Thursday, February 4, 2010

(Game Preview) Vernon @ Powell River:


Vernon (43-6-0-2) @ Powell River (30-15-1-6)

Last Game Played:

Saturday January 30th Vernon defeated Langley 5-1
Saturday January 30th Powell River defeated Westside 5-2

Tonight is the second meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Powell River Kings in less then a week. These two teams were suppose to play back on November 18th in Powell River but the game was cancelled during the pre-game warm up after a electrical storm blew in and shut off the power. Tonight is the re-scheduled game. The Vipers are on a two game winning streak, while the Kings are riding a single game winning streak. 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 #1 overall in the league as the BCHL’s best team & #2 overall in Canada with a record of 43-6-0-2 just a single point up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored 255 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 97. Vernon is 21-4-0-1 at home & is 22-2-0-1 on the road. The Vipers are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have three players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mike Collins (26-43-69), Connor Jones (31-35-66) & Braden Pimm (23-39-62). Blake Voth leads the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender. Voth has a record of 14-1 with 3 shutouts and a GAA of 1.50

The Vipers have 13 players from last years Championship team that defeated Powell River in last years League Final.

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

Both these teams just played one another last weekend in Vernon, the Vipers defeated the Kings 5-2

It will be interesting to see who gets the start between the pipes for the Vipers.

Goaltending and specialty teams will be key.

The Vipers will need a win to try and stay one point ahead of the 2nd place Penticton Vees who are just a single point back of the league leading Vipers.

Vernon plays tonight in Powell River then in Merritt tomorrow night before coming home to play the Centennials Tuesday night.

Players To Watch:

Mike Collins (26-43-69)
Connor Jones (31-35-66)
Braden Pimm (23-39-62)
Jonathan Milhouse (19-31-50)
Dylan Walchuk (19-27-46)
Kellen Jones (9-35-44)
Cory Kane (20-22-42)
Cole Ikkala (19-20-39)
Bryce Kakoske (12-26-38)
Rob Short (16-22-38)
Dan Nycholat (5-31-36)
Kevin Kraus (4-19-23)
Curtis Gedig (11-8-19)
Graeme Gordon (29-7 Record-1 Shutout 2.03 GAA)
Blake Voth (14-1 Record-3 Shutouts-1.50 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Powell River Kings:

The Kings currently sit in 2nd place in the Coastal Conference with a record of 30-15-1-6 The Kings have scored 177 goals but have had troubles keeping the puck out of the net, giving up 131 goals. Powell River is 18-4-0-3 on home ice but has struggled on the road with a 12-11-1-3 record and are 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games. Jordan Grant is the lone Kings player listed in the leagues top 20 in scoring with (26-30-56) Josh Watson is 4th in the leagues top ten goaltenders with a record of 16-11-1 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 2.23 Michael Garteig is ranked 7th in the leagues top 10 goaltenders with a record of 14-10 with 1 shutout a a GAA of 2.58

The Kings have 6 players returning from last years team that lost in six games to the Vipers in the League Final.

The Kings will have to try and defend against all four Vernon lines who play on a regular shift, the Vipers are loaded with depth, skill and speed as the Kings will have to try and shut down the leagues highest scoring team.

Powell River will also have to try and get past the Vipers solid defence and strong goaltending.

The Kings return home after a four game road where they finished 2-2

Players To Watch:

Jordan Grant (26-30-56)
Chad Niddery (15-40-55)
Andrew Pettitt (29-21-50)
Matt Garbowsky (25-17-42)
Darcy Huisman (6-35-41)
Matt Bodie (7-24-31)
Ben Schmidt (12-15-28)
Mitch Labreche (10-17-27)
Josh Watson (16-11-1 Record-2 Shutouts 2.23 GAA)

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

Friday January 29th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-2

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 12:19 (PP) - Mike Collins from Braden Pimm and Dan Nycholat
Vernon Vipers at 18:03 - Dylan Walchuk from Jonathan Milhouse and Cory Kane

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 10:00 - Cole Ikkala from Braden Pimm and Mike Collins

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 4:43 - Kellen Jones from Connor Jones and David Robinson
Powell River Kings at 5:31 - Chad Niddery from Brenden Forbes and Teagan Waugh
Powell River Kings at 8:49 - Chad Niddery from Mat Bodie and Ben Schmidt
Vernon Vipers at 18:24 - Rob Short (unassisted)

Vernon outshot Powell River 31-24. Blake Voth made 22 saves for the victory, while Josh Watson made 26 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712933&link=bchl

Here's a look at both team's rosters:

Vernon:

Mike Collins
Braden Pimm
Cory Kane
Dylan Walchuk
Jonathan Milhouse
Cole Ikkala
Kevin Kraus
Connor Jones
Dan Nycholat
Curtis Gedig
Adam Thompson
David Robinson
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Sahir Gill
Bryce Kakoske
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon

Powell River:

Jordan Grant
Chad Niddery
Andrew Pettitt
Matt Garbowsky
Darcy Huisman
Mat Bodie
Ben Schmidt
Mitch Labreche
Reid Campbell
Justin Dasilva
Daniel Carr
Carter Shinkaruk
Robbie Bailey
Cody Rainaldi
Teagan Waugh
Jason Yee
Brenden Forbes
Brandon Formosa
Klay Kachur
Alex McDougall
Braden Pears
Josh Watson
Michael Garteig

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