Friday, September 18, 2009

(Game Preview) Vernon @ Trail:


Vernon (2-0-0-0) @ Trail (0-1-0-0)

Last Game For Both Teams:

Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-3 (Overtime)

Merritt defeated Trail 4-2

Tonight is the first meeting of the season between the Vernon Vipers & Trail Smoke Eaters and the first game of a home and home series. Tonight is the Smoke Eaters home opener. The Vipers are coming off a home and home series last weekend winning both games over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (3-2 & 4-3 in OT) The Smokies played just one game last weekend falling to the Merritt Centennials 4-2. The Vipers coming off two wins over the Silverbacks have a quick, fast moving team with a solid four lines, loaded with depth. Vernon also is solid in goal with veteran goaltender, Graeme Gordon was spent last season on the bench as Andrew Hammonds backup. One area of work where Vernon does need to work is the team’s powerplay, in the first two games of the year, the Vipers are 0-13 but have looked very solid on the penalty kill giving up just three goals on 15 opportunities.

Lets take a look at this years Trail Smoke Eaters:

Key Returnees: F Travis St. Denis (15-22-37), D Steve Koshey (3-20-23), D Graeme Strukoff (1-11-12), F Riley Loyst (8-7-15), F Nick Sandor (14-28-42).

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: Matt Wilkins’ name has been passed around Trail since word spread he was considering coming to the Smokies. He was the top goal scorer per game in the KIJHL last season with the Kimberley Dynamiters. Sam Mellor is a 17-year-old “goal-scoring playmaker” also from the Dynamiters. He tallied 19-21-40 in 51 games. Devon Murtagh will be a good addition in net. He’s 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and is 14-6-0 career with Westside and Victoria Grizzlies.

STRENGTHS: Returning captain Paul Mailey is a good fit to lead the team, being an all-around player who can score, hit, get back on defence and drop the gloves if needed. Tye Lewis is a good new addition. The 5-foot-10, 175 pounder will bring some fresh energy and experience. Colin Lidster, a 6-foot-4, 224-pound forward, played with the SilverBacks last year.

The Smokies will be looking to get back on the winning track after losing its first game of the season last weekend in Merritt. After falling 4-2 to the Cents, Merritt also needs some work on the powerplay going 1-7 in Fridays game vs Merritt. Trails penalty kill gave up two powerplay goals on five Merritt powerplays.

You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 7:15pm For more info and great coverage on tonights game and the Trail Smoke Eaters, please visit Shawn Mullins Smoke Eaters blog, http://smokeeatersblog.blogspot.com/
Heres a look at last year's 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.


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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

February 22 @ Vernon: Vernon wins 4-0

Today was the 8th and final meeting between these two teams as the Vipers knocked off the Smoke Eaters 4-0 on the final game of the regular season. Mike Collins, Sahir Gill, Bryce Kakoske & Ryan Santana all scored for Vernon, Andrew Hammond picked up his 5th shutout of the season. Paul Barclay made 35 saves in the loss.

http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573833&link=bchl

Here's a look at both team's rosters:

Vernon:

#3 Defence Garrett Noonan 91 Norfolk, MA 6'1" 205
#4 Defence Erik Soderlund 90 Carlsbad, CA 6'4" 205
#5 Forward Mike Collins 90 Boston, MA 6'1" 180
#6 Defence Darrin Robak 91 Red Deer, Alb 6'2" 180
#7 Defence Dan Nycholat 89 Calgary, Alb 6'2" 190
#9 Forward Dylan Walchuk 92 McBride, BC 5'9" 170
#10 Forward Connor Jones 90 Montrose, BC 5'10" 170
#11 Forward Cory Kane 90 Irvine, CA 6'3" 198
#12 Forward Cole Ikkala 90 Philadelphia, PA 6'0" 205
#14 Forward Braden Pimm 89 Fort St John, BC 6'0" 190
#15 Forward Kellen Jones 90 Montrose, BC 5'10" 168
#16 Forward Drew George 91 Cupar, SK 6'0" 165
#17 Forward Bredan Persley 93 Kelowna, BC 6'1" 200
#19 Forward Jonathan Milhouse 89 Yorba Linda, CA 5'10" 185
#20 Forward Rob Short 89 Coldstream, BC 6'0" 207
#21 Defence Kevin Kraus 89 Garden Grove, CA 6'2" 200
#22 Forward Sawyer Mick 91 Vernon, BC 6'1" 180
#24 Defence Steve Weinstein 90 Los Angeles, CA 5'9" 175
#25 Defence Nick Amies 92 Enderby, BC 6'2" 190
#27 Forward Bryce Kakoske 90 Vernon, BC 6'0" 205
#28 Defence Adam Thompson 90 Calgary, Alb 6'1" 198
#29 Forward Patrick McGillis 91 Calgary, Alb 5'10" 185
#30 Goaltender Blake Voth 91 Herbert, SK 5'10" 170
#35 Goaltender Graeme Gordon 89 North Vancouver, BC 6'2" 197

Trail:

#1 Devon Murtagh
#2 Graeme Strukoff
#3 Ben Matthews
#4 Wade Bennett
#5 David Piccard
#7 Steve Koshey
#8 Eric Walker
#9 Travis St. Denis
#10 Darnell Dyck
#11 Sam Mellor
#12 Riley Loyst
#14 Scott Jacklin
#17 Matt Wilkens
#19 Colin Lidster
#20 Sean Nugent
#21 Justin Brown
#22 Thomas Abenante
#23 Tye Lewis
#24 Kodi Sawka
#25 Paul Mailey
#26 Matt Malenstyn
#35 Garrett Beckwith

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