Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers delivered one of their most consistent efforts of the season last Saturday in Trail but came up short on the scoreboard. Tonight, they’ll look to duplicate that performance — and find the finish — against the top team in the BCHL, the West Kelowna Warriors.
With the playoff race tightening, the margin for error continues to shrink.
Last Game – Vernon
Despite heavily outshooting and outplaying the Trail Smoke Eaters, the Vipers fell 4-2 at Cominco Arena.
Vernon outshot Trail 35-22, but Smokies goaltender Cooper Michaluk proved to be the difference.
Toms Trockis and Connor Dick scored to erase a two-goal deficit, but a third-period marker and an empty net goal sealed it for Trail.
Special teams were strong:
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Powerplay: 1-for-2
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Penalties Taken: 0
Lane Maarhuis made 19 saves on 22 shots.
Last Game – West Kelowna
The Warriors continue to roll.
West Kelowna won its fifth straight game last Saturday, defeating the Sherwood Park Crusaders 6-2.
Alexandre Lallier led the offense with two goals and an assist. Ruslan Jamaldinov, Natan Ethier, Noah Garthe and Caden Kemkaran-Humble all recorded multi-point performances.
Angelo Zol made 20 saves on 22 shots.
Special teams:
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Powerplay: 2-for-5
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Penalty Kill: 1-for-1
By The Numbers
Vernon
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Record: 11-25-7-0
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Away Record: 6-12-2-0
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Last 10: 3-6-1-0
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Streak: L2
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Powerplay: 19.6% (17th BCHL)
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Penalty Kill: 75.7% (13th BCHL)
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Goals For: 138 (15th BCHL)
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Goals Against: 178 (15th BCHL)
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Goal Differential: -40 (16th BCHL)
West Kelowna
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Record: 33-8-2-0
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Home Record: 20-2-1-0
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Last 10: 8-2-0-0
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Streak: W5
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Powerplay: 26.8% (4th BCHL)
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Penalty Kill: 81.5% (3rd BCHL)
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Goals For: 163 (9th BCHL)
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Goals Against: 96 (1st BCHL)
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Goal Differential: +67 (3rd BCHL)
Scoring Leaders
Vernon
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Dmitrii Kubantsev — 13G, 31A, 44 PTS
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Deagan McMillan — 18G, 16A, 34 PTS
West Kelowna
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Ruslan Jamaldinov — 20G, 27A, 47 PTS
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Dylan Krayer — 19G, 28A, 47 PTS
Goaltending
Vernon
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Oliver Kanat — 5-12-5-0, 3.57 GAA, .889 SV%
West Kelowna
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Angelo Zol — 22-6-1-0, 1.95 GAA, .924 SV%, 5 SHUTOUTS
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Bor Glavic — 11-2-1-0, 2.37 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SHUTOUT
Head-to-Head
Tonight marks the final regular season meeting between the two teams.
The Warriors hold a 5-1 season series lead, but the games have been tighter than that record suggests — three of the six were decided by two goals or fewer.
What’s At Stake
Vernon
Everything.
The Vipers sit seven points behind Cranbrook for the final Interior West playoff spot but hold three games in hand. Time is becoming the biggest opponent.
West Kelowna
The Warriors have clinched their division, but there’s still plenty to play for.
They trail Cowichan by three points for top spot in the BCHL but have three games in hand — crucial for securing home ice advantage throughout the Fred Page Cup Playoffs.
Upcoming
Vernon
The Vipers return home Saturday to face the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
West Kelowna
The Warriors remain at home Saturday night to welcome the Okotoks Oilers.
Broadcast Information
🕖 Puck Drop: 7:00 PM
🕡 Pregame: 6:45 PM
📻 107.5 Beach Radio
🎧 Vernon Matters (audio stream)
📺 FloHockey
#TimeToStrike
