Cranbrook, BC: It’s a marquee weekend in the BCHL playoff race as the Vernon Vipers head to Cranbrook to take on the Bucks for the first of back-to-back games at Western Financial Place.
Both teams have their sights set on the postseason as the final month of the regular season gets underway.
Last Game – Vernon
For the second straight game, the Vipers erased a multi-goal deficit against an inter-division opponent, defeating the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 5-3 at Kal Tire Place in front of more than 2,800 fans — the largest crowd of the season.
Christian Maro led the way offensively with two goals and an assist, including the game-winner with just under three minutes remaining in regulation.
Oliver Czaja (2G, 1A), Dmitrii Kubantsev (3A), and Davids Livsics (2G) also recorded multi-point nights.
Lane Maarhuis was a difference-maker in goal, stopping 36 of 39 shots.
Discipline again played a key role for Vernon. The Vipers took just two penalties, killing both, while going 1-for-4 on the power play.
Last Game – Cranbrook
Cranbrook was involved in a defensive battle last Saturday against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Despite a combined 78 shots in the game, only three goals were scored as Trail came away with a 2-1 overtime victory.
Matthew Gilmore opened the scoring early in the third period with his seventh goal of the season before Erik Pastro tied the game late for Trail. Zach Coutu would then score the overtime winner for the Smoke Eaters.
Jason Tremblay was excellent in the Bucks crease, making 35 saves on 37 shots, including 19 in the third period and overtime.
Cranbrook went 0-for-1 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
By The Numbers
Vernon
Record: 13-25-7-0
Away Record: 7-12-2-0
Streak: W2
Last 10: 5-4-1-0
Power Play: 19.6% (17th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 76.1% (13th in BCHL)
Goals For: 149 (15th)
Goals Against: 185 (15th)
Goal Differential: -36 (16th)
Cranbrook
Record: 16-26-4-1
Home Record: 8-14-2-0
Streak: OTL1
Last 10: 4-5-1-0
Power Play: 21.3% (13th)
Penalty Kill: 73.2% (17th)
Goals For: 138 (18th)
Goals Against: 189 (16th)
Goal Differential: -51 (17th)
Scoring Leaders
Vernon
-
Dmitrii Kubantsev — 13G, 34A, 47 Pts
-
Deagan McMillan — 20G, 18A, 38 Pts
-
Christian Maro — 17G, 20A, 37 Pts
Cranbrook
-
Adam Csabi — 19G, 22A, 41 Pts
-
Grant Denuccio — 13G, 18A, 31 Pts
Goaltending
Vernon
-
Oliver Kanat — 5-12-5-0 | 3.57 GAA | .889 SV%
-
Lane Maarhuis — 3-2-0-0 | 3.81 GAA | .893 SV%
-
Jesse Sanche — 0-2-0-0 | 4.62 GAA | .860 SV%
Cranbrook
-
Jason Tremblay — 7-13-1-1 | 3.48 GAA | .878 SV% | 1 SO
-
Josh Scully — 7-5-0-0 | 3.26 GAA | .885 SV% | 1 SO
Head-to-Head
Tonight marks the sixth of seven meetings between the two teams this season. Vernon holds the edge in the season series with three wins in the first five games.
Interestingly, none of the matchups have been particularly close.
Sept. 20 – Cranbrook 6, Vernon 1 – Kal Tire Place
Sept. 27 – Vernon 6, Cranbrook 1 – Kal Tire Place
Dec. 6 – Vernon 6, Cranbrook 3 – Kal Tire Place
Dec. 12 – Vernon 6, Cranbrook 3 – Western Financial Place
Jan. 9 – Cranbrook 4, Vernon 1 – Kal Tire Place
The final meeting of the regular season between the teams comes tomorrow night.
What’s At Stake
Vernon
The Vipers have put themselves in a position where this weekend carries major importance. Vernon sits four points behind Cranbrook for the final playoff spot but has two games in hand.
A win tonight would also give the Vipers the season-series tiebreaker.
Cranbrook
The Bucks are equally motivated to maintain separation from Vernon in the standings while also keeping Salmon Arm within reach for third place in the division.
What’s Next
Vernon
Following the Cranbrook series, the Vipers remain on the road next weekend in Salmon Arm to begin a home-and-home set with the Silverbacks.
Cranbrook
After this weekend, the Bucks have just one home game remaining and will face a road-heavy March. That includes back-to-back weekends in Central Alberta starting next week in Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park.
Broadcast Information
🕖 Puck Drop: 7:00 PM MST (6:00 PM PST)
🕡 Pregame: 6:45 PM MST (5:45 PM PST)
📻 107.5 Beach Radio
🎧 Vernon Matters (audio stream)
📺 FloHockey
#TimeToStrike
