Royal Bank Cup Semifinals: Kingston @ Vernon: (Game Preview)

Kingston (1-3) @ Vernon (4-0)

Here's a look at todays Royal Bank Cup Semifinal:

The winner of todays semifinal will move on to the National Championship Sunday afternoon (4:30pm) for a chance at the Royal Bank Cup. The Vernon Vipers & Kingston Voyageurs will face off against one another for the second straight day in todays semifinal. Yesterday afternoon Vernon defated Kingston 8-5 in a mean nothing game, other then team pride. The Vipers were down 5-3 halfway through the 2nd period but battled back scoring five straight goals to come from behind for the second straight game. Vernon has now won 9 straight games and finished the Royal Bank Cup round robin at 4-0, just the eighth team in RBC history to accomplish this feat. The Voyageurs finished the RBC round robin at 1-3. With the win yesterday the Vernon Vipers-Lakers now hold the Royal Bank Cup record for most wins in the round robin with 23 passing the AJHL Camrose Kodiaks (22 wins).

Vernon is going to have to tighten up defensively after giving up a rare nine goals in their last two games. The Vipers knowen for their team defence and strong goaltending, will have to try and shutdown the speedy and skilled Kingston Voyageurs. Never count out the Vipers, as showen in their last two games, this team can comeback to win hockey games. The Vipers roll four solid lines, in wich provide a much balanced scoring attack. Vernon is one of if not the hardest working team, and never quits. Hard work and team defence come first. The Vipers are going to have to try and get as many pucks towards the net, as Voyageurs goaltender Shawn Sirman looked average at best in yesterdays afternoon contest. Kingston may have some firepower up front, but are a little weak on the backend and between the pipes. Vernon is going to need a full 60 minutes today if they want to move on to the Final Sunday. Today is a do or die situation for the Vipers, something they havnt been in all season-playoffs. You could say todays contest is like a Game 7 winner moves on, loser goes home. It will be interesting to see how Vernon prepares for a game like this, with so much on the line.

Kingston started off strong in yesterdays game vs Vernon, but seemed to get away from their game plan as the game went on. The Voyageurs with some speed and skill up front, jumped all over a shaky Vernon defence early but couldnt hold up the same presure and attack for the remainder of the game. Kingston who can play physical with that in your face style of play, has to keep up the same intensity for the full 60 minutes if they expect to knock off the 4-0 Vipers. The Voyageurs speed and skill up front could prove deadly against Vernon, but they dont have four lines that can roll on a regular basis to try and match the Vipers. Kingston will need a strong performance from Shawn Sirman between the pipes if they want to upset the Vernon Vipers. The Voyageurs will also have to stay out of the penalty box after taking some undisaplined penalties yesterday, giving up three powerplay goals. In the end Kingston will have to play hard and battle every inch with the Vipers if they expect to win. The Voyageurs will be facing veteran goaltender, Andrew Hammond this afternoon, a goaltender they havnt faced yet. Graeme Gordon was in goal for the Vipers in yesterdays 8-5 victory. Hammond who has been Vernons MVP all season, will have to once again be the teams MVP today if they want to win.

Here's a look at yesterdays Vernon-Kingston game:

May 7th vs Kingston: Vernon wins 8-5

Sahir Gill opened the scoring at 2:10 on the man advantage as the Vipers got off to the quick start. The goals would come early and often as both teams goaltenders, had very little help from the defence. Dustin Walsh tied the game just 22 seconds later at 2:32 before Connor Jones regained Vernons lead just over two minutes later. Once again Vernon couldnt hold the lead as just over a minute later Jeff Blackburn tied the game for the Voyageurs. Kory Roy would put Vernon back on top at 16:07 of the 1st period. Kingston jumped all over Vernon in the first half of the 2nd scoring three goals erupting to the 5-3 lead. The Vipers defence and goaltending settled down, and in the second have Vernon battled back with three goals of their own to take the 6-5 lead heading into the 3rd. Kyle Bigos on the powerplay and Rob Short would round out the Vipers scoring in the final period as the Vipers would knock off the Voyageurs 8-5 finishing the round robin at 4-0. Kingston would fall to 1-3 at the RBC. These same two teams will meet again in tomorrows semifinal game.

http://hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=24857&game_id=1608

Players of the game:

Vernon: Kyle Bigos (1 goal & 2 assists)

Kingston: Adam McAllister (1 goal & 2 assists)

Vernons Leading RBC Scorers:

Mike Collins 7 pts
Braden Pimm 6 pts
Rob Short 6 pts
Kyle Bigos 6 pts

Connor Jones 5 pts

Kellen Jones 5 pts

Cory Kane 4 pts

Sahir Gill 4 pts

Ryan Santana 4 pts
Chris Crowell 3 pts
Andrew Hammond 3-0 Record 2.22 GAA SVS% 0.904

Kingston Leading RBC Scorers:

Kevin Christmas 5 pts

Adam McAllister 5 pts

Mike Farrell 4 pts
Jarrett Burton 4 pts
Mitchell Latchford 3 pts
Dustin Walsh 3 pts
Ben Power 3 pts
Jeff Blackburn 3 pts
Shawn Sirman 1-3 Record 5.52 GAA SVS% 0.859