Fred Page Cup: Game 3 Powell River @ Vernon: (Game Preview)

Vernon (10-3) @ Powell River (8-7)

The Vernon Vipers went into Powell River over the weekend and shutdown the Leagues highest scoring club in the Powell River Kings, going up 2-0 in the series with scores of 4-0 and 3-0 in Games 1 & 2. The Vipers are now just two wins away from winning the BCHL Title. This is a must win for the Kings tonight, Powell River dosnt want to go down 3-0 on the road in the League Final. Powell River is somehow going to have to find a way to beat Andrew Hammond who has shutdown the Kings power offence. The Kings will also have to work on the powerplay and take advantage with the Vipers in the box. The Kings are 0-8 with the man advantage in the finals. Scoring first will be huge Conversely, Powell River’s record is 2 wins, 20 losses when trailing after two periods. Vernon dosnt have to change much, the Vipers defence and goaltending has really been solid all series and will once again have a very tough task at trying and shutting down the Leagues highest scoring team. The Vipers have now won 41 games, tied one, and lost one in overtime when they’ve led going into the third period this season, including all 9 games in the postseason when they’ve led after two periods. Their other playoff win came when they were tied at the end of the second. You can listen to tonights broadcast on 107.5 Kiss FM with Todd Miller, starting at 6:45pm

Heres a look at the series:

April 3rd @ Powell River: Game 1: Vernon wins 4-0

Tonight was Game 1 of the Fred Page Cup as the Vipers defeated the Kings 4-0 in front of 1,215 fans. Sahir Gill unassisted at 7:48, Connor Jones from Kevin kraus at 10:26 & James Kerr from Cory Kane at 11:41 put Vernon up 3-0 in the 1st period. Kyle Bigos from Kevin Kraus & Mike Collins at 15:39 on the powerplay put Vernon up 4-0 in the 2nd. No scoring in the 3rd as Powell River killed off a two man advantage. Ben Schmidt & Kyle Bigos would drop the gloves in the 3rd as Schmidt would receive a match penalty. Andrew Hammond would make 23 saves for his 3rd shutout of these BCHL Playoffs. Carsen Chubak would make 28 saves in the loss for the Kings. The Vipers welcomed back Cameron Brodie and Mike Collins from injuries. Game 2 is tomorrow night.

3 Stars:

1st Star: Kyle Bigos

2nd Star: Andrew Hammond

3rd Star: Reid Campbell

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684110

April 4th @ Powell River: Game 2: Vernon wins 3-0

The Vipers are heading home with a 2-0 series lead after a big 3-0 victory tonight in front of just 960 fans. Vernon would kill off a five on three after a scorelss 1st period. Sahir Gill would open the scoring on the powerplay at 2:10 of the 2nd period, assists going to, Kellen Jones & Kyle Bigos. Just 22 seconds later Bryce Kakoske put Vernon up 2-0, with Cory Kane & Kevin Kraus picking up the assists. Braden Pimm would get Vernons final goal of the night on the powerplay at 7:09 of the 3rd period. Bryce Kakoske & Kyle Bigos would collect the assists. Andrew Hammond makes 32 saves for his 2nd straight shutout, while Carsen Chubak makes 33 saves in the loss.

3 Stars:

1st Star: Andrew Hammond
2nd Star: Bryce Kakoske
3rd Star: Kyle Leahy

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=684111

Vernons Leading Playoff Scorers:

Connor Jones 14 pts
Kellen Jones 14 pts
Sahir Gill 13 pts
Chris Crowell 10 pts
Cory Kane 11 pts
Rob Short 9 pts
Mike Collins 9 pts
Braden Pimm 9 pts
James Kerr 6 pts
Kyle Bigos 6 pts
Bryce Kakoske 8 pts

Andrew Hammond 10-3 Record 1.36 GAA 4 Shutouts (Hammond named back to back BCHL Player of the week)

Powell Rivers Leading Playoff Scorers:

Darcy Oakes 23 pts
Kyle Bodie 21 pts
Clay Harvey 18 pts
Mat Bodie 13 pts
Erik Vos 12 pts
Ben Schmidt 7 pts
Jordan Grant 6 pts
Chad Niddery 6 pts
Darcy Huisman 6 pts
Neil Chambers 6 pts
Carsen Chubak 8-6 Record 2.43 GAA 2 Shutouts