Game Preview: Spruce Grove (13-7) @ Vernon (15-8)The Fred Page Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Enerflex Cup Champion Spruce Grove Saints meet in Game 5 of the Doyle Cup tonight in Vernon, where the remainder of the series will be held. Vernon is coming off a 6-3 victory last night in Game 4. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45pm
Last Game Played: Game 4: Wednesday, April 21st Vernon defeated Spruce Grove 6-3
Lets take a look at both teams,
Vernon Vipers: (15-8)
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: 8-3
Road Playoff Record: 7-5
The Vipers are one win away from winning back to back Doyle Cups and a trip back to the Royal Bank Cup. The last time Vernon won back to back Doyle Cup Championships was way back in 1991 & 1992 when the Vernon Lakers won back to back Doyle Cups. A win and this will be back to back trips to the Royal Bank Cup as well, and a first since the 1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers made it back to back National Championships. With Vernon up 3-1 in the series and the remainder of the games played here in Vernon, you have to figure the Vipers have a stranglehold on the series but you also have to remember it takes four wins to win a series and sometimes the fourth win is always the toughest. Don’t count out Spruce Grove just yet. After outplaying the Saints in Game 1 the Vipers still managed to lose 6-5 in Overtime, but have now won three straight games vs. Spruce Grove with scores of 3-2, 3-2 in double overtime and now 6-3. Last night Vernon was by far the better of the two teams carrying most of the play, getting a ton of good quality scoring chances. It was in the 2nd period when the Vipers would score three times (once shorthanded) to take a 4-1 lead heading into the 3rd.
-The Vipers will be going for a record 7th Doyle Cup Championship tonight.
-Vernon cant sit back, they need to be ready and focused and willing to do whatever it takes to win, and not give the Saints a sniff at a Game 6.
-You have to figure the 13 returning players from last years Royal Bank Cup Championship team have the experience and know what it takes to win.
-Graeme Gordon still needs to be the Vipers best player, they need to count on him to make the big save when needed.
-The Vipers penalty kill was very dangerous in Game 4 scoring once shorthanded, as well as getting several good shorthanded scoring chances. Specialty teams are always a key in any game or playoff series.
-The Vipers are one win away from winning back to back Doyle Cup Championships and cant let this get in the way, they need to be ready and focused and stick to their game plan.
-The Vipers speed, skill and cycle-forecheck has been havock for the Saints, this is where the Vipers need to use these skill’s to their advantage.
-Vernon needs to be better in their own end, either clearing the zone or breaking out from their own end. In Game 4 the Vipers were caught stick handling out of their own end, wich caused several turnovers, wich did result in atleast two Saints goals.
-The Vipers need to use the much bigger facility and ice surface at the Wesbild Centre and use that to their advantage. Spruce Grove is use to playing on a much smaller ice surface, so make the Saints pay using home ice advantage.
-The last Alberta team to face off against the Vipers here at the Wesbild Centre for the Doyle Cup was the Camrose Kodiaks back in 2001-02. Camrose went on to win the series in six games.
-Tonight could be the final & last home game of the season for the Vernon Vipers. A win and the Vipers head to Manitoba for the Royal Bank Cup. So this will be your last chance to see several veteran Vipers that will be moving on next season. Let’s take a look at the Vipers that wont be returning next season and how long they have played in a Vipers jersey.
Connor Jones (2006-2010)
Kellen Jones (2006-2010)
Braden Pimm (2007-2010)
Cory Kane (2008-2010)
Jonathan Milhouse (2009-2010)
Rob Short (2006-2010)
Dan Nycholat (2009-2010)
Kevin Kraus (2007-2010)
Curtis Gedig (2009-2010)
Sahir Gill (2008-2010)
Mike Collins (2008-2010)
Graeme Gordon (2008-2010) Played in the BCHL from (2006-2010)
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:
Connor Jones (4-2-6)
Kellen Jones (2-4-6)
Sahir Gill (-1-3-4)
Braden Pimm (1-3-4)
Steve Weinstein (0-4-4)
Cory Kane (2-1-3)
Mike Collins (2-1-3)
Cole Ikkala (1-1-2)
Kevin Kraus (1-1-2)
Curtis Gedig (0-2-2)
David Robinson (2-0-2)
Dan Nycholat (0-1-1)
Adam Thompson (0-1-1)
Dylan Walchuk (1-0-1)
Patrick McGillis (0-1-1)
Graeme Gordon (3-1 Record, 2.88 GAA)
Spruce Grove Saints: (13-7)
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: 5-3
The Saints who are down but not yet out are trailing the Vipers 3-1 in the series with a huge uphill battle to climb now. You can throw all the stats out the window, forget any records or stats that were broken during the regular season and this postseason. Tonight is a must win game for Spruce Grove or the #1 ranked team in all of Canada will be heading home with their season coming to an end. You can bet the Spruce Grove Saints will empty the tanks tonight and play with full desperation doing whatever it takes to win atleast Game 5 tonight and try and force a Game 6 here Saturday. Spruce Grove who has been outplayed in most of the games in this series played its best game in a 3-2 double overtime loss back in Game 3, Spruce Grove did get a few chances and had some pressure on the Vipers in Game 4 but not enough to pull out a win.
-After playing their first game in the Wesbild Centre last night, will the Saints change their game plan going into Game 5 tonight?
-Spruce Grove is going to have to empty the tank and play its best game of the season if they want to extend this series to a Game 6.
-The Saints will need either Travis Rolheiser or Vincenzo Marozzi to be at their best and give the Saints a chance to win. Goaltending will be key tonight.
-Can Spruce Grove contain or even slow down and try and stop Vernon’s speed, skill, cycle and strong forecheck down low? The Vipers are given way too much time and space in the Saints zone.
-Spruce Grove who has a bigger team needs to play physical and take the body against the Vipers.
-Specialty teams will be key, Spruce Grove needs to get the powerplay going, something that has struggled over the last two-three games. The Saints cant afford to give up any shorthanded goals tonight, they need to really pay attention to Vernons strong and dangerous penalty kill.
-The Saints need to try and forecheck the Vernon defence, just like Powell River did in the BCHL Fred Page Cup. The Kings were very successful in doing this.
-Spruce Grove needs to create and generate more scoring opportunities, as well as get more pucks and traffic towards Graeme Gordon and the Vernon goal.
-The Saints have rotated goaltenders each and every game, In Game 4 last night Vince Marozzi got his second straight start. Will the Saints go back with Marozzi or go back to their routine and give the start to Travis Rolheiser.
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)
Scott Allen (2-2-4)
Adam Henderson (2-1-3)
Ryan Kerr (0-3-3)
Tim Nolte (1-1-2)
Jordan Draper (1-1-2)
Joshua Lazowski (1-1-2)
Kodie Curran (1-1-2)
Liam Darragh (0-2-2)
Josh Koper (1-0-1)
Brett Cameron (0-1-1)
Carson Cooper (0-1-1)
Dillon Simpson (0-1-1)
Vincenzo Marozzi (1-2 Record, 4.18 GAA)
Travis Rolheiser (0-1 Record, 2.52 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
Game 4: Wednesday, April 21st @ Vernon: Vernon wins 6-3
David Robinson opened the scoring at 11:24 before Bryce Van Brabant ties the game at 14:11 It was tied after 20 minutes of play. Mike Collins on the powerplay at 1:52 gives Vernon the 2-1 lead. Connor Jones with two, one shorthanded at 7:21 and then even strength at 17:31 This was the end of the night for Vincenzo Marozzi after being pulled giving up four goals on 27 shots. Vernon with a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes. David Robinson with his second goal of the night at 5:54 gives the Vipers a 5-1 lead. Two quick goals by Kodie Curran & Josh Keizer cuts the lead to 5-3 but it wasn’t enough as Mike Collins with his second of the night into an empty netter at 19:20 gives the Vipers a 6-3 win and a 3-1 series lead. Vernon outshoots Spruce Grove 40-28. Graeme Gordon makes 25 saves in the win, while Vincenzo Marozzi makes 19 saves taking the loss.
http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=819179&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
GO VIPERS GO!
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