Vernon (16-1-0-0) @ Merritt (6-10-0-1)Last Game Played:
Saturday October 24th Vernon defeated Quesnel 3-2 in Overtime
Tuesday October 27th Salmon Arm defeated Merritt 10-2
Both teams got a bit of a scare late yesterday afternoon after 107.5 Kiss FM had reported that several Merritt Centennial hockey players had picked up the flu, and with not enough players to replace them, the game may had to have been cancelled. Well word late last night on Brian Wiebe’s Merritt Centennials blog is that tonights game will be played.
Tonight is the second meeting of the season between the Merritt Cetennials and the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers. This is the second meeting between these two teams in just over a week after Vernon defeated Merritt 7-2 at home back on Wednesday October 21st. The Vipers are riding a nine game winning streak heading into the teams longest road trip of the season. Tonight is the first of a six game road trip for Vernon. The Centennials have won three of the last five games coming home after a quick trip up to Salmon Arm early this week. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting with the pre game at 7:15pm live on 107.5 Kiss FM
Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:
The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in the league as the BCHL’s best team with a record of 16-1-0-0 one point up on the Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 87 goals for, 2nd behind the Penticton Vees who have scored 88 goals. The Vipers have given up the least amount of goals with just 25. The Vipers have won nine straight heading into tonights contest with Merritt. This is the first of six straight on the road as Vernon heads out on its longest road trip of the season. Vernon is undefeated on the road with a record of 7-0 & are 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have four players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (10-16-26), Connor Jones (12-11-23), Braden Pimm (8-15-23) & Kellen Jones (4-18-22). Graeme Gordon also leads the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender with a record of 13-1- 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.49 The Vipers will be without forwards, Kellen and Connor Jones who are away playing for Team Canada West at the 2009 World Junior A Challenge in Summerside PEI The Vipers will have their hands full with the Cents after Merritt played Vernon tough just over a week ago back at the Wesbild Centre. Vernon defeated Merritt 7-2 but it was the Centennials who held a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd period before the Vipers exploded for six goals. Merritt who has defeated both Westside and Penticton this season have beat some of the Interiors top teams. Vernon is going to have to try and get lots of pucks and traffic in front of Cole Holowenko who made 40 saves against the Vipers just over a week ago. Tonight will be a big test without the Jones Twins, everyone is going to have to step up their play and roles on the team. Vipers will need a full 60 minute effort vs. a hard working Centennials hockey club.
Players To Watch:
Mike Collins (10-16-26)
Braden Pimm (8-15-23)
Connor Jones (12-11-23)
Kellen Jones (4-18-22)
Jonathan Milhouse (7-13-20)
Dylan Walchuk (6-14-20)
Cory Kane (8-9-17)
Rob Short (5-8-13)
Cole Ikkala (4-7-11)
Dan Nycholat (1-10-11)
Kevin Kraus (2-9-11)
Adam Thompson (1-6-7)
Graeme Gordon (13-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.49 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the Merritt Centennials:
The Centennials currently sit tied for 6th place with the Quesnel Millionaires with a record of 6-10-0-1. Merritt has scored just 58 goals this season and has had troubles keeping the puck out of the net giving up a league worst 105. The Cents who are 4-5-0-1 in their last 10 games come into tonights game 6-4 on home ice. The Centennials who are a big physical team need to take advantage of the smaller ice surface and play physical vs. a much smaller Vernon hockey club. Merritt also needs to get a lot of pucks and traffic towards Graeme Gordon. The Cents who gave the Vipers a pretty big scare just over a week ago, needs to play a full 60 minutes if they want to knock off the defending RBC Cup champs. Merritt will have their hands full with one of the leagues top scoring teams. Defenceman, Steve Tresierra and Cents assistant coach, Luke Pierce will once again face their former team. Jeff Jones & David Sabey who both were cut by the Vipers during training camp-pre season will want to play well against Vernon to prove Mark Ferner wrong. For stats, info and more news and notes on the Merritt Centennials, visit Brian Wiebe’s Merritt Centennials Blog, http://merrittcentennials.blogspot.com/
The Cents are 7-30-0-2 in the last six seasons against Vernon
The Centennials are on a 15 game winless skid (0-14-0-1) against the Vipers.
The last time Merritt defeated Vernon was on January 14, 2007 by a final score of 3-2Wade MacLeod scored the winner while Casey Fratkin and Tyler Halliday also scored for the Centennials. Nick Stermer, Mike Naito, Nick Kang, Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Jason Wright and Cody Butcher each had an assist in the win. Brad McInnis made 45 saves in goal for the Cents.
Players To Watch:
Colton Sobchak (4-9-13)
Andrew Pickering (3-10-13)
Alex Valenti (6-7-13)
Dustin Johnson (10-3-13)
Jeff Jones (5-7-12)
Jordan Soquila (5-7-12)
Derek Hills (6-5-11)
David Sabey (6-4-10)
Ryne Bodger (3-7-10)
Cole Holowenko (2-5 record with a GAA of 5.69)
Heres a look at the season series between these two teams:
Wednesday, October 21st @ Vernon: Vernon wins 7-2
Merritt held a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd period but couldn’t hold on for the win, as Vernon exploded for six goals in the final 30 minutes. Connor Jones (2), Kellen Jones, Jonathan Milhouse, Rob Short, Steven Weinstein, & Bryce Kakoske scored for the Vipers. Derek Hills & Dustin Johnson scored for the Centennials. Graeme Gordon made 14 saves for the win. Cole Holowencko made 40 saves in the loss. Vernon outshot Merritt 47-16.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712631&link=bchl
Here's a look at both team's rosters:
Vernon:
Nils-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
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon
Merritt:
Jordan Soquila
Colton Sobchak
David Sabey
Alex Valenti
Jeff Jones
Andrew Pickering
Dustin Johnson
Ryne Bodger
Jeff Zmurchyk
Steve Tresierra
Silvan Harper
Derek Hills
Stephen Wall
Daniel Chang
Matt Mazzarolo
Kevin Philp
Mitch Jones
Joey McEwan
Kameran Crawford
Cole Holowenko
Keith Hamilton
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