Game 34 Preview - Smokies @ Vipers

It's teddy bear toss night at Kal Tire Place.  The Trail Smoke Eaters are in town and the Vernon Vipers look to put another win streak together.  The Vipers are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Coquitlam Express on Sunday afternoon and after a nice week of practice and recuperation will be looking to pick up right where they left off.  For the Smokies, they've lost 8 in a row, but don't let that stat fool you.  In their last 4 games, all losses, they've lost by a goal in three of those four games and against talented teams like Langley, Merritt, Salmon Arm and Penticton.  Under Nick Deschenes this team has remained competitive despite losing and they will give the Vipers all they can handle.

Here's the matchup:

Season Series - October 15 - Vipers 6 Trail 3 - Kal Tire Place
                      - November 22 - Vipers 4 Trail 1 - Cominco Arena
                      - December 1 - Vipers 6 Trail 3 - Kal Tire Place

Vernon Vipers

Record - 18-8-3-4 - 2nd in the Interior Division

Home Record - 8-2-3-3            Away Record - 10-6-0-1

Leaders - Goals - Michael McNicholas (17)
              - Assists - Michael McNicholas (28)
              - Points - Michael McNicholas (45)

Goaltending - Austin Smith - 17 GP 8-3-3-2, 2.60 GAA, .914Sv%
                   - Danny Todosychuk - 15 GP 9-4-0-1, 2.95 GAA, .903Sv%

Special Teams - Powerplay - 16th in the league - 19 for 132 - 14.39%
                       - Penalty Kill - 4th in the league - 110 of 131 - 83.97%

Trail Smoke Eaters

Record - 7-24-2-1 - 6th in the Interior Division

Home Record - 4-14-2-0             Away Record - 3-10-0-1

Leaders - Goals - Travis Stephens (9)
             - Assists - Braden Pears (17)
             - Points - Travis Stephens (24)

Goaltending - Dustin Nikkel - 20 GP 4-14-2-0, 3.94 GAA, .891Sv%
                   - Adam Todd - 8 GP 1-5-0-1, 4.03 GAA, .887Sv%

Special Teams - Powerplay - 10th in the league - 24 for 133 - 18.05%
                       - Penalty Kill - 10th in the league - 114 of 141 - 80.85%

It's the fourth of seven meetings between these two teams and it should be a fun night.  If you can't make it down to Kal Tire Place for Teddy Bear Toss night you can catch all of the action on 107.5 KissFM or follow me on twitter @GrahamT_Vipers.  The pregame show begins at 6:45!