Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers will put a 4 game win streak on the line when they host the Interior Division leading Penticton Vees tonight at Kal Tire Place.
The Vipers (18-12-1-1) come into the night having won 4 straight including all 3 in a 3 and 3 weekend last week. The Vipers had an 8-3 win over Merritt Friday, a 6-4 win over Wenatchee on Saturday, then a narrow 8-7 shootout win over Merritt on Sunday afternoon. Matt Kowalski was named BCHL Player of the Week scoring 6 goals and tallying 3 assists. Kowalski wasn’t the only Viper to make waves as JoJo Tanaka-Campbell, Dawson Holt and Connor Marritt were all named honorable mentions. Dawson Holt has points in 5 straight games (6 goals 4 assists). JoJo Tanaka-Campbell as come to life recently with points…in his last 3 games has 1 goal and 6 assists. The Vipers have at least a point in 7 of their last 10 games and now currently sit in 4th place in the division with games in hand on the teams ahead and behind them.
The Vees (25-9-1-0) come in on a two game win streak taking care of the West Kelowna Warriors in a home and home set last weekend. The Vees are 6-4 in their last 10 games. Leading the way offensively for Penticton is Jay O’Brien. He has 15 goals and 32 assists. Jackson Niedermayer has been hot for the Vees of late with a five game point streak (5 goals and 1 assist). Yaniv Perets has played the bulk of the Vees games this season with a record of 15-6 and 4 shutouts to lead the league.
This is the 3rd of 7 meetings this season. The first two have seen goals at a premium. The Vees won 1-0 in a showcase matchup, before the Vipers won the second in overtime 2-1.
This game is the first of a home and home set. These teams will do it again tomorrow night at the SOEC.
You can catch all the action on 107.5 Beach Radio, Vernon Matters and HockeyTV.
