Vernon (24-1-0-0) @ Surrey (18-7-0-3)Last Game Played:
Saturday November 14th Vernon defeated Trail 7-1
Friday November 13th Surrey defeated Victoria 5-2
Tonight is the first meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Surrey Eagles. The Vipers are riding a 17 game winning streak heading into tonights first game of a current three games in three day game road trip. The Eagles are coming off a 5-2 win over Victoria Friday night and have won four out of their last six games. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45pm
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 24-1-0-0 five points up on the Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 140 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 41. The Vipers have won 17 straight games heading into tonights contest with Surrey and undefeated on the road with a record of 13-0-0-0. The Vipers have four players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (15-25-40), Dylan Walchuk (12-21-33), Braden Pimm (13-21-34), & Connor Jones (16-13-29). Graeme Gordon & Blake Voth also lead the league as the BCHL’s top two goaltenders. Gordon with a record of 18-1- 1 shutout and a GAA of 1.67 Voth has a record of 6-0 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 1.33 The Vipers first game of this four game road trip was cancelled Wednesday night vs. Powell River due to a power outtage. Getting off to a good start will be key for Vernon, after a long bus trip up to Powell River on Tuesday, then not playing Wednesday the team has been waiting around for tonights game. The Vipers don’t know much on Surrey other then the Eagles are the leagues 3rd best team and 1st in the Coastal Conference. The Eagles have a few familiar faces in their lineup that saw a lot of action against the Vipers in the past playing in the Interior Division. Grant Toulmin (Prince George), Chris Santiago (Westside), Michael Krgovich (Williams Lake), Paul Levarsky (Trail & Merritt), & Paul Barclay (Trail). Bryce Kakoske will be facing his former team, well sort of. Kakoske was traded from Westside to Surrey last year before being traded to Vernon. Kakoske didn’t even have a chance at playing a single game with the Eagles before heading to the Vipers. It will be interesting to see how the team comes out to start tonights game after being on the Island since Tuesday and not playing Wednesdays game vs. Powell River. In years past Vernon has had troubles on the Olympic sized ice surface in Surrey. The Vipers speed and skill may come into factor tonight playing on the big ice surface, Vernon needs to use this to their advantage. Things happen much quicker on the bigger rink, so Vernon will have to be sharp and ready for a fast and furious game. Surrey will be a big challenge for the Vipers, other then playing Salmon Arm lately the team has been feeding off of some of the weaker teams in the Interior Division.
Players To Watch:
Mike Collins (15-25-40)
Braden Pimm (13-21-34)
Dylan Walchuk (12-21-33)
Connor Jones (16-13-29)
Jonathan Milhouse (9-19-28)
Kellen Jones (5-22-27)
Cory Kane (11-14-25)
Rob Short (9-14-23)
Dan Nycholat (4-15-19)
Cole Ikkala (8-11-19)
Kevin Kraus (2-14-16)
Adam Thompson (2-9-11)
Graeme Gordon (18-1 Record-1 Shutout-1.67 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the Surrey Eagles:
The Eagles currently sit atop the Coastal Conference with a record of 18-7-0-3 & are ranked #11 in the CJHLs top 20 rankings. The Eagles have scored 95 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of the net, giving up 81 goals. Surrey is 9-2-0-1 on home ice and 6-2-0-2 in their last 10 games. Tonight should be a very good entertaining hockey game with two of the leagues best. The Eagles have one player (Michael Krgovich ) (13-19-32) in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Vinny Lessard (7-3 Record-2 Shutouts 2.65 GAA) Is 10th in the leagues top 10 goaltenders. The Eagles will have to try and defend against all four Vernon lines who play on a regular shift, & can put up numbers offensively. The Vipers are loaded with depth, skill and speed as the Eagles will have to try and shut down the leagues highest scoring team. Surrey a team that also has some kids that can put up some good numbers will have to use the big ice surface to their advantage. Surrey will also have to try and get past the Vipers solid defence and strong goaltending. The Eagles havnt played since Friday so both teams havnt played in a week.
Players To Watch:
Michael Krgovich (13-19-32)
Grant Toulmin (7-19-26)
Chris Santiago (13-12-25)
Andrew Wallace (10-13-23)
Bradley McGowan (4-18-22)
Richard Vanderhoek (8-13-21)
Tyler Morley (6-9-15)
Vinny Lessard (7-3 Record-2 Shutouts 2.65 GAA)
Heres a look at last years season series between these two teams:
Saturday September 27th @ Surrey: Vernon wins 5-4
This was the only meeting between these two teams as the Vipers knocked off the Eagles 5-4. Connor Jones, John Digness (two), Mike Collins, & Bryce Kakoske scored for Vernon. Brennan Strang, Morgan MacLean (two), & Mike Henderson scored for Surrey. Vinny Lessard made 26 saves in the loss. Vernon outshot Surrey 31-22.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=573418
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
Surrey:
Michael Krgovich
Grant Toulmin
Chris Santiago
Andrew Wallace
Bradley McGowan
Richard Vanderhoek
Tyler Morley
Jason Grecica
Manraj Hayer
Neil Blunden
Cole Gelley
Doug Marshall
Paul Levarsky
Jamus Lane
Jeff Regier
Morgan Bonner
Erik Cooper
Adam Basford
Wes Vannieuwenhuizen
Clayton Chessa
Derek Henderson
Vinny Lessard
Paul Barclay
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