Season Series
Oct 28th Penticton 4 at Vernon 2
Nov 11th Vernon 3 at Penticton 2
Nov 12th Penticton 3 at Vernon 1
Dec 7th Vernon 1 at Penticton 3
Jan 7th Vernon 4 at Penticton 2
Jan 25th Vernon at Penticton
Jan 27th Penticton at Vernon
Vees’ Scoring vs. Vernon
Taylor Ward 3-3-6
Grant Cruikshank 4-0-4
Nicholas Jones 0-4-4
Chris Klack 1-2-3
Duncan Campbell 0-3-3
Vipers’ Scoring vs Penticton
Jagger Williamson 0-5-5
Niko Karamanis 4-0-4
Jesse Lansdell 1-2-3
Jimmy Lambert 1-2-3
Brett Stapley 1-1-2
The Penticton Vees (32-10-0-1) start a busy stretch of three games in four nights, when they host the Vernon Vipers (23-15-3-4) at the SOEC, on another BCAA Wicked Wednesday. It’s the sixth of seven meetings between the two teams, and the second of three this month; they meet again Friday in Vernon.
Vernon did beat the Vees 4-2 back on Saturday, January 7th, at the SOEC, Their second win in Penticton this season. The Vipers got out to a 3-0 lead but the Vees did make it a 3-2 game, before the Vipers ice it with an empty-net goal late. Since then the Vees and Vipers had their ups and downs.
Penticton has won three of their last five since last facing Vernon but are coming off a 5-2 loss in Salmon Arm on Sunday. Vernon have won just two their last six games, posting a 2-2-1-1 record over that stretch. The Vipers are coming off a loss as well, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Powell River Kings on Saturday.
Penticton is short bodies, in particular on the blue-line, as they have only four regulars available. Gabe Bast & James Miller are still injured and Griffin Mendel will miss tonight’s game, as he is at the CJHL Prospects Game in Cornwall, Ontario. Forward Turner Ripplinger may see a few shifts on the blue-line tonight. Also missing tonight is 20-year-old Ryley Risling who is serving the second game of his four-game suspension, stemming from the Vees’ 4-2 win over West Kelowna Saturday.
The Vees’ will have Connor Bouchard in the line-up, to help fill Risling’s absence. Bouchard, 15, plays next door for the Okanagan Hockey Academy with their Prep White team. Also Konsta Jaske from the Summerland Steam will be on the blue-line, playing in his second straight game with the Vees; He’s played in nine games this year picking up one assist.
20-year-old Mat Robson will get the start in goal and is 3-2 against the Vipers in five games, owning a 2.22 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.
President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson knows Vernon will be a stiff test at home, “We want to every game, regardless of the opponent. We take a lot of pride in our home record and they’ve come in here and grabbed some points against us. It’s going to be a real good challenge for us.”
The Vipers won just one of their three games last week, losing at home to both Merritt and Powell River but did salvage a win in West Kelowna on Friday. The Vipers sit in second in the Interior Division, 12 points back of Penticton, and have played two more games than the Vees.
Vernon will start 19-year-old Darion Hansen tonight, as 17-year-old Ty Taylor is also at the CJHL Prospects game with Mendel on Team West. Hansen lost his only start against the Vees back on December 7th, surrendering three goals on 23 shots, in the Vees’ 3-2 win.
The Vees, who sport the second-most home wins in the BCHL, will be looking to make the most of tonight’s game at the SOEC. After tonight, it’s five straight road games, including next week’s road trip to Merritt, Nanaimo and Victoria. The Vees are 18-4-0-1 at home this season and the Vipers are 12-10-2-2 on the road; they’re undefeated in their last seven road games (5-0-2-0).
Taylor Ward leads the Vees in scoring against the Vipers, registering three goals and six points in five games. Grant Cruikshank has four goals in five games and Nicholas Jones has four assists. Jagger Williamson has five assists in as many games against the Vees and Niko Karamanis has four goals.
The Vees are 1-2 at home against the Vipers but are 17-7-0-1 against the Interior Division. After tonight the season series wraps up in Vernon on Friday at Kal-Tire place.
It’s also Bell Let’s Talk day nation-wide. For every text, call, tweet and Instagram post, Facebook video view and use of Snapchat geofilter, Bell will contribute 5 cents to mental health initiatives. For more information, visit www.letstalk.bell.ca
Fans can listen to tonight’s game on EZ Rock AM 800 locally, or on the iHeartRadio Canada app for their iPhone, iPad, smartphone or tablet. If you’re streaming through your web browser, go to the EZ Rock AM 800 website. The game is also available via the BCHL webcast at www.HockeyTV.com
