Series-Game Preview: Powell River (12-4) @ Vernon (8-4)The defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Powell River Kings meet in the BCHL’s Fred Page Cup Finals for the second straight season & 3rd time in history. Vernon went 1-1 against Powell River during the regular season. The Vipers are coming off a 1st round bye, & defeated the Quesnel Millionaires in the 2nd round in six games. & won the Interior Conference Championship defeating the Penticton Vees in six games. Powell River is coming off a 1st round victory of the Cowichan Valley Capitals in five games and a 2nd round sweep over the Langley Chiefs, and then winning the Coastal Conference Championship in seven games over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45pm
Vernon’s Home & Away Record vs. Powell River:
At Home: 1-0
On The Road: 0-1
Powell River’s Home & Away Record vs. Vernon:
At Home: 1-0
On The Road: 0-1
Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Powell River This Season:
2-7
Powell River’s Powerplay vs. Vernon this season:
0-6
Lets take a look at both teams,
Vernon Vipers: (8-4)
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: 4-2
Road Playoff Record: 4-2
The Vipers & Kings are meeting for the second straight season in the BCHL’s Fred Page Cup Final. Last year Vernon knocked off Powell River in six games to win their 10th BCHL Championship. (League record) The Vipers have 13 players from last years Championship team back again this season, so experience and leadership is in Vernon’s favor. Vernon is loaded up front with four solid lines that have all been contributing during these playoffs. The Vipers defence & goaltending have given up the least amount goals these playoffs with 23. Graeme Gordon has really stepped up his game come playoff time with four shutouts. The Vipers are going to have to try and stop the highest scoring team in these playoffs, Powell River has scored 60 goals these playoffs and have some kids that can put the puck in the net. Vernon is also going to have to get lots of pucks and traffic towards Josh Watson. Specialty teams and goalteing will be key in the Finals.
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 Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs. Powell River:
Cory Kane (0-3-3)
Braden Pimm (0-2-2)
Rob Short (2-0-2)
Mike Collins (1-1-2)
Dan Nycholat (0-1-1)
Dylan Walchuk (1-0-1)
Connor Jones (0-1-1)
Cole Ikkala (1-0-1)
Kellen Jones (1-0-1)
David Robinson (0-1-1)
Adam Thompson (1-0-1)
Sahir Gill (-1-1-)
Blake Voth (1-1)
Vernon Vipers Playoff Scoring:
Kellen Jones (4-8-12)
Connor Jones (5-6-11)
Rob Short (5-4-9)
Cole Ikkala (6-3-9)
Jonathan Milhouse (3-6-9)
Sahir Gill (4-5-9)
Mike Collins (2-7-9)
Braden Pimm (3-5-8)
Cory Kane (1-6-7)
Dan Nycholat (3-4-7)
Adam Thompson (3-3-6)
David Robinson (1-5-6)
Garrett Noonan (2-3-5)
Steven Weinstein (0-5-5)
Bryce Kakoske (2-3-5)
Kevin Kraus (0-5-5)
Curtis Gedig (1-3-4)
Dylan Walchuk (1-2-3)
Patrick McGillis (0-0-0)
Darrin Robak (0-0-0)
Blake Voth (1-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
Graeme Gordon (7-3 Record, 4 Shutouts, 1.49 GAA)
Powell River Kings: (12-4)
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: 6-2
Road Playoff Record: 6-2
Powell River comes into the League Final still looking for their first BCHL Championship. You can bet the players from last years team that lost to Vernon will be looking for revenge. The Kings who had home ice during last years Final lost the first two games at home. This season the Kings start the series on the road and will be looking to steal a game or two in Vernon. I don’t think many fans expected Powell River to get by the Alberni Valley Bulldogs or for that matter come back from down 3-1 to Alberni & win the series in seven games. The Kings will be riding that high and will be tough to beat with a very strong 6-2 record away from home. Can Powell River try and contain the Vipers depth up front? The Kings will have to try and get lots of traffic towards Graeme Gordon who is playing his best hockey of the season. Powell River will want to try and get the crowd out of the game early and score the all important first goal. Both teams look fairly even, wich should make for a very entertaining series.
Powell River Kings Regular Season Scoring:
Chad Niddery (16-50-66)
Jordan Grant (32-31-63)
Andrew Pettitt (36-25-61)
Matt Garbowsky (27-26-53)
Mat Bodie (8-34-42)
Darcy Huisman (6-35-41)
Mitch Labreche (14-22-36)
Justin Dasilva (10-24-34)
Ben Schmidt (15-18-33)
Reid Campbell (11-18-29)
Daniel Carr (10-17-27)
Teagan Waugh (3-10-13)
Brenden Forbes (6-6-12)
Carter Shinkaruk (5-7-12)
Cody Rainaldi (4-7-11)
Robbie Bailey (3-7-10)
Jason Yee (1-8-9)
Brandon Formosa (3-4-7)
Klay Kachur (1-4-5)
Braden Pears (1-4-5)
Alex McDougall (1-3-4)
Josh Watson (21-12-1 Record, 2 Shutouts- 2.27 GAA)
Michael Garteig (15-11 Record, 1 Shutout- 2.92 GAA)
Powell River Kings Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs. Vernon:
Chad Niddery (2-1-3)
Mat Bodie (1-2-3)
Ben Schmidt (0-2-2)
Brenden Forbes (0-1-1)
Braden Pears (0-1-1)
Matt Garbowsky (1-0-1)
Andrew Pettitt (1-0-1)
Daniel Carr (0-1-1)
Mitch Labreche (0-1-1)
Justin Dasilva (0-1-1)
Josh Watson (1-1)
Powell River Kings Playoff Scoring:
Matt Garbowsky (11-13-24)
Daniel Carr (13-11-24)
Mat Bodie (6-16-22)
Jordan Grant (6-9-15)
Mitch Labreche (4-9-13)
Chad Niddery (7-6-13)
Darcy Huisman (0-8-8)
Reid Campbell (1-7-8)
Justin Dasilva (1-6-7)
Teagan Waugh (2-4-6)
Cody Rainaldi (3-3-6)
Ben Schmidt (2-3-5)
Brenden Forbes (2-3-5)
Andrew Pettitt (0-3-3)
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 (12-4 Record, 3 Shutouts- 1.95 GAA)
Michael Garteig (0-0 Record)
Heres a look at the regular season series between Vernon & Powell River:
Friday, January 29th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-2
Mike Collins & Dylan Walchuk put Vernon up 2-0 after the 1st period, while Cole Ikkala gave the Vipers a 3-0 lead heading into the 3rd period. Kellen Jones at 4:43 put Vernon up 4-0 and in full control before the Kings would reply with two quick goals from Chad Niddery cutting the lead to 4-2. Rob Short would seal the victory for the Vipers scoring at 18:24 giving Vernon the 5-2 victory. Blake Voth made 22 saves getting the win, while Josh Watson made 26 saves taking the loss. Vernon outshot Powell River 31-24
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712933
Thursday, February 4th @ Powell River: Powell River wins 3-2 in overtime
Adam Thompson on the powerplay at 4:48 puts the Vipers on the board early before Andrew Pettitt at 15:12 ties the game 1-1. No scoring in the 2nd period. Just 25 seconds into the 3rd Mat Bodie shorthanded gives the Kings the 2-1 lead. Rob Short at 15:59 ties the game 2-2 sending the contest to overtime. In overtime Matt Garbowsky at 54 seconds gives the Kings the 3-2 victory. Josh Watson makes 32 saves picking up the win, while Blake Voth made 29 saves taking the loss. Vernon outshot Powell River 34-32
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=795756
Here’s a look at the previous Playoff meetings between these two teams:
1990-91 Vernon defeated Powell River 4-0
2008-09 Vernon defeated Powell River 4-2
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
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