Series-Game Preview: Penticton & Vernon:The defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Penticton Vees meet in the Interior Conference Finals (3nd round of the BCHL Playoffs) for the fourth straight season & 7th time in the last 9 years. Vernon went 3-3 against Penticton during the regular season. The Vipers are coming off a 1st round bye, & defeated the Quesnel Millionaires in the 2nd round in six games. The Penticton Vees are coming off a 1st round sweep of the Merritt Centenials and a 2nd round victory over the Westside Warriors in six games. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45pm
Vernon’s Home & Away Record vs. Quesnel:
At Home: 1-2
On The Road: 2-1
Penticton’s Home & Away Record vs. Vernon:
At Home: 1-2
On The Road: 2-1
Penticton outscored Vernon on the road 9-6
Vernon outscored Penticton on the road 7-6
Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Penticton This Season:
4-28
Penticton’s Powerplay vs. Vernon this season:
6-29
Lets take a look at both teams,
Vernon Vipers:
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 are 9-0-0-1 in their last 10 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
For just the second time in franchise history, the Vipers have clinched more than 50 wins in a regular season. The Vipers hit the 51-win mark this season one shy of the team and league record. The Vipers won 52 games in the 1998-99 campaign, which they followed up with a national Junior A title. The 51-6-0-3 Vipers also set a new BCHL record for the fewest goals allowed (119). The previous record of 137 was set by the Penticton Vees in 2005-06. Goaltender Blake Voth etched his name into the BCHL annals, setting a record 1.79 goals against average. The rookie tender bettered Nanaimo Clipper net detective Simon Nolet’s 1.98 GAA in 2004-05. Vernon at one time during the regular season went on a 21 game winning streak, one shy of the teams record before falling in overtime to Westside. This years version of the Vernon Vipers has to be one of if not the best Vernon Junior Hockey team Viper fans have ever seen.
The Vipers & Vees face off in the Interior Conference Finals for the first time since Vernon upset Penticton in five games back in 2006-07. This is the fourth straight year both these teams have met in the BCHL Playoffs, Vernon has won five of the last six Playoff meetings between these two teams. This matchup is one fans have been predicting since early in the season and will be the Vipers toughest test of the season. If the Vipers thought Quesnel gave them a hard time in the 2nd round of the playoffs, they better be ready to battle the third ranked team in all of Canada. It looks as if Graeme Gordon has found his way back to being the teams #1 goaltender after getting back to back shutout victories over the Quesnel Millionaires in Games 5 & 6. The Vipers will need either Gordon or Blake Voth to be at their best if they want to knock off the Vees. Specialty teams will also be key, Vernon needs to stay out of the penalty box as Penticton has a very deadly powerplay and will make you pay on the man advantage. The Vipers need to get their powerplay going, something that has struggled these playoffs. Vernon needs to try and shutdown Denver Manderson & Beau Bennett, these two are #1 & #3 in league scoring during the regular season. The Vipers will also have to try and get lots of pucks and traffic in front of Sean Bonar. Bonar is one of the league’s best and has played very well against the Vipers this season. The Vipers also need to use home ice advantage and win both Games 1 & 2 before heading to Penticton for Games 3 & 4. Vernon needs to play physical against the Vees and try and wear down their defence, Vernon’s game is always strong and dangerous with the forecheck and cycle, the Vipers need to get the puck in deep and play with that strong forecheck down low.
Vernon Vipers Regular Season Scoring:
Connor Jones (36-45-81)
Mike Collins (30-46-76)
Braden Pimm (25-43-68)
Cory Kane (22-33-55)
Jonathan Milhouse (19-34-53)
Kellen Jones (12-41-53)
Rob Short (22-28-50)
Dylan Walchuk (19-28-47)
Cole Ikkala (22-23-45)
Dan Nycholat (7-38-45)
Bryce Kakoske (13-28-41)
Kevin Kraus (5-22-27)
David Robinson (15-10-25)
Adam Thompson (5-20-25)
Steven Weinstein (4-18-22)
Curtis Gedig (11-10-21)
Patrick McGillis (7-14-21)
Garrett Noonan (2-16-18)
Sahir Gill (3-9-12)
Darrin Robak (2-5-7)
Blake Voth (21-2 Record, 3 Shutouts- 1.79 GAA)
Graeme Gordon (30-7 Record, 1 Shutout- 2.06 GAA)
Vernon Vipers Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs. Penticton:
Dan Nycholat (0-5-5)
Connor Jones (1-5-6)
Cory Kane (0-1-1)
Kellen Jones (2-2-4)
Sahir Gill (1-1-1)
David Robinson (1-1-1)
Rob Short (1-1-1)
Garrett Noonan (0-1-1)
Mike Collins (2-1-3)
Dylan Walchuk (0-1-1)
Braden Pimm (1-1-2)
Jonathan Milhouse (2-1-3)
Bryce Kakoske (1-0-1)
Patrick McGillis (1-0-1)
Cole Ikkala (1-0-1)
Kevin Kraus (0-1-1)
Adam Thompson (0-1-1)
Blake Voth (2-0 Record)
Graeme Gordon (1-3 Record)
Vernon Vipers Playoff Scoring:
Connor Jones (4-5-9)
Kellen Jones (2-5-7)
Rob Short (3-3-6)
Cole Ikkala (4-2-6)
Sahir Gill (3-3-6)
Cory Kane (1-4-5)
Garrett Noonan (1-3-4)
Braden Pimm (2-2-4)
Kevin Kraus (0-4-4)
Curtis Gedig (1-2-3)
Adam Thompson (1-2-3)
Mike Collins (1-2-3)
Jonathan Milhouse (2-1-3)
Steven Weinstein (0-2-2)
Dan Nycholat (0-2-2)
David Robinson (1-0-1)
Dylan Walchuk (0-1-1)
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 (3-1 Record, 2 Shutouts, 1.51 GAA)
Penticton Vees:
The Vees finished the regular season in 2nd place in the Interior Division & were ranked #3 In all of Canada with a record of 48-8-0-4 The Vees scored 284 goals and gave up 143 goals. Penticton was 25-3-0-2 on home ice & 23-5-0-2 on the road during the regular season. The Vees are 3-0 at home & 1-2 on the road during these Playoffs. Penticton finished the regular season at 7-2-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Vees had two players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Vees Captain Denver Manderson finished 3rd leading scorer with (40-73-113) while Beau Bennett finised tied with Salmon Arm’s Mark Zengerle as the leagues leading scorer with (41-79-120) Joel Rumpel & Sean Bonar finished in the leagues top 10 goaltenders. Rumpel had a 19-3 record, two shutouts and a GAA of 1.92 Sean Bonar finished with a 28-9 record. Bonar had four shutouts and a GAA of 2.64 For more info, stats and great game coverage check out Ryan Pinders Penticton Vees blog, http://pentictonvees.podbean.com/
Ryan Pinder Has his regular Vees TV and an interview with Vees head coach, Fred Harbinson and his thoughts on the Westside series and with the Vernon Vipers,
http://www.veestv.blip.tv/
Penticton comes into the Interior Conference Finals already facing their third team in these playoffs. The Vees who played very well against the Vipers during the regular season but lost the last two meetings of the season between these two teams, you have to remember Denver Manderson wasn’t in the lineup due to an injury. Penticton will be looking at the split or even trying to taking both games in Vernon before heading home. The Vees will be looking at trying to get to Graeme Gordon early, and try and get lots of shots towards the veteran goaltender. Gordon struggled vs. Penticton during the regular season going 1-3 vs. the Vees. Penticton will want to spend extra attention to the Vipers penalty kill, these guys scored 23 shorthanded goals during the regular season and are very strong while shorthanded. Sean Bonar will have to be solid between the pipes if the Vees want to knock off the defending champs. Penticton also needs to try and shutdown the Vipers top line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones and Sahir Gill. This line has played very well against the Vees. Denver Manderson & Beau Bennett will be looked apon to do lots of damage up front. This series is going to be a battle and could end up into a war, its always fun when these too long time rivals meet up, let the games begin!
Penticton Vees Regular Season Scoring:
Denver Manderson (40-73-119)
Beau Bennett (41-79-120)
Joey Laleggia (13-52-65)
Alex Szczechura (30-33-63)
Garrett Milan (30-30-60)
Joey Holka (28-23-51)
Andrew Pickering (13-33-46)
Matt Paltridge (12-22-34)
Ben Sexton (13-29-32)
Logan Johnston (14-17-31)
Ryan Viselli (11-17-28)
Eric Filiou (12-15-27)
Jake Johnson (9-17-26)
Isaac Macleod (0-23-23)
Bo Dolan (9-16-25)
Luke Curadi (7-10-17)
Derik Johnson (1-13-14)
Byron Sorensen (1-7-8)
Stefan Nicholishen (2-5-7)
Joel Rumpel (19-3 Record, 2 Shutouts-1.97 GAA)
Sean Bonar (28-9 Record, 4 Shutouts-2.64 GAA)
Penticton Vees Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs. Vernon:
Denver Manderson (2-4-6)
Beau Bennett (1-5-6)
Alex Szczechura (3-2-5)
Joey Laleggia (2-2-4)
Garrett Milan (2-2-4)
Joey Holka (3-1-4)
Ben Sexton (0-4-4)
Matt Paltridge (1-2-3)
Bo Dolan (1-1-2)
Logan Johnston (0-1-1)
Eric Filiou (0-1-1)
Derik Johnson (0-1-1)
Sean Bonar (3-3 Record, 1 Shutout)
Penticton Vees Playoff Scoring:
Denver Manderson (8-12-20)
Beau Bennett (4-9-14)
Joey Laleggia (2-8-10)
Garrett Milan (2-7-9)
Logan Johnston (5-2-7)
Ryan Viselli (5-2-7)
Alex Szczechura (5-1-6)
Byron Sorensen (2-3-5)
Andrew Pickering (0-4-4)
Jake Johnson (0-4-4)
Matt Paltridge (1-3-4)
Eric Filiou (1-3-4)
Ben Sexton (1-2-3)
Joey Holka (1-1-2)
Bo Dolan (0-2-2)
Stefan Nicholishen (2-0-2)
Luke Curadi (0-1-1)
Derik Johnson (0-1-1)
Isaac Macleod (0-0-0)
Joel Rumpel (0-0 Record)
Sean Bonar (8-2 Record, 1 Shutout-1.92 GAA)
Heres a look at the regular season series between Vernon & Penticton:
Saturday October 3rd @ Vernon: Penticton wins 2-0
Vernon outshot Penticton 34-15 but lost their first game of the season 2-0 after Denver Manderson (shorthanded) & Joey Holka scored for the Vees. The Vipers had many chances but couldn’t beat Sean Bonar who played very well making 34 saves for the shutout. Graeme Gordon made 13 saves in the loss. Penticton ended Vernon’s 22 game winning streak (going back to Game six of last years BCHL Finals)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712575&link=bchl
Friday October 9th @ Penticton: Vernon wins 2-1 Overtime
Mike Collins 2nd period goal looked like the game winner before Alex Szczechura tied the game late in the 3rd at 15:11 sending the game to overtime. Dylan Walchuk setup Rob Short at 2:30 of the extra period giving the Vipers the 2-1 OT victory. Graeme Gordon made 24 saves for the win, while Sean Bonar made 25 saves taking the loss. Vernon outshot Penticton 27-25.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712589
Friday, December 4th @ Vernon: Penticton wins 4-1
Alex Szczechura & Denver Manderson seconds apart put Penticton up 2-0 early in the 1st period before Bryce Kakoske with a late goal cut the lead to 2-1. Specialty teams took over in the 2nd period as Garrett Milan & Joey Holka scored on the powerplay giving the Vees a 4-1 lead heading into the 3rd. No scoring in the final period as Penticton defeated the Vipers 4-1 outshooting Vernon 36-25. Sean Bonar made 25 saves for the win, while Graeme Gordon made 32 saves taking the loss. Denver Manderson collected three points.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712772
Saturday, December 12th @ Penticton: Penticton wins 3-2 overtime
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1
Vernon Vipers at 4:19 (PP) - Jonathan Milhouse from Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat
PERIOD 2
No Scoring
PERIOD 3
Penticton Vees at 2:06 (PP) - Joey Laleggia from Beau Bennett and Denver Manderson
Vernon Vipers at 4:35 (SH) - Jonathan Milhouse from Mike Collins and Dan Nycholat
Penticton Vees at 9:45 - Joey Holka from Garrett Milan and Ben Sexton
OVERTIME
Penticton Vees at 3:40 - Matt Paltridge from Beau Bennett and Denver Manderson
Vernon outshoots Penticton 39-28 Sean Bonar makes 37 saves for the victory, while Graeme Gordon makes 25 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712800&link=bchl
Friday February 12th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-3
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1
Vernon Vipers at 3:52 - Kellen Jones from Kevin Kraus and Connor Jones
PERIOD 2
Vernon Vipers at 6:38 (PP) - Mike Collins from Dan Nycholat
Vernon Vipers at 8:37 (PP) - Cole Ikkala from Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat
Penticton Vees at 9:43 - Joey Laleggia from Logan Johnston and Bo Dolan
Vernon Vipers at 18:42 - Connor Jones from Kellen Jones and David Robinson
PERIOD 3
Penticton Vees at 12:36 (PP) - Garrett Milan from Beau Bennett and Alex Szczechura
Penticton Vees at 13:51 (PP) - Beau Bennett from Joey Laleggia and Ben Sexton
Vernon Vipers at 19:27 (PP) - Braden Pimm from Sahir Gill and Adam Thompson
Vernon outshot Penticton 29-20. Blake Voth made 17 saves for the win, while Sean Bonar made 24 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712976&link=bchl
Wednesday February 17th @ Penticton: Vernon wins 3-2 (Overtime)
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1
Penticton Vees at 8:47 (PP) - Alex Szczechura from Beau Bennett and Garrett Milan
PERIOD 2
No Scoring
PERIOD 3
Vernon Vipers at 3:04 - Sahir Gill from Cory Kane and Rob Short
Penticton Vees at 5:01 - Bo Dolan from Eric Filiou
Vernon Vipers at 14:33 - David Robinson from Kellen Jones and Connor Jones
OVERTIME PERIOD 1
Vernon Vipers at 2:18 - Kellen Jones from Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat
Vernon outshot Penticton 30-25. Blake Voth made 23 saves for the win, while Sean Bonar made 27 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712991&link=bchl
Here’s a look at the previous Playoff meetings between these two teams:
1966-67 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 1
1967-68 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 0
1971-72 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3 (BCJHL Final)
1973-74 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 0
1974-75 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
1975-76 Penticton defeated Vernon (No Stats)
1976-77 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 2
1982-83 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 3
1986-87 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
1987-88 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
1992-93 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 1
1993-94 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3
1994-95 Penticton come back down 3-1 defeating Vernon 4 games to 3
2001-02 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
2002-03 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
2004-05 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
2006-07 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 1
2007-08 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 3
2008-09 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 1
Here's a look at the Vipers-Vees Playoff Schedule:
Interior Conference Finals (3rd Round):
#1 Vernon Vipers vs #2 Penticton Vees
Game 1 - Friday, March 19th @ Vernon:
Game 2 - Saturday, March 20th @ Vernon:
Game 3 - Tuesday, March 23rd @ Penticton:
Game 4 - Wednesday, March 24th @ Penticton:
Game 5* - Friday, March 26th @ Vernon:
Game 6* - Saturday, March 27th @ Penticton:
Game 7* - Sunday, March 28th @ Vernon:
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