Trail @ Vernon: (Game Preview)

Vernon (41-14-1-3) @ Trail (25-30-2-2)

Today will be the 8th & final regular season meeting between these two hockey clubs. Vernon leads the season series 5-2. This is the fourth straight weekend these two teams have faced off against one another. Vernon is coming off back to back losses over the weekend losing 4-3 to Westside Friday & 5-3 last night in Penticton. The Vipers are 7-3-0-0 in their last 10 games. After winning 7 straight, the Vipers have just 4 wins in their last 7 games. Trail is in a tail spin as of late, losing both games in a home & home series to the Merritt Centennials. The Cents defeated the Smokies 3-2 Friday and 4-3 last night. The Smoke Eaters are 1-9-0-0 in their last 10 games. This will be the last regular season game of the year for both teams, before heading into the playoffs. For great coverage and interviews from tonight’s game, please check out Trails play by play man, Shawn Mullin’s Smoke Eaters blog, http://smokeeatersblog.blogspot.com/ Shawn does a great job covering the Smokies and the BCHL. I always enjoy his thoughts and comments on the Smoke Eaters along with what he has to say on the game.

Heres a look at the season series:

October 4th @ Vernon: Trail wins 5-2

The Smoke Eaters would go ahead 3-1 in the 2nd period and not look back, going home with the 5-2 victory over the Vipers. JF Boisvert lead the Trail attack with 3 pts. Andrew Pickering, Ryan Bulach, Nick Sandor, & Paul Mailey all collected 2 pts each. Paul Barclay made 33 saves in the win, & Andrew Hammond made 28 saves taking the loss. Braden Pimm was the lone bright spot for the Vipers, scoring 2 goals.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573437

November 14th @ Trail: Trail wins 3-2

Tied 2-2 heading into the 3rd Marco Raimmondo stands on his head keeping Vernon off the scoreboard, as the Vipers outplayed the Smoke Eaters in the final frame but couldnt solve the strong goaltening from Raimondo. Ryan Bulach beats Andrew Hammond with just 35 seconds remaining to put the Smoke Eaters up 3-2, Chris Crowell then hits the post in the dying seconds with Hammond on the bench for the extra attacker as Vernon falls to Trail 3-2. Raimondo makes 25 saves earning 1st star.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573551

December 9th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 2-0

The Vipers would get goals from Mike Collins and Rob Short as Andrew Hammond only has to make 19 saves in earning the shutout, as Vernon gets its first win over Trail this season. Vernon outshoots Trail 28-19.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573625

January 3rd @ Vernon: Vernon wins 4-1

Vernon outshoots Trail 40-22 defeating the Smoke Eaters 4-1. Don’t let the score fool you, the Vipers had to earn tonights victory, having to work hard scoring two goals in the 3rd period to pull away with the win. Kevin Kraus led the way for Vernon with 3 assists. Braden Pimm chipped in with 2 assists. Goals from Mike Collins, Kellen Jones, Chris Crowell, & Rob Short. Steve Koshey scored the lone Trail goal. Graeme Gordon made 21 saves getting the win, while Marco Raimondo made 36 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573688

January 30th @ Trail: Vernon wins 4-1

The Vipers would score three goals in under two minutes during the 2nd period enroute to a 4-1 win. Goals from, Cole Ikkala, Braden Pimm, Kellen Jones & Ryan Santana. Andrew Hammond made 21 saves getting the victory. The lone Trail goal came from, Paul Mailey. Marco Raimondo allowed four goals on just 14 shots before being pulled in favour of Paul Barclay who finished the remainder of the game. Barclay made 15 saves between the pipes not allowing a goal.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573763

February 6th @ Trail: Vernon wins 6-0

Mike Collins scored the game winner late in the 1st period in a 6-0 win over the Smoke Eaters. A very tight checking game with both teams getting some chances. Heading into the 3rd period this was anybodys game as Vernon was still up 1-0, the Vipers would score five goals in the final frame putting the game away. Cory Kane, Kellen Jones with two, Mike Collins & Cole Ikkala would round out Vernon’s scoring. Paul Barclay was chased from the Trail net after giving up four goals, “AP” Peter Alexander would take over giving up the final two Vernon goals. Graeme Gordon made 20 saves for the shutout. Tonights game was alot different then the score indicated.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573782

February 13 @ Trail: Vernon wins 6-3

Before the game the 1939 Trail Smoke Eaters were hourned for it was 70 years ago today Trail won the world championship. The Vipers jumped out to 3-0 lead on goals from, Rob Short, Steven Weinstein (PP) & Cole Ikkala before the Smokies battled back tying the game on goals from, Brett Corcoran (PP) Sean Nugent, & Nick Sandor (PP) Specialty teams took over come the midway mark of the 3rd as Connor Jones & Cole Ikkala (2nd) scored on the powerplay for Vernon. Mike Collins added an empty netter to put the game away in a 6-3 Vipers victory. Graeme Gordon made 18 saves for the win, while Paul Barclay made 33 saves in the loss. Riley Loyst & JF Boisvert both collected two points. Kevin Kraus, Cameron Brodie, Cory Kane & Cole Ikkala collected two point nights for the Vipers.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573801

Key Players To Watch:

Vernon:

Connor Jones 59 pts
Braden Pimm 54 pts
Kellen Jones 51 pts
Mike Collins 49 pts
Chris Crowell 42 pts
Cory Kane 41 pts
Sahir Gill 38 pts
Cameron Brodie 24 pts
Andrew Hammond 26-12-1 record-2.36 GAA
Graeme Gordon 14-6 record-2.92 GAA

Trail:

Ryan Bulach 56 pts
JF Boisvert 45 pts
Brett Corcoran 42 pts
Paul Mailey 40 pts
Nick Sandor 39 pts
Travis St. Denis 37 pts

Marco Raimondo 12-14-1 record-3.47 GAA

Paul Barclay 12-16-1 record-3.28 GAA