Game Preview: La Ronge (1-0) @ Vernon (0-1)Last Game Played:
Saturday, May 1st Dauphin defeated Vernon 6-5 (Overtime)
Saturday, May 1st La Ronge defeated Oakville 3-2 (Overtime)
The Fred Page Cup & Doyle Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Credit Union Cup Champion La Ronge Ice Wolves meet in the Royal Bank Cup for the first time in history. The Vipers are coming off a 1st round bye, & defeated the Quesnel Millionaires in the 2nd round in six games before winning the Interior Conference Championship defeating the Penticton Vees in six games. Vernon then defeated Powell River for the second straight season winning their record 11th BCHL Championship in seven games over the Kings & then had to take the Spruce Grove Saints to seven games to win back to back Doyle Cups to advance to the RBC Cup for the 8th time in team history. Vernon now will be looking for their record 6th National Championship. The Ice Wolves swept the Humboldt Broncos in three games. La Ronge then defeated the Flin Flon Bombers in six games before knocking out the Battleford North Stars in six games. The Ice Wolves then won their first ever SJHL Title defeating the Yorkton Terriers in six games as well. With the win the Ice Wolves got an automatic berth into the RBC Cup but still had to play the MJHL Champion Dauphin Kings for the Anavet Cup. Win or lose both teams would be heading to the RBC Cup. Dauphin defeated La Ronge in fives games. La Ronge is looking for their first ever National Championship in team history. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 4:45pm
Lets take a look at both teams,
Vernon Vipers: (0-1)
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.
GOAL: 1989 born veteran Graeme Gordon and Saskatchewan rookie 1991 born Blake Voth were both stingy all year. Gordon went 30-and-7, 2.06, .912. Voth was 21-and-2, 1.79, .929. Gordon was the main netminder in the playoffs and he appears to have full confidence of the coaching staff after posting numbers that were not on par with regular season and playoffs in the Doyle Cup (4-3, 2.95, .882).
DEFENSE: 1989 born Dan Nycholat led the blueline with 45-points in 58-games during the regular season and also led the defense in points in the playoffs. Kevin Kraus is the other 1989 born veteran of the group, although there is only one rookie playing regularly (Garrett Noonan).
FORWARDS: Twin brothers Connor and Kellen Jones should garner lots of attention and there’s good reason why. Connor led the team in goals and points in the playoffs with Kellen right behind in the scoring parade. Connor also had a team leading 36-goals and 81-points in the regular season. 1989 born Braden Pimm had 25-goals and 43-assists in 59-games during the regular season and after an uneventful playoff, he came back to be a major offensive cog in the wheel in the Doyle Cup against Spruce Grove. The Vipers will look for more from Mike Collins, who dented the twine 30 times in the regular season, but scored just twice in 19-playoff games. 1992 born Sahir Gill continues to improve and figures to be on the scoresheet often.
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
Doyle Cup (BC-Alberta): Defeated Spruce Grove in seven games
Home Playoff Record: 9-5
Road Playoff Record: 7-5
The Vipers are looking at repeating as National Champions since the 1990-1991 Vernon Lakers last repeated as Champs. Vernon is heading back to the Royal Bank Cup for the second year in a row. No team has won back to back National Championships since the 1990-1991 Vernon Lakers. Last year the Humboldt Broncos went back to the RBC for a chance to win back to back titles but lost in the final to Vernon 2-0.
The Vipers are coming off a 6-5 Overtime loss last night in the opening day of the RBC Cup. Vernon with two different two goal leads and a late lead in the 3rd couldnt hold on for the victory after giving up the OT winner just 43 seconds into the extra period.
Here’s a write up along with the box score’s from last night’s game,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25056&game_id=1710
Tonight the Vipers are in a must win situation. Going down 0-2 in a roud robin tournament like this dosnt give you much of a chance at qualifying in the semi-finals. Both these teams dont really know much about one another other then stats. Im sure both teams watched each others games yesterday and last night to get an idea on who their oppononents are. Vernon can’t take La Ronge or for that matter any team at the RBC lightly. La Ronge has been the cinderella team come the postseason upsetting some of he SJHL’s top team’s along the way. Let’s take a look at the key’s to tonight’s conest.
-The Vipers need to get off to a good start like last night, try and get the game’s first goal and build from their.
-Vernon cant be giving up two goal leads in game’s like these. They need to bare down and try and play with that killer instinct.
-You could say tonight is a must win, the Vipers dot want to start the RBC Cup at 0-2.
-The Vipers are going to need some solid goaltending from Graeme Gordon, Gordon needs to make the big save when needed.
-Vernon needs to be a little more physical, play in the grey area’s and go to the net a little more.
-The Vipers need to stick to their game and play solid defensively.
-Will Connor Jones be back in the lineup tonight?
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)
La Ronge Ice Wolves: (1-0)
The Ice Kings finished the regular season in 4th place in the Itech Division with a record of 29-21-3-5 The Ice Wolves scored 20 goals and gave up 194 goals. La Ronge had four players in the regular season’s top 20 in scoring Doug Lindensmith (28-34-62), Ben Findlay (15-39-54), Mike Alexander (12-42-54), Liam Brennan (19-28-47) & Dustin Stevenson (11-36-47) Adam Bartko & Joel Danyluk were # 7 & 17 in the regular season’s top 20 goaltenders. Adam Bartko went 21-10-2-3 and a GAA of 2.93 Joel Danyluk went 8-10-0-2 and a GAA of 3.43
GOAL: The Ice Wolves go into the tournament with excellent depth everywhere. 1990 born Joel Danyluk took over from 1990 born Adam Bartko in the Credit Union Cup final against Yorkton and he appeared to have the better success against Dauphin in the ANAVET as well. Still, expect both to play in the RBC Cup.
DEFENSE: 1989 born Dustin Stevenson has won many awards this season (SJHL Player Of The Year and Playoff MVP being the main ones). 1989 born Mike Alexander is just as important and he hopes to be back to full health after missing a chunk of the playoffs. 1989 born Kirk Moore and 1989 born Colton MacPherson round out a top four that has to be as good as any in the country.
FORWARDS: 1990 born Doug Lindensmith led the team in scoring in the regular season and playoffs. His grit has evolved into allowing him to become a more complete player. 1989 born Liam Brennan will take all the big face offs and his three-goal performance in the SJHL clincher against Yorkton proves he’s a big game performer. 1991 born rookie Marc-Andre Carre can be pretty dynamic in his own right and then throw in the likes of 1989 born Aaron DeCorby, 1990 born Ben Findlay, and 1989 Dan Conacher and there’s no reason to think the Ice Wolves can’t score with the best of them. Leo Lacourciere and Taylor Piller have national championship experience with Humboldt last year.
Players To Watch:
LIAM BRENNAN
good skater … good puck skills … lethal on the penalty kill (league-leading 4 shorthanded goals) … good size and frame … solid up-and-down winger … plays with grit … more of a goal scorer than a playmaker … hard, accurate shot
DOUG LINDENSMITH
plays a responsible, two-way game … good offensive skills (team-leading 62 points) … back-checks well … provides grit … very dangerous on the penalty kill … solid in all three zones … not afraid to go into the corners or to the front of the net
DUSTIN STEVENSON
great leadership skills … quarterbacks power play … good shot … gets shot on net often … good patience with the puck … sees the ice very well … makes intelligent passes … likes to play physical … not afraid to get his hands dirty … committed to St. Lawrence for 2010-11
Here’s a good story on La Ronge getting ready for the RBC Cup,
http://www.sjhl.ca/news_item.aspx?news_id=1723
Here’s a article on three kid’s from Campbell River playing for La Ronge,
http://www.sjhl.ca/news_item.aspx?news_id=1724
For more info and stat’s visit the Ice Woles website,
http://www.icewolves.ca/
2010 La Ronge Playoff Schedule & Results:
1st Round: Defeated Humboldt in three games
2nd Round: Defeated Flin Flon in six games
3rd Round: Defeated Battleford in six games
SJHL League Final: Defeated Yorkton in six games
Anavet Cup: Lost to Dauphin in five games
La Ronge will be trying to go 2-0 with a win over the defending Champion Vernon Vipers tonight. The Ice Wolves who have surprised many through out this postseason run are playing with alot of confidence right now. Yesterday afternoon the Ice wolves opened the RBC Cup with a 3-2 OT win over Oakville to start the tournament 1-0
Here’s a write alog with the box score’s on yesterdays game,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25056&game_id=1709
Let’s take alook at the key’s to tonight’s game for La Ronge,
-The Ice Wolves will have to try and slow dow or stop the Vipers speed and skill up front.
-La Ronge a big team with 16 players over 6 feet need’s to use their size and weight and try and knock the Vipers around.
-Goaltending is always key come the postseason.
-La Ronge Head Coach Bob Beatty know’s all about the RBC Cup, coaching the Humboldt Broncos to the 2003 RBC Cup Championship.
-A win by the Ice Wolves and they move atop the standings with a 2-0 record.
-La Ronge is going to have to watch Vernon’s penalty kill, as it can be very dangerous.
La Ronge Regular Season Scoring:
Doug Lindensmith (28-34-62)
Ben Findlay (15-39-54)
Mike Alexander (12-42-54)
Liam Brennan (19-28-47)
Dustin Stevenson (11-36-47)
Aaron Decorby (25-20-45)
Marc Andre Carre (21-22-43)
Travis Eggum (16-24-40)
Travis Gordon (16-22-38)
Dan Conacher (19-17-36)
Nolan Souchotte (10-11-21)
Taylor Piller (6-15-21)
Aaron Enns (9-10-19)
Richard Cameron (8-11-19)
Colton MacPherson (6-13-19)
Kirk Moore (4-14-18)
Dayton Fossum (6-11-17)
Phil Belanger (3-6-9)
Taylor Greenbank (3-3-6)
Robert Monfore (2-4-6)
Skyler Hladun (1-4-5)
Leo Lacourciere (0-2-2)
Adam Bartko (21-10-2-3 Record, 3 Shutouts- 2.93 GAA)
Joel Danyluk (8-10-0-2 Record, 1 Shutout- 3.43 GAA)
La Ronge Playoff Scoring:
Doug Lindensmith (9-13-22)
Dustin Stevenson (10-11-21)
Marc Andre Carre (8-10-18)
Ben Findlay (7-8-15)
Dan Conacher (7-8-15)
Liam Brennan (4-10-14)
Mike Alexander (1-11-12)
Travis Eggum (5-6-11)
Taylor Piller (4-5-9)
Kirk Moore (1-6-7)
Leo Lacourciere (3-3-6)
Colton MacPherson (1-5-6)
Nolan Souchotte (2-3-5)
Aaron Decorby (1-3-4)
Aaron Enns (2-2-4)
Dayton Fossum (0-4-4)
Travis Gordon (0-3-3)
Richard Cameron (2-1-3)
Robert Monfore (2-1-3)
Phil Belanger (0-0-0)
Taylor Greenbank (0-0-0)
Skyler Hladun (0-0-0)
Adam Bartko (11-2-4 Record – 1.77 GAA)
Joel Danyluk (4-0 Record, 1 Shutout- 3.43 GAA)
For more info and stats on the Royal Bank Cup, check out the RBC website,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/25056/la_id/1.htm
Royal Bank Cup Standings:
Team GP W L PTS GF GA
1 Dauphin Kings 1 1 0 2 6 5
2 La Ronge Ice Wolves 1 1 0 2 3 2
3 Brockville Braves 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Oakville Blades 1 0 1 0 2 3
5 Vernon Vipers 1 0 1 0 5 6
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