Spruce Grove, AB: The Vernon Vipers turn the page on a challenging January and set their sights firmly on February as they begin a crucial three-game road trip tonight in Spruce Grove. With the playoff race tightening in the Interior West Division, the focus now shifts to finding consistency and momentum away from home, starting against the Saints at Thompson Family Arena.
Last Game – Vernon
The Vipers were competitive once again last Friday at Kal Tire Place but came up just short in a 4-3 loss to the Okotoks Oilers. Vernon erased a 2-0 deficit early and later battled back from a 3-2 hole, but couldn’t find the equalizer late.
Cole Bieksa, Toms Trockis and Christian Maro provided the offense. Jesse Sanche stopped 17 of 19 shots before leaving the game with an injury, while Oliver Kanat turned aside 7 of 9 shots in relief during the third period. Vernon’s penalty kill was solid, going a perfect 3-for-3, while the powerplay finished 0-for-3 on the night.
Last Game – Spruce Grove
The Saints come in following a weekend split in Cranbrook, capped off by an emphatic 8-2 victory over the Bucks. Newly returned forward Josh Polak led the way with a four-point night, scoring three times and adding an assist.
Spencer Rheaume chipped in with a goal and two helpers, James Richards recorded three assists, and Joseph Quintilio was sharp between the pipes, stopping 35 of 37 shots. Special teams played a major role for Spruce Grove, as the Saints went 3-for-4 on the powerplay and killed off all five Cranbrook advantages.
By the Numbers
Vernon Vipers
Record: 8-22-6-0
Road Record: 4-11-1-0
Last 10: 1-8-1-0
Streak: 0-7-1-0
Powerplay: 17.7% (19th BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 77.0% (10th BCHL)
Goals For: 114 (17th)
Goals Against: 150 (15th)
Goal Differential: -36 (17th)
Spruce Grove Saints
Record: 19-17-1-0
Home Record: 10-6-1-0
Last 10: 7-3-0-0
Streak: 1-0-0-0
Powerplay: 18.6% (16th BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 75.3% (14th BCHL)
Goals For: 120 (14th)
Goals Against: 128 (11th)
Goal Differential: -8 (13th)
Scoring Leaders
Vernon
• Dmitrii Kubantsev – 11G, 24A, 35 PTS
• Christian Maro – 12G, 18A, 30 PTS
Spruce Grove
• Tre Peck – 12G, 17A, 29 PTS
• James Richards – 2G, 27A, 29 PTS
Goaltending Matchup
Vernon
• Oliver Kanat – 20 GP, 3.49 GAA, .888 SV%
Spruce Grove
• Ryan De Kok – 23 GP, 3.26 GAA, .891 SV%
• Joseph Quintilio – 15 GP, 3.21 GAA, .881 SV%
Head to Head
Tonight marks the third of four meetings between the Vipers and Saints this season. Spruce Grove has held the upper hand so far, with Vernon posting an 0-1-1-0 record in the series.
The Saints claimed a 3-2 win at Kal Tire Place on November 7, then edged the Vipers 5-4 in overtime one week later at Thompson Family Arena. The season series will wrap up Friday, February 13 in Vernon.
Upcoming
Vernon
The Vipers continue their three-game road swing Friday night in Sherwood Park before wrapping up the trip Saturday in Blackfalds.
Spruce Grove
The Saints begin a stretch of four straight road games Friday in Blackfalds, followed by Saturday in Okotoks, before heading south to face Vernon and Trail in the Okanagan.
Broadcast Information
Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM MT, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 PM.
Fans can follow the action live on:
• 107.5 Beach Radio
• Vernon Matters (audio stream)
• FloHockey (video)
#TimeToStrike
