(Game Preview) Vernon @ Merritt:

Vernon (4-4-0-2) @ Merritt (1-8-0-0)

Today is the second meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & Merritt Centennials. The Centennials picked up their one and only win of the season over the Vipers just over a week ago back in Vernon. Vernon is coming off a 4-2 loss to the Cowichan Valley Capitals last night and have now dropped two straight. Merritt is coming off a 9-5 loss to the Langley Chiefs Friday night had and have lost four straight. Todays game wont be on Kiss FM, The game starts at 2pm.

Last Game Played:

Saturday, October 2nd Cowichan Valley defeated Vernon 4-2
Friday, October 1st Langley defeated Merritt 9-5

Next Game:

Wednesday, October 6th Quesnel @ Vernon
Friday, October 8th Merritt @ Salmon Arm

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

Games Played: 10
Wins: 4
Losses: 4
Home Record: 1-3
Road Record: 3-3
Streak: Lost Two Straight
Goals For: 29
Goals Against: 28
Standings: 3rd Place

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon is 43-6-0-4 vs. Merritt

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon has outscored Merritt 244-121

Returning Players:

Bryce Kakoske (90)
David Robinson (90)
Blake Voth (91)
Steve Weinstein (90)
Adam Thompson (90)
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Connor Jones (90)
Mike Collins (90)
Braden Pimm (89)
Cory Kane (90)
Jonathan Milhouse (89)
Kellen Jones (90)
Rob Short (89)
Cole Ikkala (90)
Dan Nycholat (89)
Kevin Kraus (89)
Curtis Gedig (91)
Garrett Noonan (91)
Sahir Gill (92)
Darrin Robak (91)
Graeme Gordon (89)

-These same two teams met just over a week ago with the Cents picking up their first win of the season and their first win over the Vipers since January 14, 2007.

-This will be Vernon’s fifth road game out of their last six games.

-This is the Vipers second straight weekend with three games in three days

-The Vipers got in around 4am Saturday morning from their 3-2 double overtime loss in Trail, and now have to play in Merritt this afternoon at 2pm after a home game to Cowichan Valley last night. In the mean time Merritt hasn’t played since Friday night. Will the Vipers have enough energy to come up with a victory?

-Vernon needs to put in a solid 60 minutes and battle and compete with Merritt
-Specialty teams will be key, the Vipers were 2-9 last night on the powerplay

-Goaltending will also be key, Who will get the start in goal for Vernon?

-The Vipers need a much better effort and performance this afternoon after coming off a 4-2 loss to the Capitals last night.

Let's take a look at the Merritt Centennials:

Games Played: 9
Wins: 1
Losses: 8
Home Record: 0-2
Road Record: 1-6
Streak: Have Lost Four Straight
Goals For: 22
Goals Against: 48
Sits in last place in the Interior Division

For more info, stats and great coverage on the Centennials, please visit Brian Wiebe’s Merritt Centennials blog, http://merrittcentennials.blogspot.com/

Returning Players:

Alexander MacMillan (90)
Silvan Harper (92)
Jeff Jones (91)
Dustin Johnson (90)
David Sabey (91)
Steve Wall (91)
Steve Tresierra (90)
Jeff Zmurchyk (90)
Kameran Crawford (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Colton Sobchak
Derek Hills
Alex Valenti
Mitch Jones
Matt Mazzarolo
Ryne Bodger
Daniel Chang
Lucas Daoust
Sam Gemmell
Austin Baecker
Keith Hamilton
Cole Holowenko

-Merritt has five former Vipers on their team. David Sabey, Jeff Jones and Tyler Steel who all were cut from the Vipers training camp. & Steve Tresierra & head coach-gm Luke Pierce who both played in Vernon.

-Today is just Merritt’s third home game of the season, while they have already played seven away from home.

-The Centennials have yet to get a win on home ice.

-Will Tyler Steel face off against his former team again? Steel made 30 saves in Merritt’s only victory against Vernon just over a week ago.

-Merritt has had troubles putting the puck in the net and keeping the puck out.

-The Cents need to take advantage of the smaller ice surface and play physical against the Vipers.

Here’s a look at the season series between these two teams:

Tuesday, September 21st @ Vernon: Merritt wins 5-4 (double overtime)

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 3:34 - Dylan Walchuk from Marcus Basara and David Robinson
Merritt Centennials at 5:50 (PP) - Regan Soquila from Stephen Wall
Merritt Centennials at 19:43 (PP) - Dustin Johnson from Kameran Crawford and Jeff Jones

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 11:17 (PP) - Steven Weinstein from Bryce Kakoske and Kyle Murphy

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 3:53 - Marcus Basara from Dylan Walchuk and David Robinson
Merritt Centennials at 6:44 (PP) - Jeff Jones from Dustin Johnson and Max Vallis
Merritt Centennials at 16:52 (PS) - Dustin Johnson (unassisted)
Vernon Vipers at 19:28 - Dylan Walchuk from John Knisley and Philip Patenaude

OVERTIME PERIOD 2

Merritt Centennials at 2:20 - Jeff Zmurchyk from Stephen Wall

Vernon outshot Merritt 34-24. Tyler Steel made 30 saves picking up his first career BCHL win, while Bryton Udy took the loss in his BCHL debut.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=839996&link=bchl

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (7-4-11)
David Robinson (1-7-8)
Bryce Kakoske (2-6-8)
John Knisley (3-5-8)
Aaron Hadley (1-5-6)
Steven Weinstein (2-3-5)
Marcus Basara (1-4-5)
Kyle Murphy (2-3-5)
Trevor Fitzgerald (4-1-5)
Todd Skirving (1-2-3)
Michael Zalewski (2-2-4)
Brett Corkey (0-2-2)
Colton Sparrow (0-2-2)
Malcolm Lyles (1-1-2)
Patrick McGillis (0-1-1)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)
Elliot Richardson (1-0-1)
Darren Nowick (0-1-1)
Adam Thompson (1-2-3)
Gus Correale (0-0-0)
Max Mowat (0-0-0)

Bryton Udy (0-2 Record, 1 Shutout, 4.28 GAA)
Blake Voth (4-4 Record, 2.34 GAA)

Merritt:

Dustin Johnson (4-6-10)
Jeff Jones (4-4-8)
Regan Soquila (4-2-6)
Steve Tresierra (0-5-5)
Max Vallis (2-3-5)
Steve Wall (2-2-4)
Jeff Zmurchyk (1-2-3)
Jakob Reichert (1-2-3)
Kameran Crawford (1-2-3)
Sean Maktaak (0-2-2)
David Sabey (0-2-2)
Silvan Harper (0-1-1)
Evan Stack (0-1-1)
Dustin Lebrun (1-0-1)
Brandon Pfeil (0-1-1)
Richard Sabourin (0-0-0)
Chad Brears (0-0-0)
Dylan Playfair (0-0-0)
Billy Marshall (0-0-0)
Reece Willcox (0-0-0)

Jared Andersen (0-3 Record, 6.84 GAA)
Tyler Steel (1-5 Record, 4.61 GAA)