Game Preview: Merritt @ Vernon:

Merritt (9-8-1-0) @ Vernon (9-5-1-3) 7pm start

Tonight is the second of seven meetings between the Vipers & Centennials. Merritt leads the season series 1-0. You can listen to tonight's game live with Graham Turnbull on 107.5 Kiss FM starting with the pre-game show at 6:45pm

Last Game:

Friday, October 25th Penticton defeated Vernon 6-5 in double overtime
Thursday, October 24th Prince George defeated Merritt 7-4

Next Game:

Friday, November 1st Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Sunday, October 27th Merritt @ Salmon Arm

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon is 51-13-2-8 vs. Merritt

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon has outscored Merritt 296-182

Since the 2003-04 season Vernon is 23-5-1-4 at home vs. Merritt

Since the 2003-04 season Vernon is 22-5-1-5 in Merritt

The Vipers are 3-4-1-2 in their last ten games at home vs. the Centennials

The Vipers are 3-4-1-2 in their last ten games on the road vs. the Centennials

The Vipers are 3-4-1-2 in their last ten games vs. Merritt

The Vipers last win at home vs Merritt was a 3-2 double overtime victory back on Saturday, March 9th 2013

The Centennials last win in Vernon was a 3-2 overtime victory back on Saturday, September 21st 2013

The Vipers last win in Merritt was a 2-1 victory back on Wednesday, March 6th 2013

The Centennials last win at home over Vernon was a 4-3 double overtime victory on Friday, February 15th 2013

The Vipers went 2-3-1-1 last season vs the Merritt Centennials

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

Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vernon Vipers return home after a 6-5 double overtime loss in Penticton last night.  The Vipers wrapped up a four game road trip where they went 2-2.  Vernon has one six wins in their last eight games sits in 3rd place one point back of 2nd place West Kelowna and two points back of Division leading Penticton.  Tonight is the Vipers first game of a current five game home stand.             

Mason Blacklock (15-9-24) leads the Vipers in goals with fifteen and in points with twenty four

Vernon Vipers 2013-14 Regular Season Stats:

Games Played: 18
Wins:  9
Losses: 5
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses:  3
Home Record:  3-1-1-2
Road Record: 6-4-0-1
Goals For: 62
Goals Against:  60
Streak: One game losing streak
Standings:  3rd Place

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

Jason Bird (93)
Mason Blacklock (94)
Dexter Dancs (95)
TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Logan Mick (96)
Brendan Persley (93)
Ryan Renz (93)
Colton Sparrow (93)
Michael Statchuk (94)
Austin Smith (93)
Danny Todosychuk (94)

Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:

Liam Board (93)
Brett Corkey (92)
Bryce Eviston (94)
Andrew Tegeler (92)
Craig Martin (95)
Mitch McAllister (94)
Marc Hetnik (92)
Michael Roberts (95)
Braeden Russell (93)
Geoff Crisfield (93)

Vernon’s Home record vs. Merritt this season:

0-0-0-1

Vernon’s Road record vs. Merritt this  season:

0-0-0-0

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Merritt this season:

Liam Coughlin (0-1-1)
TJ Dumonceaux (0-1-1)
Mason Blacklock (1-0-1)

Austin Smith (0-1 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Vernon has the leagues 16th best powerplay

-The Vipers have the BCHL's 6th best penalty kill

Lets take a look at the Merritt Centennials:

The Merritt Centennials are making their second visit of the season to Kal Tire Place are coming off a 7-4 loss in Prince George Thursday.  The Centennials who won the first meeting of the season in overtime back in September sit in 4th place three points back of Vernon and one point up on 5th place Salmon Arm.  Tonight is the second game of a current four game road trip for the Cents who have just two wins in their last six games. 

For more on the Centennials please visit Dustin Scafe's Merritt Centennials blog,

http://dustinscafe.blogspot.ca/

Scott Paterson (8-8-16) leads the Centennials in goals with eight while Jeff Wight (6-11-17) leads the Centennials in points with seventeen

Merritt Centennials 2013-14 Regular Season Stats::

Games Played: 18
Wins:  9
Losses: 8
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses: 0
Home Record: 4-4-1-0
Road Record: 5-4-0-0
Goals For: 59
Goals Against: 52
Streak: One game losing streak
Place:  4th Place

Merritt Centennials Returning Players:

Jeff Wight (95)
Scott Patterson (93)
Payton Schaefer (93)
Sam Johnson (94)
Tyler Martin (93)
Dane Birks (95)
Sebastien Pare (93)
Diego Cuglietta (95)
Bennett Huber (94)
Russell Sanderson (94)

Merritt Centennials Departing & traded players from last years team:

Regan Soquila (93)
Derek Husiman (92)
Silvan Harper (92)
Sean Maktaak (92)
Kevin Lohan (93)
Brendan Lamont (94)
Dylan Chanter (95)
Richard Sabourin (92)
Brent Fletcher (92)
Charlie Donlin (93)
John Saunders (94)
Tyler Steel (93)

Merritt's Home record vs. Vernon this season:

0-0-0-0

Merritt's Road record vs. Vernon this season:

1-0-0-0

Merritt's scoring leaders vs. Vernon this season:

Gavin Gould (2-0-2)
James Neil (0-2-2)
Shane Poulsen (0-1-1)
Adam Tracey (0-1-1)
Payton Schaefer (1-0-1)
Malik Kaila (0-1-1)
Scott Paterson (0-1-1)

Connor LaCouvee (1-0 Record)

-Merritt has the leagues 2nd best powerplay

-The Centennials have the BCHL's 9th best penalty kill

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon Vipers:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096

Merritt Centennials:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224100