(Game Preview) Vernon @ Nanaimo:

Vernon (19-8-3-6) @ Nanaimo (17-13-1-3)

Today is the first meeting of the season between the defending back to back Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Nanaimo Clippers. Today is the Vipers fourth game of a current six game road trip, Vernon started out the trip with a 5-2 win Wednesday night in Cowichan Valley & a 4-0 victory in Victoria Saturday before tying the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 1-1 last night. Nanaimo is at home finishing off the second of a short two game home stand, before heading on the road for six games. You can listen to today’s game live with Todd Miller, starting with the pre-game show at 2:45pm on 107.5 Kiss FM

Last Game Played:

Saturday, December 11th Vernon tied Alberni Valley 1-1
Friday, December 10th Nanaimo defeated Alberni Valley 4-3 in overtime

Next Game:

Friday, December 17th Vernon @ Penticton
Tuesday, December 14th Nanaimo @ Westside

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

Games Played: 36
Wins: 19
Losses: 8
Ties: 3
Overtime Losses: 6
Home Record: 7-3-2-3
Road Record: 12-5-1-3
Streak: (Unbeaten in eight games)
Last Ten Games: 7-0-2-1
Goals For: 114
Goals Against: 86
Standings: 2nd place

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 7-4-0-2 vs. Nanaimo

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon has outscored Nanaimo 43-39

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 6-0-0-1 at home vs. Nanaimo

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 1-4-0-1 in Nanaimo

Vernon has just one win in Nanaimo since the 2003-04 season. A 5-4 victory back on January, 15th 2010

The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time regular season record

Games Played: 936
Wins: 602
Losses: 242
Ties: 13
Overtime Losses: 82

For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Returning Players:

Bryce Kakoske (90)
David Robinson (90)
Blake Voth (91)
Steve Weinstein (90)
Adam Thompson (90)
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Connor Jones (90)
Mike Collins (90)
Braden Pimm (89)
Cory Kane (90)
Jonathan Milhouse (89)
Kellen Jones (90)
Rob Short (89)
Cole Ikkala (90)
Dan Nycholat (89)
Kevin Kraus (89)
Curtis Gedig (91)
Garrett Noonan (91)
Sahir Gill (92)
Darrin Robak (91)
Graeme Gordon (89)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Today is the Vipers fourth game of a current six game road trip and the final of three straight games

-Blake Voth is 3rd in the leagues top ten goaltenders with a 2.12 GAA

-Vernon has struggled on the powerplay, and are ranked #14 with the man advantage

-The Vipers are unbeaten in eight games

-A win today by the Vipers and Vernon will move into 1st place in the Interior Division

-Philip Patenaude left last night’s game after taking a big hit and didn’t return. If Patenaude isn’t in the lineup the Vipers will be with just four defenceman for today’s game

-This being the Vipers third game in as many day’s, will Vernon have any gas left in the tank after playing in overtime last night?

-The Vipers are 5-2-1-2 vs. the Coastal Conference this season

-Vernon needs to try and get off to a good start, with Nanaimo having the night off last night the Vipers have to keep things simple and not force any turnovers

-Goaltending will be key and will have to come up with the big save when needed this afternoon

-The Vipers have to keep their shifts short and make as little mistakes as possible

Let's take a look at the Nanaimo Clippers:

Games Played: 34
Wins: 17
Losses: 13
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses: 3
Home Record: 12-7-1-1
Road Record: 5-6-0-2
Streak: One game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 7-3-0-0
Goals For: 120
Goals Against: 112
Standings: 5th Place

Returning Players:

Andrew Gladiuk (91)
Kyle Kramer (92)
Brayden Jaw (92)
Colton Cyr (91)
Mike Domsodi (90)
Victor Newell (93)
Todd Gebert (90)
Nick Bell (91)
Tristan Lowenberger (92)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Luc Olivier Blain (89)
Teal Burns (92)
Cody Bremner (90)
Carson Schell (89)
Joe Perry (89)
Nicholas McIntyre (90)
Tyler Mah (90)
Mike Puddifant (91)
Ty Morton (91)
Loic Boivin (90)
Rhys Hadfield (91)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Nanaimo is 4-1 in their last five home games

-The Clippers have played eight of their last eleven games on home ice

-After today’s game, the Clippers play their next six away from home

-The Clippers are pretty good on home ice but have struggled away from home with a below 500 record

-Nanaimo needs to jump on Vernon early and often, with today being the Vipers third straight game in as many days

-The Clippers have just one loss to the Vipers on home ice since the 2003-04 season and need to use home ice to their advantage

-The Clippers are 3-3 vs. the Interior Division this season

-Goaltending will be key

-Specialty teams is always key

-Nanaimo is just four points up on 6th place Alberni Valley and only two points back of 4th place Victoria

Here’s a look at last years season series between these two teams:

Saturday, December 19th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-3

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 1:43 - Cory Kane from Connor Jones and Adam Thompson
Nanaimo Clippers at 7:33 (PP) - Luc Olivier Blain from Cody Bremner and Teal Burns
Vernon Vipers at 10:52 - Jonathan Milhouse from Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat

PERIOD 2

Nanaimo Clippers at 3:28 - Cody Bremner from Teal Burns
Vernon Vipers at 5:14 - Jonathan Milhouse from Connor Jones and Cory Kane
Vernon Vipers at 18:01 (PP) - Adam Thompson from Steven Weinstein and Cory Kane
Nanaimo Clippers at 19:59 - Cody Bremner from Victor Newell

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 15:52 - Jonathan Milhouse from Adam Thompson and Garrett Noonan

Vernon outshot Nanaimo 28-18. Graeme Gordon made 15 saves in the win, while Loic Boivin made 23 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712828

Friday, January 15th @ Nanaimo: Vernon wins 5-4

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 14:09 (PP) - Dylan Walchuk from Curtis Gedig and Sahir Gill

PERIOD 2

Nanaimo Clippers at 7:27 (PP) - Teal Burns from Cody Bremner and Nicholas McIntyre
Nanaimo Clippers at 15:11 (PP) - Nicholas McIntyre from Mike Domsodi and Colton Cyr
Vernon Vipers at 19:24 - David Robinson from Kellen Jones and Connor Jones

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 1:16 - Cole Ikkala from Steven Weinstein and Kevin Kraus
Nanaimo Clippers at 2:01 - Kiefer McNaughton from Mike Domsodi and Tristan Lowenberger
Vernon Vipers at 7:41 (SH) - Kellen Jones from Connor Jones and Steven Weinstein
Nanaimo Clippers at 15:58 - Brayden Jaw from Todd Gebert and Andrew Gladiuk
Vernon Vipers at 19:27 - Connor Jones from Adam Thompson and Dan Nycholat

Vernon outshot Nanaimo 31-22. Graeme Gordon made 18 saves in the win, while Loic Boivin made 26 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712880

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (17-20-37)
Bryce Kakoske (12-21-33)
David Robinson (17-10-27)
Michael Zalewski (10-15-25)
John Knisley (6-18-24)
Aaron Hadley (8-11-19)
Kyle Murphy (8-11-19)
Adam Thompson (4-14-18)
Malcolm Lyles (4-13-17)
Marcus Basara (8-7-15)
Steven Weinstein (2-11-13)
Brett Corkey (0-13-13)
Trevor Fitzgerald (7-5-12)
Max Mowat (1-10-11)
Patrick McGillis (5-4-9)
Darren Nowick (0-7-7)
Todd Skirving (3-3-6)
Colton Sparrow (0-3-3)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)
Zach McPhee (1-0-1)

Kirby Halcrow With Quesnel (5-18-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
With Vernon (2-0-1 Record, 1.56 GAA)
Blake Voth (16-9-2 Record, 2 Shutouts, 2.12 GAA)

Nanaimo:

Ryan Stanimir (14-23-37)
Andrew Gladiuk (14-22-36)
Graeme McCormack (9-24-33)
Kyle Kramer (12-15-27)
Brayden Jaw (6-16-22)
Colton Cyr (13-8-21)
Mike Domsodi (9-11-20)
Brodie Jamieson (4-14-18)
Samuel Labrecque (12-5-17)
Gerry Fitzgerald (7-9-16)
Victor Newell (3-12-15)
Yannick LaFlamme (4-10-14)
Zach Martin (4-9-13)
Myles Fitzgerald (3-6-9)
Leo Fitzgerald (4-4-8)
Todd Gebert (1-4-5)
Kiefer McNaughton (1-2-3)
Nick Bell (0-3-3)
Jesse Ursic (0-2-2)
Brett Hartskamp (0-2-2)
Tristan Lowenberger (0-1-1)
Mike Dopko (0-1-1)

Charles-Andre Pelletier (13-15-1 Record, 1 Shutout, 3.04 GAA)
Charles-Alexy Premont (4-1 Record, 3.81 GAA)