Saturday, September 26, 2009

(Game Preview) Williams Lake @ Vernon:


Williams Lake (1-3-0-0) @ Vernon (5-0-0-0)
Last Game Played:

Friday September 25th Vernon defeated Quesnel 2-0
Friday September 25th Prince George defeated Williams Lake 6-3

Tonight is the first meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Williams Lake Timberwolves. It’s also the first meeting between these two teams in over two years as Williams Lake took a leave of absence from the league two years ago, and now makes its second return to the BCHL. The T-Wolves are currently on a three game road trip, wich started last night in Prince George (6-3 loss) tonight in Vernon and then tomorrow afternoon in Trail.

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit in 2nd place in the Interior Division Standings, two points back of the Division leading Penticton Vees (6-1) Vernon improved its record to 5-0 last night with a 2-0 victory over the Quesnel Millionaries. For the second straight night the Vipers are facing one of the Interior Division bottom feeders, that have just a single win so far this young season. Like last night Vernon cant take the T-Wolves lightly as any team can beat anyone on any given night, give fact that everyone also wants to knock off the defending champs. If the Vipers want to win tonight, their going to have to jump on Williams Lake, a team that just finished travelling from here from Prince George. On paper this game looks like an easy two points for Vernon, but that’s not always the case. The Vipers will suit-up in their brand new 3rd jerseys & have said to be rumored to start rookie goaltender, Blake Voth. Veteran forward Robbie Short will miss tonights game, as he is still hampered by the compression cut he sustained in the season opener against Salmon Arm. He is taking light skates with the team on practice days. Jonathan Milhouse will be playing in career game #100 tonight.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (4-3-7)
Braden Pimm (1-6-7)
Cory Kane (5-1-6)
Dylan Walchuk (1-5-6)
Jonathan Milhouse (2-3-5)
Cole Ikkala (2-2-4)
Kevin Kraus (1-3-4)
Connor Jones (0-4-4)
Kellen Jones (0-2-2)
Graeme Gordon (5-0 Record-1.39 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Williams Lake Timberwolves:

The Timberwolves currently sit tied for 7th place with the Merritt Centennials in the Interior Division standings. This is Williams Lake second road game of the season, playing their first last night. The T-Wolves have scored just sixteen goals and given up twenty two. Williams Lake has a very young roster, going with just three 20 year olds. The Timberwolves have Evan Dauenhauer a 19 year old goaltender from Vernon, BC on the team. Dauenhauer is currently 0-2 with a GAA of 7.11 If Williams Lake wants to become the first team this season to defeat the defending Nation Champs, they are going to have to try and shutdown all four lines, Vernon’s speed and depth up front. Blake Voth is rumored to be making his first career BCHL start between the pipes for the Vipers, get lots of traffic and shots in and around Voth, try and get the young 17 year old off his game. Tonights matchup is a big test for this young Williams Lake hockey club, a big win tonight will give them some much needed confidence for later on down the road.

KEY RETURNEES: Despite rejoining the BCHL after a two-year absence, the Timberwolves will be looking to establish themselves as a factor in the league's Interior Conference immediately.

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: F Trent Murdoch has the hands and skill set to make an immediate impact in the BCHL. The son of Timberwolves' GM Geoff Murdoch, Trent was second in VIJHL scoring (27-38-65) with the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Joining him from the Glacier Kings is G Kirk Croswell, who led all VIJHL netminders with a 91.85 save percentage.

STRENGTHS: Perhaps the Timberwolves' strengths will pour from their biggest weakness – inexperience. Head coach Dave Dupas is in the unique position of having the ability to mold the squad into roles and play-styles he sees will most benefit the club.

COACH'S QUOTE: Dave Dupas: "My style is all about puck pursuit. It's pressure pucks all over the ice – d-zone, offensive zone, neutral zone – we're going to try to force teams into mistakes...The work ethic is non-negotiable."

Williams Lake has been fairly quiet in the trading department so far this young season. Since the end of August the T-Wolves have pulled off just one move.

10-Sep-09 The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Cody Abby and Craig Eisenhut to the Williams Lake Timberwolves Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

Players To Watch:

Ryan Stanimir (2-4-6)
Trent Murdoch (3-2-5)
Justin Bardarson (2-2-4)

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

Vernon:

Erik Soderlund
Mike Collins
Braden Pimm
Cory Kane
Dylan Walchuk
Jonathan Milhouse
Cole Ikkala
Kevin Kraus
Connor Jones
Dan Nycholat
Drew George
Adam Thompson
Sawyer Mick
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Nick Amies
Bryce Kakoske
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Brendan Persley
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon

Williams Lake:

Ryan Stanimir
Trent Murdoch
Justin Bardarson
Jake Harcoff
Laine Keyes
Dane Rupert
Kyle Leung
Riley Sweeney
Keagan Little
Keenan Bailey
Anthony DeLong
Jason Diehl
Kyle Beaulieu
Darren Tarasoff
Colin Wandfluh
Craig Eisenhut
Josh MacDonald
Manny Haider
Calvin Johnson
Cody Abbey
Joshua Garneau
Kirk Croswell
Evan Dauenhauer

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