(Game Preview) Vernon @ Burnaby:

Vernon (26-1-0-0) @ Burnaby (8-16-0-3)

Last Game Played:

Saturday November 21st Vernon defeated Langley 6-2
Saturday November 21st Penticton defeated Burnaby

Today is the second and final meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Burnaby Express. The Vipers are riding a 19 game winning streak heading into todays final game of a three game road trip. The Express played their first home game last night (3-1 loss to Penticton) after returning from a four game road trip. Burnaby has just one win in their last nine games. You can listen to todays game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 2:15pm

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in Canada & in the league as the BCHL’s best team with a record of 26-1-0-0 six points up on the Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 151 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 44. The Vipers have won 19 straight games heading into todays contest with Burnaby and undefeated on the road with a record of 15-0-0-0 as the only team yet to lose on the road. The Vipers have five players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (17-25-42), Dylan Walchuk (13-22-35), Braden Pimm (13-22-35), Connor Jones (18-15-33) & Kellen Jones (6-26-32). Graeme Gordon & Blake Voth also lead the league as the BCHL’s top two goaltenders. Gordon with a record of 19-1- 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.64 Voth has a record of 7-0 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 1.43 The Vipers finish off their three game road trip playing Burnaby for the final time this season, unless they meet in the BCHL Playoffs. The Vipers are 1-0 against the Express defeating Burnaby 4-2 back on October 4th in Vernon. Both teams are playing their third game in three days, it will be interesting wich team has the more gas left in the tank for this afternoons contest. Vernon cant take the Express too lightly and need a full 60 minute effort. Burnaby has a bigger team that likes to play physical, and as long as veteran goaltender Harrison May gets the call between the pipes the Vipers will need to get lots of pucks and traffic in front, as May is a quality goaltender who can make the big save to keep his team in the hockey game. Once again specialty teams will be key this afternoon. The Vipers are going to have to watch players like, Rich Manley (9-12-21), Brad Reid (8-13-21), Garrick Perry (9-8-17), Dylan Herold (10-5-15) & Luke Challier (5-10-15)

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (17-25-42)
Dylan Walchuk (13-22-35)
Braden Pimm (13-22-35)
Connor Jones (18-15-33)
Kellen Jones (6-26-32)
Jonathan Milhouse (9-19-28)
Cory Kane (12-16-28)
Rob Short (11-14-25)
Dan Nycholat (4-17-21)
Cole Ikkala (9-11-20)
Kevin Kraus (2-16-18)
Bryce Kakoske (5-13-18)
Adam Thompson (2-9-11)
Graeme Gordon (19-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.64 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Burnaby Express:

The Express currently sit in 6th place with a record of 8-16-0-3 The Express have had troubles scoring this season, putting up just scored 73 goals but have also had troubles keeping the puck out of the net, giving up 104 goals. Burnaby is 4-4-0-2 on home ice and 2-7-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Express are going to have their hands full today trying to stop the league leading Vipers and their 19 game winning streak. Can Burnaby keep up with the Vipers speed, skill and depth? Or can Burnaby play physical and knock around the much smaller Vipers and win the physical battle? The Express will have to keep their eyes on the Vipers top two lines but also watch Vernons 2nd and 3rd lines who can also be dangerous now slowly starting to put up some offensive numbers. Burnaby needs to stay out of the box as the Vipers have the #1 powerplay unit in the league, but also need to watch the Vipers strong penalty kill after Vernon has scored a league 11 shorthanded goals. A good start for either of the two teams will be key, Burnaby dosnt want to fall behind early and have to play catchup hockey. The Express gave the Vipers a good scare back in early October falling 4-2 to Vernon, but held the Vipers tied 2-2 till Vernon scored two goals in the second half of the period to come away with the two points. Since this meeting the Express have lost 15 games where the Vipers have yet to lose. The Express have three former Penticton Vees in their line, Brad Reid, Jimmy Geerin, & James Bettauer . Burnaby will need a full 60 minute effort in order to knock off the defending champs. For stats, info and more on todays game check out the Burnaby Expressions blog, http://expressvoice.blogspot.com/

Players To Watch:

Rich Manley (9-12-21)
Brad Reid (8-13-21)
Garrick Perry (9-8-17)
Dylan Herold (10-5-15)
Luke Challier (5-10-15)
Jimmy Geerin (1-10-11)
Chris Van Duynhoven (0-7-7)


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

Sunday, October 4th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 4-2

After a scoreless opening period It was tied 1-1 after the 2nd period with goals from, Rich Manley & Dylan Walchuk. Mike Collins put Vernon up 3-2 early into the 3rd before Luke Challier tied the game midway through the final frame making for a good finish. Jonathan Milhouse would re-give the Vipers a 3-2 lead just over a minute later before Mike Collins would score into an empty net giving Vernon the 4-2 victory. Graeme Gordon made just 18 saves to pick up the win, while Harrison May made 31 saves taking the loss. The Vipers outshot the Express 34-20.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712579


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

Burnaby:

Rich Manley
Brad Reid
Garrick Perry
Dylan Herold
Luke Challier
Jimmy Geerin
Simon Denis
Matt Ridley
Chris Van Duynhoven
Konrad Sander
Brodie Jamieson
David Dotan
Zac Ashdown
Colby Kulhanek
Stefan Gonzales
Clay Wilson
James Bettauer
Alex Petan
Sean Dinsmore
Paul De Jersey
Nick Enegren
Harrison May