(Game Preview) Doyle Cup: Game 3: Vernon @ Spruce Grove:

Game Preview: Vernon (13-8) @ Spruce Grove (13-5)

The Fred Page Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Enerflex Cup Champion Spruce Grove Saints meet in Game 3 of the Doyle Cup tonight. Vernon is coming off a 3-2 victory last night in Game 2. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 5:45pm

Last Game Played: Game 2: Saturday April 17th Vernon defeated Spruce Grove 3-2

Lets take a look at both teams,

Vernon Vipers: (13-8)

2010 Vernon Vipers Playoff Schedule & Results:

1st Round: First Round Bye
2nd Round: Defeated Quesnel in six games
Interior Conference Finals: Defeated Penticton in six games
Fred Page Cup (BCHL Finals): Defeated Powell River in seven games

Home Playoff Record: 7-3
Road Playoff Record: 6-5

After coming off a disappointing 6-5 Overtime loss in Game 1 the defending RBC Cup Champions come up with a solid 3-2 victory in Game 2 last night to force a third and final game in Spruce Grove before heading back to Vernon for the remainder of the series. The Vipers fell behind early in the 2nd period but would eventually score three straight to take a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd and hold on for the 3-2 win. Vernon looked very strong with the puck and on the forecheck and cycle all night. The Vipers controlled the play for most of the night and were by far the better team. Can the Vipers come home with the series lead?

-Win or lose after Game 3 tonight, the remainder of the series will be held back in Vernon.

-The Vipers will need another solid effort tonight, just like last night if the expect to come home with the 2-1 series lead.

-Vernon needs to stick to their game plan, forecheck and get the strong cycle going down low. The Vipers are very hard to get off the puck and defeat when on the cycle.

-Graeme Gordon will have to come up with the big save when needed, you know the Saints will be firing everything and anything towards the veteran goaltender tonight.

-Vernon has to continue to drive towards the goal, get lots of pucks and traffic between the Saints net.

-The Vipers who have been the better of the two teams in the first two games, need to score on their chances and not allow Spruce Grove to hang around with a chance to win or tie the game at the end.

Vernon Vipers Regular Season Scoring:

Connor Jones (36-45-81)
Mike Collins (30-46-76)
Braden Pimm (25-43-68)
Cory Kane (22-33-55)
Jonathan Milhouse (19-34-53)
Kellen Jones (12-41-53)
Rob Short (22-28-50)
Dylan Walchuk (19-28-47)
Cole Ikkala (22-23-45)
Dan Nycholat (7-38-45)
Bryce Kakoske (13-28-41)
Kevin Kraus (5-22-27)
David Robinson (15-10-25)
Adam Thompson (5-20-25)
Steven Weinstein (4-18-22)
Curtis Gedig (11-10-21)
Patrick McGillis (7-14-21)
Garrett Noonan (2-16-18)
Sahir Gill (3-9-12)
Darrin Robak (2-5-7)

Blake Voth (21-2 Record, 3 Shutouts- 1.79 GAA)
Graeme Gordon (30-7 Record, 1 Shutout- 2.06 GAA)

Vernon Vipers Playoff Scoring:

Connor Jones (9-11-20)
Kellen Jones (5-14-19)
Sahir Gill (6-9-15)
Jonathan Milhouse (6-7-13)
Rob Short (6-6-12)
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 (1-4-5)
Patrick McGillis (0-0-0)
Darrin Robak (0-0-0)

Blake Voth (1-1 Record, 3.08 GAA)
Graeme Gordon (11-6 Record, 4 Shutouts, 1.90 GAA)

Vernon Vipers Doyle Cup Scoring:

Kellen Jones (2-2-4)
Braden Pimm (1-2-3)
Connor Jones (2-1-3)
Cole Ikkala (1-1-2)
Kevin Kraus (1-1-2)
Sahir Gill (-0-2-2)
Cory Kane (1-0-1)
Curtis Gedig (0-1-1)
Dan Nycholat (0-1-1)
Adam Thompson (0-1-1)
Mike Collins (0-1-1)

Graeme Gordon (1-1 Record, 3.82 GAA)

Spruce Grove Saints: (13-5)

2010 Spruce Grove Saints Playoff Schedule & Results:

1st Round: First Round Bye
2nd Round: Defeated Bonnyville in four games
3rd Round: Defeated Camrose in five games
Enerflex Cup: (AJHL Finals): Defeated Fort McMurray in seven games

Home Playoff Record: 8-3
Road Playoff Record: 5-2

Win or lose tonight, Game 3 will be the final home game of the season for the Spruce Grove Saints. A win or loss tonight and the remainder of the games will be played in Vernon. The winner of this series moves on to the Royal Bank Cup. After taking Game 1, 6-5 in Overtime, a game where the Saints scored a few soft goals, got some lucky bounces but were outplayed by Vernon come away with the victory. In Game 2 the Saints were outplayed most of the night. Spruce Grove was caught standing around watching the Vipers skate circles around them. The Saints had all kinds of troubles with Vernon’s speed and skill down low, almost left the Vipers untouched at times. Can the Saints head to Vernon with a 2-1 series lead or will they have to try and come back down 2-1 on the road?

-Spruce Grove will be looking for a much better effort tonight in Game 3.

-The Saints need to try and slow down the Vipers speed and skill, something they have had troubles with in the series first two game’s.

-Spruce Grove has to get lots of pucks and shots towards Graeme Gordon and look for the big rebounds.

-The Saints are a much bigger team then Vernon, so need to play physical against the Vipers.

-I don’t think Spruce Grove will be wanting to head to Vernon down 2-1 in the series, so look for a desperate Saints hockey team tonight.

-The Saints need to start getting in the face of the Vipers, try and get them off their game.

Here’s a story from the Edmonton Sun on the Vipers tying the series,

http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/2010/04/18/13627621.html

Spruce Grove Saints Regular Season Scoring:

Joshua Lazowski (26-52-78)
Nate Fleming (23-38-61)
Adam Henderson (21-35-56)
Jordan Draper (22-30-52)
Scott Allen (25-26-51)
Kodie Curran (10-38-48)
Dillon Simpson (12-29-41)
Ryan Kerr (12-17-29)
Brett Cameron (9-20-29)
Brett Switzer (13-14-27)
David Glen (12-13-25)
Liam Darragh (11-14-25)
Josh Keizer (12-11-23)
Carson Cooper (6-15-21)
Malcolm Tomlinson (2-16-18)
Bryce Van Brabant (8-6-14)
Josh Koper (9-2-11)
Shaun Rolling (7-4-11)
Wes McLeod (4-6-10)
Jesse Slobodian (0-10-10)
Rory Connop (1-4-5)
Tim Nolte (2-1-3)
Tyler Hart (1-1-2)

Travis Rolheiser (26-3 Record, 4 Shutouts- 1.58 GAA)
Vincenzo Marozzi (26-1-4 Record, 7 Shutouts- 1.67 GAA)

Spruce Grove Playoff Scoring:

Adam Henderson (14-6-20)
Brett Cameron (9-7-16)
Jordan Draper (6-9-15)
Kodie Curran (3-8-11)
Scott Allen (5-5-10)
Josh Koper (5-5-10)
Joshua Lazowski (3-6-9)
David Glen (3-5-8)
Carson Cooper (2-5-7)
Wes McLeod (2-5-7)
Nate Fleming (1-6-7)
Dillon Simpson (0-6-6)
Josh Keizer (2-3-5)
Bryce Van Brabant (1-4-5)
Ryan Kerr (1-3-4)
Liam Darragh (1-1-2)
Tyler Hart (0-2-2)
Rory Connop (0-1-1)
Tim Nolte (0-1-1)
Brett Switzer (0-0-0)
Malcolm Tomlinson (0-0-0)
Shaun Rolling (0-0-0)
Jesse Slobodian (0-0-0)

Travis Rolheiser (4-4 Record, 1 Shutouts- 2.10 GAA)
Vincenzo Marozzi (8-0 Record, 2 Shutouts- 1.63 GAA)

Spruce Grove Saints Doyle Cup Scoring:

Nate Fleming (2-2-4)
Adam Henderson (1-1-2)
Tim Nolte (1-1-2)
Scott Allen (2-0-2)
Jordan Draper (1-1-2)
Ryan Kerr (0-2-2)
Josh Koper (1-0-1)
Brett Cameron (0-1-1)
Carson Cooper (0-1-1)
Joshua Lazowski (0-1-1)
Dillon Simpson (0-1-1)

Vincenzo Marozzi (1-0 Record, 4.57 GAA)
Travis Rolheiser (0-1 Record, 3.08 GAA)


Let’s take a look at the series:

Game 1: Friday, April 16th @ Spruce Grove: Spruce Grove won 6-5 in Overtime

Cole Ikkala opens the scoring just 1:08 into the hockey game giving Vernon a 1-0 lead. Adam Henderson’s powerplay goal at 11:28 ties the game 1-1. Braden Pimm gives Vernon a 2-1 lead at 16:00 before Josh Koper’s late goal at 19:39 sends the game 2-2 heading into the 2nd period. Cory Kane at 2:21 on the man advantage gives the Vipers a 3-2 lead before Nate Fleming’s powerplay goal ties the game at 6:58. Fleming then give’s Spruce Grove their first lead of the night with a goal at 12:21 Kellen Jones just 1:09 into the 3rd ties the game early. Tim Nolte’s goal at 9:30 gives the Saints their second lead of the game before Connor Jones sends the game to Overtime with a goal at 16:43. In Overtime Scott Allen’s powerplay goal at 5:58 gives the Saints a 6-5 OT victory. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 33-31. Vincenzo Marozzi made 28 saves picking up the win, while Graeme Gordon made 25 saves taking the loss.

http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=819175&link=DoyleCup

Game 2: Saturday, April 17th @ Spruce Grove: Vernon wins 3-2

After a scoreless 1st period, Scott Allen opens the scoring at 4:14 into the 2nd period giving the Saints a 1-0 lead. Kevin Kraus, Connor Jones & Kellen Jones give Vernon a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Jordan Draper at 18:10 makes things interesting but the Vipers would hang on for the 3-2 win and tie the series. Vernon outshots Spruce Grove 38-25. Graeme Gordon made 23 saves for the win, while Travis Rolheiser made 35 saves taking the loss.

http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=819176&link=DoyleCup

Here's a look at the Vipers-Saints Doyle Cup Schedule:

#2 Vernon Vipers vs #1 Spruce Grove Saints

2010 Doyle Cup Schedule:

Sweep First Two Games

Game 1 April 16, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 2 April 17, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 3 April 20, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 4 April 21, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 5 April 23, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 6 April 24, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 7 April 25, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM

Split First Two Games

Game 1 April 16, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 2 April 17, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 3 April 18, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 4 April 21, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 5 April 22, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 6 April 24, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 7 April 25, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM