Game Preview: Spruce Grove (13-6) @ Vernon (14-8)The Fred Page Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Enerflex Cup Champion Spruce Grove Saints meet in Game 4 of the Doyle Cup tonight in Vernon, where the remainder of the series will be held. Vernon is coming off a 3-2 double overtime victory Sunday night in Game 3. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45pm
Last Game Played: Game 3: Sunday, April 18th Vernon defeated Spruce Grove 3-2 (Double Overtime)
Lets take a look at both teams,
Vernon Vipers: (14-8)
2010 Vernon Vipers Playoff Schedule & Results:
1st Round: First Round Bye
2nd Round: Defeated Quesnel in six games
Interior Conference Finals: Defeated Penticton in six games
Fred Page Cup (BCHL Finals): Defeated Powell River in seven games
Home Playoff Record: 7-3
Road Playoff Record: 7-5
Vernon is 3-17 on the powerplay vs Spruce Grove.
The Vipers come home with a 2-1 series lead and the remainder of the games held in Vernon. The Vipers are coming home riding a two game winning streak with a 3-2 win in Game 2 and a 3-2 double overtime win in Game 3. Tonight is a key game for both teams. A win tonight & Vernon is up 3-1 in the series with a stranglehold on the Doyle Cup, a loss and the series is all tied 2-2. The Vipers after not competing enough and losing most of the battles and races in Game 1, fell 6-5 in Overtime after Graeme Gordon had his worst outing of these Playoffs. Gordon and the Vipers did re-group and have now won the last two games. I think Vernon has been the better of the two teams in two of the three games. All three games have been decided by one goal, two of the games went to Overtime. What I have been most impressed with is how Graeme Gordon has come back after a shaky Game 1 performance and played well in Games 2 & 3. I have also liked how the Vipers secondary scoring has helped out this series, where as the Jones-Gill line did most of the scoring in the Powell River series.
-The Vipers are now home for the remainder of the series.
-You have to figure this is a series now for the Vipers to lose, especially up 2-1 with the remainder of the games on home ice.
-Graeme Gordon rebounded after a shaky Game 1 start and has played well in Games 2 & 3 but has to continue to be one of the best Vipers in order for this team to win.
-The Vipers veteran experience and home ice advantage has to be an advantage in this series.
-Vernon needs to try and figure out their powerplay, as the man advantage has struggled all post season.
-The Vipers have to stay out of the penalty box, as the Saints have a very lethal powerplay.
-The Vipers have scored first in two of the first three games of the series.
-Let’s hope Vernon gets behind its hockey team and comes out to support this team in its final few home games of the season.
-Vernon has to use their speed, skill and very strong forecheck to their advantage.
-The Vipers need to start to capitalize on some of their chances and not give the Saints a chance to hang around.
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 Playoff Scoring:
Connor Jones (9-11-20)
Kellen Jones (5-14-19)
Sahir Gill (6-9-15)
Jonathan Milhouse (6-7-13)
Rob Short (6-6-12)
Dan Nycholat (3-7-10)
Cory Kane (2-8-10)
David Robinson (3-7-10)
Cole Ikkala (6-3-9)
Mike Collins (2-6-8)
Braden Pimm (3-5-8)
Adam Thompson (2-5-7)
Kevin Kraus (1-5-6)
Garrett Noonan (3-3-6)
Bryce Kakoske (3-3-6)
Curtis Gedig (1-5-6)
Steven Weinstein (0-5-5)
Dylan Walchuk (1-4-5)
Patrick McGillis (0-0-0)
Darrin Robak (0-0-0)
Blake Voth (1-1 Record, 3.08 GAA)
Graeme Gordon (11-6 Record, 4 Shutouts, 1.90 GAA)
Vernon Vipers Doyle Cup Scoring:
Kellen Jones (2-3-5)
Connor Jones (2-2-4)
Sahir Gill (-1-2-3)
Braden Pimm (1-2-3)
Cole Ikkala (1-1-2)
Kevin Kraus (1-1-2)
Cory Kane (2-0-2)
Curtis Gedig (0-2-2)
Steve Weinstein (0-2-2)
Dan Nycholat (0-1-1)
Adam Thompson (0-1-1)
Mike Collins (0-1-1)
Dylan Walchuk (1-0-1)
Patrick McGillis (0-1-1)
Graeme Gordon (2-1 Record, 2.85 GAA)
Spruce Grove Saints: (13-6)
2010 Spruce Grove Saints Playoff Schedule & Results:
1st Round: First Round Bye
2nd Round: Defeated Bonnyville in four games
3rd Round: Defeated Camrose in five games
Enerflex Cup: (AJHL Finals): Defeated Fort McMurray in seven games
Home Playoff Record: 8-4
Road Playoff Record: 5-2
Spruce Grove is 4-13 on the powerplay vs Vernon.
The Saints make their first ever visit to Vernon and the Wesbild Centre. A much larger ice surface and overall bigger facility compared to the Grant Fuhr Arena back home where Spruce Grove calls home. Tonight is almost a must win for the Saints, a win and the series is all tied 2-2, a loss and Vernon grabs a 3-1 series lead with the remainder of the games at home. Spruce Grove played their best game of the series Sunday in Game 3 but fell 3-2 in double overtime. A game where they tied the contest up late and had several chances to win it in both overtimes, hitting several posts and crossbars. The Saints who were outplayed in both Games 1 & 2 but managed to pull off a win in Game 1 will have to play their best hockey in a rink that they have never played in before.
-Spruce Grove will have to adjust to the different rink and its size real fast and in a real hurry. It will be interesting to see how the Saints play and do on the much bigger ice surface
-The Saints who are a bigger hockey club, need to use their physical play to their advantage and lay the body on the Vipers.
-Spruce Grove has a very strong powerplay and must try and capitalize with the man advantage.
-The Saints have had troubles all series containing the Vipers speed and skill, they must try and find a way to slow down & stop Vernons forecheck and attack down low.
-Goaltending will be key, both Vincenzo Marozzi & Travis Rolheiser will have to come up with the big save when needed.
-You can bet the Saints will show a lot of desperation in their game tonight, so they need to be carefull causing turnovers.
-Defenceman, Wes McLeod will be making his return to the Wesbild Centre, since last playing here as a member of the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings.
-Former Vernon Vipers forward, Brett Switzer will make his first return to Vernon since being traded last year, but is unable to play due to being injured.
Spruce Grove Saints Regular Season Scoring:
Joshua Lazowski (26-52-78)
Nate Fleming (23-38-61)
Adam Henderson (21-35-56)
Jordan Draper (22-30-52)
Scott Allen (25-26-51)
Kodie Curran (10-38-48)
Dillon Simpson (12-29-41)
Ryan Kerr (12-17-29)
Brett Cameron (9-20-29)
Brett Switzer (13-14-27)
David Glen (12-13-25)
Liam Darragh (11-14-25)
Josh Keizer (12-11-23)
Carson Cooper (6-15-21)
Malcolm Tomlinson (2-16-18)
Bryce Van Brabant (8-6-14)
Josh Koper (9-2-11)
Shaun Rolling (7-4-11)
Wes McLeod (4-6-10)
Jesse Slobodian (0-10-10)
Rory Connop (1-4-5)
Tim Nolte (2-1-3)
Tyler Hart (1-1-2)
Travis Rolheiser (26-3 Record, 4 Shutouts- 1.58 GAA)
Vincenzo Marozzi (26-1-4 Record, 7 Shutouts- 1.67 GAA)
Spruce Grove Playoff Scoring:
Adam Henderson (14-6-20)
Brett Cameron (9-7-16)
Jordan Draper (6-9-15)
Kodie Curran (3-8-11)
Scott Allen (5-5-10)
Josh Koper (5-5-10)
Joshua Lazowski (3-6-9)
David Glen (3-5-8)
Carson Cooper (2-5-7)
Wes McLeod (2-5-7)
Nate Fleming (1-6-7)
Dillon Simpson (0-6-6)
Josh Keizer (2-3-5)
Bryce Van Brabant (1-4-5)
Ryan Kerr (1-3-4)
Liam Darragh (1-1-2)
Tyler Hart (0-2-2)
Rory Connop (0-1-1)
Tim Nolte (0-1-1)
Brett Switzer (0-0-0)
Malcolm Tomlinson (0-0-0)
Shaun Rolling (0-0-0)
Jesse Slobodian (0-0-0)
Travis Rolheiser (4-4 Record, 1 Shutouts- 2.10 GAA)
Vincenzo Marozzi (8-0 Record, 2 Shutouts- 1.63 GAA)
Spruce Grove Saints Doyle Cup Scoring:
Nate Fleming (2-2-4)
Adam Henderson (2-1-3)
Scott Allen (2-1-3)
Ryan Kerr (0-3-3)
Tim Nolte (1-1-2)
Jordan Draper (1-1-2)
Joshua Lazowski (1-1-2)
Josh Koper (1-0-1)
Brett Cameron (0-1-1)
Carson Cooper (0-1-1)
Dillon Simpson (0-1-1)
Vincenzo Marozzi (1-1 Record, 3.20 GAA)
Travis Rolheiser (0-1 Record, 3.08 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the series:
Game 1: Friday, April 16th @ Spruce Grove: Spruce Grove won 6-5 in Overtime
Cole Ikkala opens the scoring just 1:08 into the hockey game giving Vernon a 1-0 lead. Adam Henderson’s powerplay goal at 11:28 ties the game 1-1. Braden Pimm gives Vernon a 2-1 lead at 16:00 before Josh Koper’s late goal at 19:39 sends the game 2-2 heading into the 2nd period. Cory Kane at 2:21 on the man advantage gives the Vipers a 3-2 lead before Nate Fleming’s powerplay goal ties the game at 6:58. Fleming then give’s Spruce Grove their first lead of the night with a goal at 12:21 Kellen Jones just 1:09 into the 3rd ties the game early. Tim Nolte’s goal at 9:30 gives the Saints their second lead of the game before Connor Jones sends the game to Overtime with a goal at 16:43. In Overtime Scott Allen’s powerplay goal at 5:58 gives the Saints a 6-5 OT victory. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 33-31. Vincenzo Marozzi made 28 saves picking up the win, while Graeme Gordon made 25 saves taking the loss.
http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=819175&link=DoyleCup
Game 2: Saturday, April 17th @ Spruce Grove: Vernon wins 3-2
After a scoreless 1st period, Scott Allen opens the scoring at 4:14 into the 2nd period giving the Saints a 1-0 lead. Kevin Kraus, Connor Jones & Kellen Jones give Vernon a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Jordan Draper at 18:10 makes things interesting but the Vipers would hang on for the 3-2 win and tie the series. Vernon outshots Spruce Grove 38-25. Graeme Gordon made 23 saves for the win, while Travis Rolheiser made 35 saves taking the loss.
http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=819176&link=DoyleCup
Game 3: Sunday, April 18th @ Spruce Grove: Vernon wins 3-2 (Double Overtime)
Dylan Walchuk with the lone goal, gives Vernon a 1-0 lead after the end of the 1st period. Joshua Lazowski just 56 seconds into the 2nd period on the man advantage ties the game before Sahir Gill at 11:15 re-gives the Vipers a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd. Adam Henderson with the goaltender out for the extra attacker ties the game 2-2 at 18:56 sending the game to overtime. No scoring in the first overtime period before Cory Kane scores the OT winner in double overtime at 15:12 on the powerplay to give Vernon a 2-1 series lead heading back to the Okanagan for the remainder of the series. The Saints outshot the Vipers 37-34. Graeme Gordon made 35 saves for the win, while Vincenzo Marozzi made 31 saves taking his first playoff loss.
http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=819177&link=DoyleCup
Here's a look at the Vipers-Saints Doyle Cup Schedule:
#2 Vernon Vipers vs #1 Spruce Grove Saints
2010 Doyle Cup Schedule:
Sweep First Two Games
Game 1 April 16, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 2 April 17, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 3 April 20, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 4 April 21, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 5 April 23, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 6 April 24, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 7 April 25, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Split First Two Games
Game 1 April 16, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 2 April 17, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 3 April 18, 2010 @ Spruce Grove 7:00 PM
Game 4 April 21, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 5 April 22, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 6 April 24, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
Game 7 April 25, 2010 @ Vernon 7:00 PM
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