(Game Preview) Vernon @ Trail:

Vernon (4-3-0-1) @ Trail (7-3-0-0)

Tonight is the first meeting of the season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Vipers are on their last game of a final four game road trip. Vernon is currently 2-1 on the trip coming into action tonight. The Smoke Eaters head out on a small two game road trip after tonights game. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 7:15pm.

Last Game Played:

Sunday, September 26th Vernon defeated Prince George 6-0
Wednesday, September 29th Trail defeated Cowichan Valley 6-1

Next Game:

Saturday, October 2nd Cowichan Valley @ Vernon
Saturday, October 2nd Trail @ Westside

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

Games Played: 8
Wins: 4
Losses: 3
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 1
Home Record: 1-2
Road Record: 3-2
Streak: Two Game winning streak
Goals For: 25
Goals Against: 21
Standings: 4th Place

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon is 38-10-1-0 vs. Trail

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon has outscored Trail 204-116

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)

-Vernon will have their hands full against the Interior Division leading Trail Smoke Eaters.

-The Vipers have given up just two goals in their last two games.

-This is the final game of a current four game road trip.

-Tonight is the first of three straight for the Vipers (Trail, Cowichan Valley & Merritt)

-This is the Vipers second straight three game weekend.

-Vernon plays away from home every Friday of this month, but play at home every Saturday this month.

-Tonight will be a strong test as the Vipers face off against one of the leagues best.

-Getting off to a good start on the road against the #1 team in the Division will be key.

-The Vipers need to stay out of the penalty box, as giving up early powerplay goals to put them behind has been a bit of a problem this season.

Let's take a look at the Trail Smoke Eaters:

Games Played: 10
Wins: 7
Losses: 3
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 0
Home Record: 3-1
Road Record: 4-2
Streak: Two Game Winning Streak
Goals For: 42
Goals Against: 24
Standings: 1st Place

For more info, stats and great coverage on the Smoke Eaters, please visit Jon’s Trail Smoke Eaters blog, http://smokeeatersblog.com/ Jon is the new play by play man for the Smokies after former play by play man, Shawn Mullin left for the WHL Swift Current Broncos.

Returning Players:

Scott Jacklin (90)
Sam Mellor (92)
Travis St. Denis (92)
Paul Mailey (90)
Steve Koshey (91)
Graeme Strukoff (91)
Curtis Tonello (90)
Ben Matthews (91)
Steve Oursov (91)
Kiefer Smiley (90)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Nick Sandor (89)
Michael Betz (92)
Darnell Dyck (91)
Matt Wilkins (91)
Wade Bennett (90)
Mitch Kaufmann (91)
Sean Nugent (89)
Tommy Rizzardo (90)
Justin Brown (91)
Eric Walker (93)
Thomas Abenante (90)
Taylor Swaffield (89)
Garrett Beckwith (90)

-Does anyone remember the last time the Smokies were in 1st place?

-The Smoke Eaters have got off to a strong start to start the season at 7-3, can they keep this up and be one of the top Interior Division teams come playoffs?

-Trail can put the puck in the net, atleast early into the season scoring 42 goals.

-The Smoke Eaters had trouble against the Vipers last season going 0-6.

-The Smoke Eaters are into their 15th season playing in the BCHL after joining the league way back in 1995-96.

-The Smokies first game in the BCHL back in 1995-96 was against the eventual Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers.

-Trail needs to try and slow down the Vipers, Vernon has alot of speed up front and can really move the puck well if on their game.

-The Smokies have three players (Sam Mellor, Scott Jacklin & Travis St. Denis) all leading the league 1,2,3 in scoring.

-Veteran goaltender Kiefer Smiley was named BCHL player of the week Monday.

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

Friday September 18th @ Trail: Vernon wins 7-1

Tonight was the first of a home and home series between these two teams in the Smoke Eaters home opener. Newly acquired defenceman Marc-Antoine Chaput, a 17-year old from Quebec, suited up for Trail after arriving in town today. The Vipers exploded for five 1st period goals taking out the Smoke Eaters 7-1 in front of 1029 fans at Cominco Arena. Cory Kane with 3 goals, Jonathan Milhouse, Steven Weinstein, Braden Pimm & Bryce Kakoske scored for Vernon, Mike Collins picked up 2 assists. Travis St. Denis broke Graeme Gordons shutout midway through the 3rd. Gordon made 23 saves for the win, while Devon Murtagh & Garrett Beckwith split the duties between the pipes for Trail, Murtagh took the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712524&link=bchl

Saturday September 19th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-1

After no scoring in the opening period the Vipers were up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. Mike Collins * Sawyer Mick scored for Vernon. Tye Lewis scored for Trail. Kevin Kraus, Cole Ikkala & Cory Kane scored for the Vipers in the 3rd giving Vernon the 5-1 victory. Graeme Gordon made 19 saves getting the win. Garrett Beckwith made 35 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712532&link=bchl

Friday November 13th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 8-4

Vernon was up 3-2 after the 1st period on goals from, Cole Ikkala, Braden Pimm & Drew George. Sam Mellor and Travis St. Denis replied for the Smokies. Specialty teams was the difference in the 2nd period as Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat (powerplay) scored for Vernon, while Travis St. Denis scored his 2nd and 3rd goals of the game on the man advantage. The Vipers put the game away in the 3rd after Dan Nycholat (powerplay), Rob Short & Kellen Jones scored for Vernon in a 8-4 victory. The Vipers have now won 16 straight games. Kiefer Smiley made 42 saves in the loss while Graeme Gordon made 17 saves picking up the win. Vernon outshot Trail 50-21

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712708&link=bchl

Saturday November 14th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 7-1

Cole Ikkala, Connor Jones & Bryce Kakoske put Vernon up 3-0 after 20 minutes of play. Mike Collins & Connor Jones with two put the Vipers up 6-0 after 40 minutes of play. Paul Mailey broke Blake Voths shutout bid at 4:34 of the 3rd getting the Smokies on the scoreboard. Cory Kane added a shorthanded marker giving Vernon the 7-1 victory. Blake Voth made 29 saves for the win, while Kiefer Smiley made 17 saves taking the loss. Garrett Beckwith came in for relief making 17 saves. The Vipers outshot the Smoke Eaters 41-30.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712713

Saturday December 5th @ Trail: Vernon wins 3-2 (Overtime)

Scott Jacklin put Trail up 1-0 after the opening period after scoring on the powerplay at 16:46. Kevin Kraus & Bryce Kakoske put Vernon ahead 2-1 before Matt Wilkins goal at 18:03 tied the game 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. No scoring in the 3rd resulted in both teams heading to overtime for the first time this season. Connor Jones at 3:36 gives the Vipers their 17th straight road victory tying them with the 1989-90 New Westminster Royals for the BCHL record. Vernon outshot Trail 42-25. Blake Voth makes 23 saves for the win improving to 9-0 on the season. Garrett Beckwith makes 39 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712779&link=bchl

Tuesday, December 29th @ Trail: Vernon wins 4-1

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 3:04 - Sawyer Mick (unassisted)
Vernon Vipers at 15:36 - Connor Jones from Jonathan Milhouse and Cory Kane
Trail Smoke Eaters at 17:34 - Thomas Abenante from Wade Bennett

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 5:01 - Braden Pimm from Bryce Kakoske and Garrett Noonan
Vernon Vipers at 10:27 - Cory Kane from Connor Jones and Jonathan Milhouse

Vernon outshot Trail 40-26. Graeme Gordon made 25 saves for the win, while Garrett Beckwith made 36 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712835

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (6-3-9)
David Robinson (1-7-8)
Bryce Kakoske (2-5-7)
John Knisley (1-5-6)
Steven Weinstein (2-3-5)
Aaron Hadley (1-4-5)
Marcus Basara (1-4-5)
Kyle Murphy (2-3-5)
Trevor Fitzgerald (4-0-4)
Todd Skirving (1-2-3)
Brett Corkey (0-2-2)
Colton Sparrow (0-2-2)
Michael Zalewski (2-0-2)
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 (0-1-1)
Gus Correale (0-0-0)
Max Mowat (0-0-0)

Bryton Udy (0-1 Record, 1 Shutout, 4.53 GAA)
Blake Voth (4-3 Record, 2.30 GAA)

Trail:

Scott Jacklin (5-16-21)
Sam Mellor (11-9-20)
Travis St. Denis (10-10-20)
Cullen Bradshaw (5-4-9)
Rajan Sidhu (0-9-9)
Paul Mailey (2-4-6)
Matthew Laboucane (2-3-5)
Adam Boytinck (1-4-5)
Dylan Tappe (1-4-5)
Steve Koshey (0-5-5)
Graeme Strukoff (2-1-3)
Logan Proulx (1-1-2)
Beau Blanaru (1-0-1)
Curtis Tonello (1-0-1)
Joey Baker (0-1-1)
Ben Matthews (0-1-1)
Eric Walker (0-1-1)
Brett Slobodzian (0-1-1)
Clayton McEwan (0-1-1)
Steve Oursov (0-1-1)
Uriah Machuga (0-0-0)

Matt Larose (2-0 Record, 1.95 GAA)
Kiefer Smiley (5-3 Record, 2.53 GAA)