(Game Preview) Game 5: Quesnel @ Vernon:

Vernon (2-2) @ Quesnel (6-4)

Last Game Played:

Saturday March 13th Quesnel defeated Vernon 3-1

Tonight is Game 5 of the 2nd round of the BCHL Playoffs between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Quesnel Millionaires. The series is tied 2-2. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting with the pregame at 6:45 pm

Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers: (2-2)

The Vipers clinched top spot in the BCHL and the Interior Division with a record of 51-6-0-3 and was ranked #2 in all of Canada. Vernon scored a league high 298 goals and broke the Penticton Vees BCHL record for least amount of goals, giving up just 119. Vernon was 25-4-0-1 at home & 26-2-0-2 on the road during the regular season. The Vipers finished at 9-0-0-1 in their last 10 regular season games. The Vipers had three players in the leagues top 20 in regular season scoring. Connor Jones (36-45-81), Mike Collins (30-46-76) & Braden Pimm (25-43-68). Blake Voth lead the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender. Voth has a record of 21-2 with 3 shutouts and broke the BCHL record with the lowest GAA with 1.79 Graeme Gordon was 3rd in the leagues top 10 goaltenders with a record of 30-7 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 2.06

1st Round: 1st Round Bye

Home Playoff Record: 1-1
Away Playoff Record: 1-1

Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Quesnel this Series: 3-20

Tonight is basically a must win for the Vipers. Vernon dosnt want to head back up North tomorrow night for Game 6 down 3-2 in the series and having to win on the road in Quesnel where the Millionaires are 4-1. The Vipers come home after splitting Games 3 & 4 up North. This isn’t a spot where Vernon wants to be, the longer this series goes, the Vipers are in trouble. The Vipers need to get back to doing the little things and playing simple yet smart hockey. Vernon needs to use their speed, skill and strong forecheck-cycle to their advantage. The Vipers have to stay away from the after the whistle activities and chippy play, something Quesnel has used to frustrate the Vipers. Like most of the season when the Jones-Robinson line is going, so are the Vipers. Vernon needs this line to be at its best tonight. Goaltending & specialty teams for both teams will also be key for the remainder of the series. Again the Vipers will have to try and get lots of traffic and pucks towards Kirby Halcrow, get bodies in and around the net and try and get the Mills #1 goaltender off his game. The Vipers need to do better on the powerplay and take advantage of the Mills penalties. Mike Collins (0-2-2), David Robinson (1-0-1), Dylan Walchuk (0-0-0), Bryce Kakoske (0-0-0) & Jonathan Milhouse (1-0-1) need to step up their play and find their offensive side again.

Key Players To Watch:

Rob Short (3-2-5)
Connor Jones (2-3-5)
Cory Kane (1-3-4)
Kellen Jones (1-3-4)
Sahir Gill (2-1-3)
Braden Pimm (2-1-3)
Curtis Gedig (1-1-3)
Kevin Kraus (0-2-2)
Mike Collins (0-2-2)
Dan Nycholat (0-2-2)
David Robinson (1-0-1)
Jonathan Milhouse (1-0-1)
Blake Voth (1-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)

Let’s take a look at the Quesnel Millionaires: (6-4)

The Millionaires finished the regular season in 5th place in the Interior Division with a record of 22-32-0-6 The Millionaires scored 208 goals and gave up 245 goals. Quesnel was 12-16-0-2 on home ice & 10-16-0-4 on the road during the regular season. Quesnel finished 4-4-0-2 in their last 10 regular season games. The Mills had one player in the leagues top 20 in regular season scoring. Trevor Hertz lead the way with (35-38-73)

1st Round: Defeated Salmon Arm in Six Games

Home Playoff Record: (4-1)
Away Playoff Record: (2-3)

Quesnel’s Powerplay vs Vernon this Series: 2-9

Tonight’s Game 5 is a key game in the series. A Quesnel win and they head back home for Game 6 with a chance at knocking off the defending RBC Cup Champions, a loss and they need to win the final two games in this series. The Mills come into the Wesbild Centre with just 1 win in four games (regular season & playoffs) How many times have you heard this before, Kirby Halcrow will have to be the go to man for the Millionaires, Halcrow needs to try and steal a win tonight. The line of Taylor Holst, Trever Hertz & Justin Hogan have been the Millionaires top line, these three will have to be at their top for the remainder of the series and try and come up with the big goals when needed. The Mills have frustrated the Vipers with some chippy play, getting under guys skin, and playing physical, doing all the little things needed to try and compete with the high powered Vipers. Quesnel needs to keep this up as Vernon has been frustrated with the Mills style of play. Quesnel needs to try and shut down the line of Kellen Jones, Connor Jones and David Robinson.

Key Players To Watch:

Darick Ste-Marie (9-6-15)
Taylor Holst (5-9-15)
Justin Hogan (3-7-10)
Trever Hertz (4-6-10)
Joshua Desmarais (4-4-8)
Jacob Verheyden (1-5-6)
Eliot Raibl (2-4-6)
Clayton Chessa (3-3-6)
Skyler Smutek (0-5-5)
Tyler French (2-3-5)
Kirby Halcrow (6-3 Record, 3.23 GAA)

Here’s a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon Vipers Playoff Scoring:

Rob Short (2-3-5)
Connor Jones (2-3-5)
Cory Kane (1-3-4)
Kellen Jones (1-3-4)
Cole Ikkala (2-1-3)
Curtis Gedig (1-2-3)
Sahir Gill (2-1-3)
Braden Pimm (2-1-3)
Adam Thompson (1-2-3)
Mike Collins (0-2-2)
Steven Weinstein (0-2-2)
Kevin Kraus (0-2-2)
Dan Nycholat (0-2-2)
David Robinson (1-0-1)
Jonathan Milhouse (1-0-1)
Garrett Noonan (0-1-1)
Dylan Walchuk (0-0-0)
Bryce Kakoske (0-0-0)
Patrick McGillis (0-0-0)
Darrin Robak (0-0-0)

Blake Voth (1-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
Graeme Gordon (1-1 Record, 3.00 GAA)

Quesnel Millionaires Playoff Scoring:

Darick Ste-Marie (9-6-15)
Taylor Holst (5-9-14)
Trevor Hertz (4-6-10)
Justin Hogan (3-7-10)
Joshua Desmarais (4-4-8)
Eliot Raibl (2-4-6)
Jacob Verheyden (1-5-6)
Clayton Chessa (3-3-6)
Skyler Smutek (0-5-5)
Tyler French (2-3-5)
Spencer Graboski (2-2-4)
Rylan Stanyer (1-1-2)
Mitch Galbraith (0-2-2)
Sam Higgins (1-1-2)
Chris Kerr (2-0-2)
Tyler Billon (0-1-1)
Brandon Watson (0-1-1)
Tyson Price (0-0-0)
Marley Keca (0-0-0)
Anderson White (0-0-0)

Luke Siemens (0-1 Record, 11.30 GAA)
Kirby Halcrow (6-3 Record, 3.23 GAA)

Let’s take a look back at the series:

Game 1: Tuesday, March 9th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 6-2

Taylor Holst opened the scoring at 8:42 giving the Mills the early 1-0 lead before Rob Short scored two to give Vernon a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. Just one goal in the 2nd as Braden Pimm’s goal at 1:12 was the game winner. After a strong Vipers attack and no goals, Chris Kerr cut the lead to 4-2 before Braden Pimm, Cory Kane & Curtis Gedig would round out the scoring in the 3rd giving Vernon the 6-2 victory, taking Game 1. Graeme Gordon made just 12 saves for the win, while Kirby Halcrow made 40 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=806856&link=bchl

Game 2: Wednesday, March 10th @ Vernon: Quesnel wins 4-2

David Robinson opened the scoring just 4:05 into the 1st period before the Millionaires responded just 45 seconds later, Darick Ste-Marie tied the game before Tyler French’s late goal at 17:35 put Quesnel ahead 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Quesnel 22-6 in the 2nd but it was Taylor Holst with the lone goal of the period as the Mills took a 3-1 lead into the final frame. Just 1:40 into the 3rd Branden Redschlag would pick up his first BCHL goal giving the Millionaires a 4-1 lead wich was more then enough. Rob Short would get Vernon to within two goals late at 16:34 but Kirby Halcrow was huge down the stretch making some big saves to give the Mills the 4-2 win and tie the series 1-1. Vernon outshot Quesnel 57-22. Kirby Halcrow made 55 saves getting the win, while Graeme Gordon made 18 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=806857&link=bchl

Game 3: Friday, March 12th @ Quesnel: Vernon wins 8-4

Connor Jones opened the scoring early, while Sahir Gill scored late in the 1st giving Vernon a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. A penalty filled 2nd period with five goals made for an interesting period. Adam Thompson on the powerplay & Kellen Jones put Vernon up 4-0 before Rylan Stanyer at 16:02 got the mills on the board. Cole Ikkala late in the 2nd gave the Vipers a 5-1 lead before former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Eliot Raibl scored at 19:42 on the man advantage as the Vipers had a 5-2 lead heading into the 3rd. Taylor Holst at 11:02 on the powerplay cut the lead to 5-3 but two quick goals by Jonathan Milhouse & Connor Jones gave Vernon a 7-3 lead and put this game away. This was also the end of the night for Kirby Halcrow who was pulled in favor of Luke Siemens. Clayton Chessa late in the 3rd gave Quesnel their fourth goal of the night, but Sahir Gill would score his second of the night at 19:54 with the man advantage giving Vernon the 8-4 victory. Quesnel outshot Vernon 37-27. Blake Voth made his first career BCHL Playoff start and picked up his first career BCHL Playoff win. Kirby Halcrow gave up seven goals on 25 shots.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=806859&link=bchl

Game 4: Saturday, March 13th @ Quesnel: Quesnel wins 3-1

Cole Ikkala on the powerplay at 19:38 gave Vernon a 1-0 lead after the opening period. Joshua Desmarais at 1:31 tied the game 1-1 before Clayton Chessa at 11:36 gave the Mills their first lead of the night. The Millionaires took a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd. Trever Hertz scored the lone goal of the period at 11:35 giving Quesnel the 3-1 victory to tie the series 2-2. Kirby Halcrow made 35 saves for the win, while Blake Voth took his first loss of the playoffs making 31 saves. Vernon outshot Quesnel 36-34.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=806860&link=bchl

Here’s a look at the Vipers-Mills Playoff Schedule:

#1 - Vernon Vipers vs. #5 - Quesnel Millionaires

Game 1 - Tuesday, March 9th at Vernon - 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre
Game 2 - Wednesday, March 10th at Vernon - 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre
Game 3 - Friday, March 12th at Quesnel - 7:30 PM, Quesnel Twin Arenas
Game 4 - Saturday, March 13th at Quesnel - 7:30 PM, Quesnel Twin Arenas
Game 5 - Monday, March 15th at Vernon - 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre
Game 6 - Tuesday, March 16th at Quesnel - 7:30 PM, Quesnel Twin Arenas
Game 7 - Wednesday, March 17th at Vernon - 7:00 PM, Wesbild Centre