Vernon Vipers
GM & Head Coach: Jason McKee
2022-23: GP 38 – 17-17-0-4, 6th Interior Division
Home: 13-6-0-2
Away: 4-11-0-2
Goals For: 97
Goals Against: 124
Powerplay: 26 for 130 – 20.0% (9th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 136 of 157 – 86.6% (1st in BCHL)
Season Series:
Feb. 3 @ Trail, 7PM
Feb. 20 vs Trail, 2PM
Feb. 25 @ Trail, 7PM
March 17 vs Trail, 7PM
March 18 vs Trail, 6PM
Last Game: The Vipers finished the month of January with a 4-1 loss in Wenatchee to wrap up back to back games at the Town Toyota Center. Jonathan Horn, the former Wild, was the only one to ripple the twine. The Vipers were heavily outshot, 39-23. Roan Clarke turned in a stellar performance with 35 saves on 38 shots in his second consecutive start. The Vipers surrendered their 4th shorthanded goal against.
Tonight’s Game: This is game three of four straight away from home. It’s the first of five head to head meetings this season and the first of three this month. Last year the Vipers were 5-0-1 against the Smoke Eaters. It’s been an up and down stretch for Vernon, who are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Leading after 40 minutes has been a paramount stat for the Vipers as they are 11-0-1 when leading after 2 periods, but they have managed results six times when they’ve trailed heading into the 3rd period, four of those results were win.
Trail Smoke Eaters
GM & Head Coach: Tim Fragle
2022-23: GP 37 – 15-17-2-3, 8th Interior Conference
Home: 10-7-1-1
Away: 5-10-1-2
Goals For: 114
Goals Against: 146
Powerplay: 24 for 115 – 20.9% (7th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 119 of 136 – 80.1% (7th in BCHL)
Last Game: The Smoke Eaters wrapped up 3 consecutive games with the PG Spruce Kings over the weekend. They finished that set with a 1-1-1 record. In the most recent game on Sunday afternoon, the Smokies fell 4-2. Connor Seeley and Ethan Mann had goals while rookie netminder Teagan Kendrick made 31 saves on 35 shots.
Today’s Game: This game kicks off three straight at home. Brady Hunter leads Trail in scoring with 10 goals and 23 assists. Former Viper Nick Remissong leads the Smokies in goals with 14. 18 year old rookie goaltender Teagan Kendrick has played in 23 of the 37 games Trail has played this season. He has 9 wins, a GAA of 3.35 and Save Percentage of .907.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on 107.5 Beach Radio and HockeyTV, starting with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.
