading into the 3rd period. Bryce Kakoske at 12:32 gtes Vernon the the board, before Garrett Noonan at 13:16 cuts the lead to two. Chad Niddery with an empty netter at 19:21 gives the Kings the 5-2 lead and ties the series 3-3. Vernon outshoots Powell River 27-24. Josh Watson makes 25 saves for the win, while Graeme Gordon makes 13 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=812883&link=bchl

Here's a look at the Vipers-Kings Fred Page Cup Schedule:

#1 Vernon Vipers vs #5 Powell River Kings

2010 Fred Page Cup Finals Schedule:

Game #1 - Powell River at Vernon, Friday, April 2nd, 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre
Game #2 - Powell River at Vernon, Saturday, April 3rd, 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre
Game #3 - Vernon at Powell River, Monday, April 5th, 7:00 PM, Powell River Recreation Centre (Hap Parker Arena)
Game #4 - Vernon at Powell River, Tuesday, April 6th, 7:00 PM, Powell River Recreation Centre (Hap Parker Arena)
Game #5 - Powell River at Vernon, Thursday, April 8th, 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre
Game #6 - Vernon at Powell River, Saturday, April 10th, 7:30 PM, Powell River Recreation Centre (Hap Parker Arena)
Game #7 - Powell River at Vernon, Monday, April 12th, 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre