Friday, October 16, 2009

(Game Preview) Vernon @ Williams Lake:




Vernon (12-1-0-0) @ Williams Lake (3-7-0-2)
Last Game Played:

Thursday October 15th Vernon defeated Quesnel 9-1Sunday October 4th Surrey defeated Williams Lake 4-3

Tonight is the second meeting of the season between the Williams Lake Timberwolves and Vernon Vipers. This is the second game of a three game road trip for Vernon after defeating Quesnel 9-1 last night. This is the third game of a six game home stand for the Timberwolves. Williams Lake hasn’t played in almost two weeks wich is very odd to see in the BCHL. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting with the pre game at 7:15pm on 107.5 Kiss FM.

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in the BCHL with a record of 12-1-0-0 one point up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees (11-2-0-1) Vernon is coming into Williams Lake riding a five game winning streak and scoring 33 goals over those five games. The Vipers have scored 63 goals giving up just 18 goals. Vernon is 5-0 on the road. The Vipers have three players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (9-13-22) Braden Pimm (4-13-17) & Jonathan Milhouse (6-11-17) the Vipers also have the leagues #1 goaltender in Graeme Gordon who has a 10-1 record with a GAA of 1.45 The Vipers defeated the Timberwolves 5-1 in their first meeting of the season back on September 26th In Vernon. The Vipers cant take Williams Lake too lightly as any team on any given night can upset any team in the league, no matter what the standings are. The Vipers need to put away the Timberwolves early not giving them a chance at keeping the game close. I would have to say backup goaltender Blake Voth will get the start tonight, giving Graeme Gordon a rest.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (9-13-22)
Braden Pimm (4-13-17)
Jonathan Milhouse (6-11-17)
Dylan Walchuk (4-12-16)
Connor Jones (8-8-16)
Kellen Jones (2-12-14)
Cory Kane (6-6-12)
Cole Ikkala (4-6-10)
Dan Nycholat (1-8-9)
Kevin Kraus (2-5-7)
Rob Short (4-3-7)
Adam Thompson (1-5-6)
Graeme Gordon (10-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.45 GAA)

The Vipers have made just one move since the last meeting between these two teams:

The Vipers assigned rookie forward, Brendan Persley to the KIJHL’s Penticton Lakers.

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

The Timberwolves currently sit in last place overall in the BCHL league standings with a record of 2-8-0-0 Williams Lake has scored just 30 goals this season, and has had trouble keeping the puck out of their own net, giving up 52 goals. The T-Wolves are 2-4 on home ice. Williams Lake has just three 20 year old players, the league limit is six. Williams Lake has just two players with double digits, Trent Murdoch (6-5-11) & Ryan Stanimir (3-7-10) Evan Dauenhauer is a Vernon kid who will get his second shot at trying to defeat his hometown Vipers & pick up his first career BCHL victory. Former Vernon Vipers forward, Casey Fratkin will play one of his former teams. Fratkin who has played in just two games for the Timberwolves this year as just added to the teams roster recently. No official word on any kind of trade has taken place. Williams Lake is going to have its hands full with trying to knock off the defending Royal Bank Cup Champions. Vernon is loaded with a lot of skill and depth up front and has the leagues best defence and goaltending, so trying to stop the Vipers high powered offence and getting an attack going against the Vipers is going to be extra tough. The T-Wolves will have to try and slow down the Vipers, try and get them down to a level of their own. Playing in the small rink is something the team will have to try and use to their advantage, play physical and try and get lots of pucks and traffic in front of Vernons goaltender. Williams Lake has a huge task at force tonight, but a good solid team effort and maybe they will become just the second team to defeat the Vipers.

Players To Watch:

Trent Murdoch (6-5-11)
Ryan Stanimir (3-7-10)
Justin Hogan (0-7-7)
Justin Bardarson (3-3-6)

Williams Lake made a few trades since the last meeting between these two teams:

30-Sep-09 The Powell River Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Justin Hogan (90)(C) to the Williams Lake Timberwolves Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Craig Eisenhut (90)(F).
03-Oct-09 The Cowichan Valley Capitals Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Cameron Hoffman (91)(F) to the Williams Lake Timberwolves Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

Heres a look at the season series between these two teams:

Friday, September 26th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-1

The Vipers wearing their new 3rd set jerseys knocked off the Williams Lake Timberwolves 5-1 in the first meeting of the season. Jonathan Milhouse with two, Sawyer Mick, Dylan Walchuk & Connor Jones scored for Vernon. Jason Diehl scored Williams Lakes lone goal. Mike Collins with three points, Dylan Walchuk, Kellen Jones & Jonathan Milhouse all picked up two points. Rookie Blake Voth made just 14 saves for his first career BCHL victory. Vernon product Evan Dauenhauer made 33 saves taking the loss.


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

Vernon:


Williams Lake:

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