(Game Preview) Vernon @ Nanaimo:

Vernon (37-4-0-2) @ Nanaimo (16-18-1-9):

Last Game Played:

Wednesday January 13th Vernon defeated BCHL All-Stars 7-2
Sunday January 10th Alberni Valley defeated Nanaimo 5-2

Tonight is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Nanaimo Clippers. This is the Vipers second game of a current five game in seven day road trip. Tonight is the final game of a three game home stand for the Clippers before the team heads out on a two game road trip. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting at 7:15pm on 107.5 Kiss FM

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers currently sit #2 overall in Canada & in the league as the BCHL’s best team with a record of 37-4-0-2 three points up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored a league high 222 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 76. Vernon is 18-3-0-1 at home & is 19-1-0-1 on the road. The Vipers are 7-2-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have four players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (23-36-59), Connor Jones (27-30-57), Braden Pimm (20-29-49) & Jonathan Milhouse (18-30-48). Blake Voth leads the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender. Voth has a record of 12-0 with 3 shutouts and a GAA of 1.23

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (23-36-59)
Connor Jones (27-30-57)
Braden Pimm (20-29-49)
Jonathan Milhouse (18-30-48)
Dylan Walchuk (15-27-42)
Cory Kane (19-21-40)
Kellen Jones (7-29-36)
Rob Short (14-21-35)
Bryce Kakoske (11-23-34)
Dan Nycholat (4-26-30)
Cole Ikkala (12-17-29)
Kevin Kraus (4-17-21)
Curtis Gedig (10-7-17)
Graeme Gordon (25-6 Record-1 Shutout-1.94 GAA)
Blake Voth (12-0 Record-3 Shutouts-1.23 GAA)

The Vipers are coming off a 7-2 victory at the 2010 BCHL All-Star Game, this is the Vipers 2nd game of a current five game in seven day road trip.

Getting off to a good start will be key for Vernon.

Kellen Jones returns to the Vipers lineup after missing the last 12 games with a broken jaw.

Sahir Gill returns to the Vernon Vipers after leaving the USHL’s Chicago Steel and signing with the Vipers last Sunday.

The Vipers need to jump on a Clippers team that is struggling as of late going 1-8-0-1 in their last 10 games.

Let’s take a look at the Nanaimo Clippers:

The Clippers currently sit in 6th place in the Coastal Conference with a record of 16-18-1-9 nine points back of the Victoria Grizzlies. The Clippers have scored 143 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of their net giving up 146 goals. Nanaimo is 7-11-0-6 on home ice but is over 500 on the road with a 9-7-1-3 record. Nanaimo is really struggling going 1-8-0-1 in their last 10 games.

Players To Watch:

Luc Olivier Blain (22-24-46)
Cody Bremner (21-20-41)
Teal Burns (13-25-38)
Andrew Gladiuk (13-21-34)
Carson Schell (5-25-30)
Victor Newell (6-22-28)

Nanaimo needs to get off to a good start and try not to fall behind early against the leagues top team.

The Clippers need to try and get to Vernon early, a team that just played Wednesday in the BCHL All-Star Game.

Nanaimo needs to watch Vernons penalty kill as the Vipers have scored a league high 19 shorthanded goals.

The Clippers will need strong goaltending between the pipes In order to try and stop the Vipers.

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

Saturday, December 19th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-3

Cory Kane opened the scoring at 1:43 puts Vernon up 1-0. Luc Olivier Blain on the powerplay tied the game at 7:33 Jonathan Milhouse at 10:52 gives Vernon the 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. Cody Bremner at 3:28 ties the game 2-2 early into the 2nd period. Jonathan Milhouse with his 2nd of the night at 5:14 & Adam Thompson at 18:01 on the powerplay gives the Vipers a 4-2 lead. Cody Bremner at 19:59 puts Nanaimo back within one goal before the end of the 2nd. Jonathan Milhouse with his 3rd goal of the night at 15:52 was the only goal of the 3rd as the Vipers defeated the Clippers 5-3. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 28-18. Graeme Gordon made 15 saves for the win, while Loic Boivin made 23 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712828


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
Adam Thompson
Sawyer Mick
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Curtis Gedig
Bryce Kakoske
David Robinson
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon

Nanaimo:

Luc Olivier Blain
Cody Bremner
Teal Burns
Andrew Gladiuk
Carson Schell
Victor Newell
Joe Perry
Brayden Jaw
Colton Cyr
Kyle Kramer
Nicholas McIntyre
Mike Domsodi
Tristan Lowenberger
Tyler Mah
Kyle Weber
Nick Bell
Mike Puddifant
Todd Gebert
Kiefer McNaughton
Ty Morton
Zach Martin
Loic Boivin
Rhys Hadfield