Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers hit the road for the annual BCHL Showcase at the Abbotsford Centre, beginning tonight with a matchup against the unbeaten Coquitlam Express.
Although this one takes place at a neutral site, it officially counts as a home game for the Vipers — their first of seven straight away from Kal Tire Place.
Vernon comes in looking to snap a three-game skid and get back in the win column, holding a 1-4-2-0 record through the first seven games. Four of those have been decided by just one goal, including a 4–3 overtime loss to Sherwood Park last Saturday.
This will be the only meeting of the season between the Vipers and Express. Last year, Vernon rolled to a 7–1 win in Coquitlam at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre.
Coquitlam (5-0-0-0) enters tonight as the BCHL’s lone unbeaten team, riding a five-game winning streak. In their most recent outing, they edged the Surrey Eagles 4–3.
Nineteen-year-old Calgary native Nolan Dupont leads the Express offensively with 4 goals and 5 assists, ranking 15th in BCHL scoring. Between the pipes, Ryan Parker has started all five games, posting a 2.01 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.
Special teams will be a key factor. The Vipers’ power play looks to find its stride, currently at 3.2%, while the penalty kill has been a bright spot — operating at 86% (25-for-29), good for fourth best in the BCHL. Coquitlam has made the most of limited power play chances, scoring 5 times on 12 opportunities, and have killed 17 of 20 penalties.
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM from the Abbotsford Centre
Broadcast: 107.5 Beach Radio (pregame at 6:45), stream on VernonMatters.ca, or watch live on FloHockey
#TimeToStrike
