(Game Preview) Vernon @ Victoria:

Vernon (38-4-0-2) @ Victoria (23-14-2-5):

Last Game Played:

Friday January 15th Vernon defeated Nanaimo 5-4
Friday January 15th Victoria defeated Cowichan Valley 5-2

Tonight is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Victoria Grizzlies. This is the Vipers third game of a current five game in seven day road trip. Tonight is the first game of a three game home stand for the Grizzlies before the team heads out on a two game road trip. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting at 6:45pm 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 38-4-0-2 three points up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored a league high 227 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 80. Vernon is 18-3-0-1 at home & is 20-1-0-1 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. Connor Jones (28-32-60), Mike Collins (23-36-59), 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:

Connor Jones (28-32-60)
Mike Collins (23-36-59)
Braden Pimm (20-29-49)
Jonathan Milhouse (18-30-48)
Dylan Walchuk (16-27-43)
Cory Kane (19-21-40)
Kellen Jones (8-30-38)
Rob Short (14-21-35)
Bryce Kakoske (11-23-34)
Dan Nycholat (4-28-32)
Cole Ikkala (13-17-30)
Kevin Kraus (4-18-22)
Curtis Gedig (10-8-18)
Graeme Gordon (26-6 Record-1 Shutout-2.01 GAA)
Blake Voth (12-0 Record-3 Shutouts-1.23 GAA)

Vernon needs to get off to a good start, they don’t want to have to try and battle back on the road. Especially where the Grizz are 13-5-2-1 at home.

The Vipers need to play a little more disaplined tonight, they took way too many penalties last night in Nanaimo.

Vernon has won four straight after losing back to back games vs. Salmon Arm.

Let’s take a look at the Victoria Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies currently sit in 5th place in the Coastal Conference with a record of 23-14-2-5 one point back of the Surrey Eagles. The Grizz have scored 158 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of their net giving up 140 goals. Victoria is 13-5-2-1 on home ice but struggles away from home with a 10-9-0-4 record. Victoria is 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games.

Players To Watch:

Dustin Mowrey (27-21-48)
Alex Allan (17-28-45)
Jordan Heywood (10-30-40)
Brandon Fagerheim (16-22-38)
Joel Lowry (11-24-35)
Brad Pawlowski (9-18-27)

Victoria will be looking for revenge after getting bombed by the Vipers back in late December 8-2.

The Grizzlies need to get off to a good start and try and keep pace with the Vipers. Victoria dosnt want to fall behind early and have to play catchup hockey vs. the leagues top defensive team.

The Grizzlies are going to have to try and get lots of pucks and traffic in front of either Graeme Gordon or Balke Voth.

Victoria needs to watch Vernon’s speed and skill as one of leagues most offensive teams.

The Grizz are going to have to get strong goaltending, If they want to knock off the defending champs.

Victoria has won four straight

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

Friday, December 18th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 8-2

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 6:09 - Jonathan Milhouse from Dan Nycholat and Connor Jones
Victoria Grizzlies at 8:41 - Derek Bacon from Alex Allan
Vernon Vipers at 9:17 - Cory Kane from Connor Jones and Jonathan Milhouse
Vernon Vipers at 16:09 (PP) - Curtis Gedig from Bryce Kakoske and Mike Collins

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 3:09 - Curtis Gedig from Dan Nycholat and Cole Ikkala
Vernon Vipers at 7:02 - Cory Kane from Jonathan Milhouse and Connor Jones
Vernon Vipers at 19:56 - Curtis Gedig from Bryce Kakoske and Mike Collins

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 2:01 (PP) - Dylan Walchuk from Cole Ikkala and Steven Weinstein
Victoria Grizzlies at 12:53 - Joel Lowry from Spencer Copp and Nick Buchanan
Vernon Vipers at 18:49 - Connor Jones from Steven Weinstein

Vernon outshot Victoria 41-21 Graeme Gordon made 19 saves picking up the win, while Colin Fernandes made 33 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712820


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

Victoria:

Dustin Mowrey
Alex Allan
Jordan Heywood
Brandon Fagerheim
Joel Lowry
Brad Pawlowski
Madison Dias
Derek Bacon
Spencer Copp
Wesley Myron
Dylan Nowakowski
Graeme McCormack
Jared Eng
Gregory Simpson
Nick Buchanan
Sam Grist
Bryce Twa
Jake Baker
Brett Kolins
Mike Tebbutt
Sean Robertson
Ryan Holfeld
Colin Fernandes