(Game Preview) Vernon @ Merritt:

Vernon (33-11-4-9) @ Merritt (21-29-1-6)

Tonight is the sixth and final meeting of the regular season between the defending back to back Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Merritt Centennials. Tonight is the back of a home and home series after the Centennials defeated the Vipers 3-2 in overtime Friday night at the Wesbild Centre. Since then the Cents were blown out 8-2 in Langley Saturday night. You can listen to the game live with Todd Miller and Don Klepp, starting with the pre-game show at 6:45 pm on 107.5 Kiss FM

Last Game Played:

Friday, February 11th Merritt defeated Vernon 3-2 in overtime
Saturday, February 12th Langley defeated Merritt 8-2

Next Game:

Friday, February 18th Trail @ Vernon
Thursday, February 17th Prince George @ Merritt

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

Games Played: 57
Wins: 33
Losses: 11
Ties: 4
Overtime Losses: 9
Home Record: 16-5-2-5
Road Record: 17-6-2-4
Streak: Two game losing streak
Last Ten Games: 7-2-0-1
Goals For: 185
Goals Against:137
Standings: 1st Place

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon is 45-6-0-6 vs. Merritt

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon has outscored Merritt 258-131

Since the 2003-04 season Vernon is 20-2-0-3 at home vs. Merritt

Since the 2003-04 season Vernon is 19-1-0-4 in Merritt

The Vipers are 8-0-0-2 in their last ten games at home vs. the Centennials

The Vipers are 9-0-0-1 in their last ten games on the road vs. the Centennials

The Vipers are 7-0-0-3 in their last ten games vs. Merritt

The Vipers are 22-0-0-3 in their last 25 games vs Merritt

The Vipers last loss in Merritt was a 4-3 overtime loss back on Friday, November 5th 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: 957
Wins: 616
Losses: 245
Ties: 15
Overtime Losses: 84

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)

Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Merritt this season:

5-18

At Home vs. Merritt:

1-0-0-2

On The Road vs. Merritt:

1-0-0-1

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Merritt this season:

Dylan Walchuk (4-3-7)
David Robinson (3-3-6)
John Knisley (1-5-6)
Steven Weinstein (2-2-4)
Darren Nowick (1-3-4)
Marcus Basara (2-1-3)
Michael Zalewski (1-2-3)
Malcolm Lyles (1-2-3)
Bryce Kakoske (1-2-3)
Ryan Renz (1-2-3)
Kyle Murphy (0-3-3)
Max Mowat (0-2-2)
Aaron Hadley (0-2-2)
Brett Corkey (1-1-2)
Dane Muench (0-2-2)
Adam Thompson (0-1-1)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)

Blake Voth (2-2 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Tonight is the second game of a home and home series between these two teams

-Tonight is a huge game, as Vernon has just a three point lead on second place Salmon Arm and Penticton

-The Vipers have lost back to back games for the first time since January 6th and 7th when Vernon lost back to back games to Westside and Langley

-Vernon has just two losses in their last twelve road games

-The Vipers have the league's 5th best penalty kill

-The Vipers have the league’s second best goal’s against, giving up just 137 goals this season

-Vernon is 20-3-3-8 when scoring the games first goal

-The Vipers are 13-8-1-1 when giving up the first goal of the game

-The Vipers are ranked 8th in the CJHL National Rankings

-Tonight is the Vipers final road game of the regular season

-Blake Voth (24-11-3 Record, 4 shutouts) is second in the league's top ten goaltenders with a 2.12 GAA

-Vernon's powerplay is 12th in the BCHL

-Steve Weinstein has three goals and eight assists in sixteen career games vs. Merritt

-Dylan Walchuk has six goals and seven assists in eight career games vs. the Cents

-The Vipers need to get off to a good start and can’t take the Cents lightly

-Bryce Kakoske has seven goals and thirteen assists in seventeen career games vs. Merritt

-Blake Voth is 6-0-0-2 with one shutout against Merritt in his career

-Adam Thompson has two goals and three assists in fifteen career games vs. the Centennials

-Vernon is going to have to get lots of pucks and traffic towards either Tyler Steel or Lino Chimienti who have both played well against the Vipers this year

-Patrick McGillis has two goals and one assist in nine career games vs. Merritt

-The Vipers need to get off to an early start and jump on a struggling Centennials hockey club

-Vernon needs to start playing a more full 60 minutes and preparing for the playoffs

Let's take a look at the Merritt Centennials:

Games Played: 57
Wins: 21
Losses: 29
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses: 6
Home Record: 13-10-0-4
Road Record: 8-19-1-2
Streak: One game losing streak
Last Ten Games: 2-8-0-0
Goals For: 149
Goals Against: 205
Standings: 6th Place

For more info, stats and great coverage on the Centennials, please visit Brian Wiebe’s Merritt Centennials blog, http://merrittcentennials.blogspot.com/

Returning Players:

Silvan Harper (92)
Jeff Jones (91)
David Sabey (91)
Steve Wall (91)
Steve Tresierra (90)
Kameran Crawford (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Dustin Johnson (90)
Colton Sobchak
Derek Hills
Alex Valenti
Mitch Jones
Matt Mazzarolo
Ryne Bodger
Daniel Chang
Lucas Daoust
Sam Gemmell
Austin Baecker
Keith Hamilton
Cole Holowenko
Jeff Zmurchyk

Merritt’s Powerplay vs. Vernon this season:

5-18

At Home vs. Vernon:

1-0-0-1

On The Road vs. Vernon:

2-1-0-0

Merritt’s scoring leaders vs. Vernon this season:

Jeff Jones (2-3-5)
Evan Stack (0-4-4)
Regan Soquila (3-1-4)
Max Vallis (2-1-3)
Chad Brears (1-2-3)
Stephen Wall (0-3-3)
Steve Tresierra (1-1-2)
Sean Maktaak (1-1-2)
Brandon Pfeil (1-1-2)
Kameran Crawford (0-1-1)
Jakob Reichert (0-1-1)
Reece Willcox (0-1-1)
Brent Fletcher (0-1-1)
Billy Marshall (0-1-1)
Dustin Lebrun (1-0-1)

Tyler Steel (2-1 Record)
Lino Chimienti (1-0 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Merritt has five former Vipers on their team. David Sabey, Jeff Jones and Tyler Steel who all were cut from the Vipers training camp over the past two season’s. Steve Tresierra & head coach-gm Luke Pierce both played in Vernon at onetime

-Former Vipers defenceman, Steve Tresierra has one goal and three assists in eleven career games vs. the Vipers

-Former Vipers tryout Jeff Jones has two goals and five assists in eleven career games vs. Vernon

-Former Viper tryout, Tyler Steel is 2-1 against his former team making 56 saves in both Cetennial victories

-Four out of the five games between these two teams have gone to overtime, with the Centennials coming away with three victories in the extra period

-Merritt’s powerplay is ranked 14th in the BCHL

-The Centennials have the 7th best penalty kill in the league

-The Cents have struggled at the wrong time of year, winning just two games in their last ten games

-Merritt has scored just 149 goals on the year wich is 2nd from the bottom of the BCHL behind Quesnel

-Tonight is the first game of a current three game home stand, as the Cents will finish the regular season on home ice

-Merritt has just one victory in their last six home games

-The Cents have been struggling and need to get off to a good start

-The Centennials have had a lot of success against the Vipers this season, winning three of the five meetings between both teams

-Goaltending will be key for both teams

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

Tuesday, September 21st @ Vernon: Merritt wins 5-4 (double overtime)

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 3:34 - Dylan Walchuk from Marcus Basara and David Robinson
Merritt Centennials at 5:50 (PP) - Regan Soquila from Stephen Wall
Merritt Centennials at 19:43 (PP) - Dustin Johnson from Kameran Crawford and Jeff Jones

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 11:17 (PP) - Steven Weinstein from Bryce Kakoske and Kyle Murphy

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 3:53 - Marcus Basara from Dylan Walchuk and David Robinson
Merritt Centennials at 6:44 (PP) - Jeff Jones from Dustin Johnson and Max Vallis
Merritt Centennials at 16:52 (PS) - Dustin Johnson (unassisted)
Vernon Vipers at 19:28 - Dylan Walchuk from John Knisley and Philip Patenaude

OVERTIME PERIOD 2

Merritt Centennials at 2:20 - Jeff Zmurchyk from Stephen Wall

Vernon outshot Merritt 34-24. Tyler Steel made 30 saves picking up his first career BCHL win, while Bryton Udy took the loss in his BCHL debut.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=839996&link=bchl

Sunday, October 3rd @ Merritt: Vernon wins 4-3 (Overtime)

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Merritt Centennials at 2:34 - Regan Soquila (unassisted)

PERIOD 2

Merritt Centennials at 3:28 - Max Vallis from Jeff Jones and Jakob Reichert
Vernon Vipers at 4:28 - Bryce Kakoske from Michael Zalewski
Vernon Vipers at 10:02 - Michael Zalewski from Adam Thompson
Merritt Centennials at 12:48 - Max Vallis (unassisted)

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 1:53 - Marcus Basara from Max Mowat and John Knisley

OVERTIME PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 4:36 - David Robinson from Dylan Walchuk and Adam Thompson
Vernon outshot Merritt 31-18. Blake Voth made 15 saves getting the win, while Jared Anderson made 27 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840247&link=bchl

Friday, November 5th @ Merritt: Merritt wins 4-3 in overtime

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 0:29 (PP) - Michael Zalewski from John Knisley and Malcolm Lyles
Vernon Vipers at 8:44 - John Knisley from Michael Zalewski and Aaron Hadley
Vernon Vipers at 10:05 - Todd Skirving from Nicholas Kerr and Darren Nowick

PERIOD 3

Merritt Centennials at 12:45 (PP) - Steve Tresierra from Evan Stack and Brent Fletcher
Merritt Centennials at 16:43 - Jeff Jones from Regan Soquila and Reece Willcox
Merritt Centennials at 19:06 (PP) - Sean Maktaak from Steve Tresierra and Brandon Pfeil

OVERTIME PERIOD 1

Merritt Centennials at 1:45 - Brandon Pfeil from Chad Brears and Sean Maktaak

Merritt outshot Vernon 38-29. Tyler Steel made 26 saves for the win, while Blake Voth made 34 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840248&link=bchl

Tuesday, January 18th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 6-0

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 1:47 - Malcolm Lyles from Steven Weinstein and John Knisley

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 2:12 (PP) - Steven Weinstein from Dylan Walchuk and Darren Nowick Vernon Vipers at 11:45 - Brett Corkey from Kyle Murphy and Ryan Renz Vernon Vipers at 15:20 (PP) - Dylan Walchuk from Darren Nowick and Dane Muench

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 18:53 - Ryan Renz from David Robinson and Kyle Murphy Vernon Vipers at 19:22 - David Robinson from Bryce Kakoske and Ryan Renz

Vernon outshot Merritt 36-19. Blake Voth made 19 saves for the win-shutout, while Tyler Steel made 30 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=839997&link=bchl

Friday, February 11th @ Vernon: Merritt wins 3-2 in overtime

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Merritt Centennials at 8:51 - Dustin Lebrun from Stephen Wall

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 9:10 (PP) - Darren Nowick from John Knisley and Brett Corkey Vernon Vipers at 17:44 - Dylan Walchuk from Dane Muench and Adam Thompson

PERIOD 3

Merritt Centennials at 2:40 - Regan Soquila from Evan Stack and Jeff Jones

OVERTIME PERIOD 1

Merritt Centennials at 4:35 - Chad Brears from Billy Marshall and Evan Stack
Vernon outshot Merritt 35-22. Lino Chimienti made 33 saves in the win, while Blake Voth made 19 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=839998&link=bchl

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (23-29-52)
David Robinson (29-16-45)
Bryce Kakoske (15-29-44)
Kyle Murphy (15-24-39)
John Knisley (9-25-34)
Michael Zalewski (12-17-29)
Adam Thompson (7-21-28)
Malcolm Lyles (8-19-27)
Marcus Basara (11-15-26)
Darren Nowick (9-16-25)
Aaron Hadley (9-14-23)
Steven Weinstein (5-18-23)
Patrick McGillis (12-11-23)
Brett Corkey (1-22-23)
Trevor Fitzgerald (7-11-18)
Max Mowat (2-13-15)
Ryan Renz (4-10-14)
Colton Sparrow (1-5-6)
Zach McPhee (3-1-4)
Dane Muench (1-3-4)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)

Kirby Halcrow With Quesnel (5-18-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
With Vernon (8-4-1 Record, 2.09 GAA)
Blake Voth (24-11-3 Record, 4 Shutouts, 2.12 GAA)

Merritt:

Jeff Jones (20-36-56)
Regan Soquila (19-24-43)
Max Vallis (21-15-36)
Evan Stack (13-19-32)
Steve Tresierra (9-18-27)
Chad Brears (4-14-18)
Jakob Reichert (6-11-17)
Dustin Lebrun (10-6-16)
Stephen Wall (7-9-16)
Billy Marshall (4-12-16)
David Sabey (4-11-15)
Brandon Pfeil (6-9-15)
Sean Maktaak (5-8-13)
Reece Willcox (5-7-12)
Kameran Crawford (1-10-11)
Blaine Bokenfohr (3-7-10)
Richard Sabourin (0-8-8)
Brent Fletcher (2-5-7)
Silvan Harper (2-5-7)
Jon-Paul Witkop (1-2-3)
Dylan Playfair (0-1-1)
Brett Kolins (0-0-0)

Lino Chimienti (14-15-1 Record, 1 Shutout, 3.09 GAA)
Tyler Steel (7-15 Record, 1 Shutout, 3.51 GAA)