The Penticton Vees (29-7-0-1) continue their four-game home stand tonight when they host their rivals, the Vernon Vipers (20-13-2-3) at the SOEC; puck drop is 6 pm. Tonight is a showdown of the top two teams in the Interior Division, as the Vees have a 14-point lead on the second place Vipers.
Tonight also marks the fifth of seven meetings between the two, with the Vees winning three of the first four in the season series. These two rivals last met on month ago, back on December 7th, with the Vees picking up a 3-1 victory at the SOEC. Tonight kicks-off three games between these two Interior foes this month, as they wrap-up the season series with a home-and-home set on January 25th and 27th.
Penticton is coming off just their seventh regulation loss of the year, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Trail Smoke Eaters at home on Wednesday. Trail stunned the Vees, rallying for three third period goals en route to the come from behind win. The Vees have done a good job of not falling into slumps this season, as they’re 6-0-0-1 coming off a loss and have only lost back-to-back games once.
Vernon has won three straight and are coming off a sweep of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks last week, beating them 4-2 at home on December 29th and 1-0 on the road the next night. The Vipers are undefeated in their last seven games, winning five and tying two, and their last loss was at the hands of the Vees back on December 7th. If you go back further, the Vipers have just three regulation losses since November 12th and two of those three have come against Penticton.
Penticton welcomes back defenceman James Miller to the line-up, as he has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since December 3rd; he was hurt in that win over Powell River. Gabe Bast is still rehabbing from his lower-body injury and fellow defenceman Kenny Johnson is serving the third game of a four-game; he’s eligible to return on January 13th versus Merritt.
The new look line of Duncan Campbell, Ryley Risling and Taylor Sanheim had a solid debut despite the loss Wednesday. The three 20-year-olds combined for five points (1-4-5) in that Loss to Trail, with Campbell (0-2-2) and Risling (1-1-2) each picking up a pair of points. Pretty good debut for Sanheim who hadn’t played since November 26th with the Calgary Hitmen.
Despite the hiccup on Wednesday, the Vees have still been playing some stingy hockey. They’be surrendered three or less goals in seven of their last eight games, dating back to December 2nd. They’ve allowed the fewest goals in the BCHL this season (81) and are just one of two teams to surrender less than 100 to date. Vernon has tightened things up of late too, as they’ve surrendered three or less goals in six straight and have two shutouts in their last 11 games.
Mat Robson is expected to start in goal and he’s 24-7 on the season, owning a 1.95 goals-against average and sports a .925 save percentage. Against Vernon, Robson has three wins to go along with a very impressive 1.75 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.
Vernon is a bit short-handed, as they lost three players in the last week. Christian Cakebread left to join Niagara University Purple Eagles in NCAA Division l hockey for the second semester. They’re also without fellow forwards Riley Brandt and Luke Gingras for an extended period of time with hand injuries. Brandt is expected to miss the next six weeks with a broken thumb, and Gingras is out with a broken finger.
With just nine regular forwards on their roster, the Vipers have two AP’s in the line-up in Brody Dale and Brett Witala; both play for the Kelowna Chiefs in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
Darion Hansen will get the start in net for the Vipers and is off to a great start, posting a 7-1 record in nine games, whilst owning a 1.92 goals-against average and an equally as impressive .943 save percentage. He did however lose his only start against the Vees back on December 7th, allowing three goals on 23 shots.
Season Series
Oct 28th Vees 4 @ Vipers 2
Nov 11th Vipers 3 @ Vees 2
Nov 12th Vees 3 @ Vipers 1
Dec 7th Vipers 1 Vees 3
Jan 7th Vipers @ Vees
Jan 25th Vipers @ Vees
Jan 27th Vees @ Vipers
Head to Head
Vees vs. Vipers
Taylor Ward 3-3-6
Grant Cruikshank 4-0-4
Chris Klack 1-2-3
Duncan Campbell 0-3-3
Nicholas Jones 0-3-3
Vipers vs. Vees
Jagger Williamson 0-4-4
Niko Karamanis 2-0-2
Jimmy Lamber 1-1-2
Brett Stapley 1-1-2
Connor Clouston 0-2-2
Broadcast Information
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. Tonight’s game is the BCHL Game of the Week and is FREE to watch at www.HockeyTV.com
