Game 42 Preview - Vipers @ Centennials

Lately the Vernon Vipers have been playing .500 hockey.  They are 5 and 5 in their last ten games and seem to be battling consistency.  Last time out, the Vipers managed to overcome quite a bit of adversity to win 3-1 and tonight is a chance to put two wins together for the first time in 2014, but it won't be easy.  The Vipers travel to Merritt to face the Centennials in a building that is tough for any opponent.  The Vipers road record is two games above .500, but the Cents have only lost 5 times in regulation all year long at home.  The Cents have also had their issues in 2014 with only 1 win and will be looking to track down the Salmon Arm Silverbacks for the final playoff spot.

Here's the matchup:

Season Series - September 21 - Merritt 3 Vipers 2 - OT - Kal Tire Place
                      - October 26 - Merritt 1 Vipers 0 - Kal Tire Place
                      - November 15 - Vipers 4 Merritt 3 - OT - NVMA
                      - November 29 - Vipers 4 Merritt 0 - Kal Tire Place

Vernon Vipers

Record - 22-12-3-4 - 2nd in the Interior Division

Home Record - 12-4-3-3            Away Record - 10-8-0-1

Leaders - Goals - Brett Mulcahy (25)
             - Assists - Michael McNicholas (34)
             - Points - Michael McNicholas (53)

Goaltending - Austin Smith - 23 GP, 11-6-3-2, 2.66 GAA, .916Sv%
                   - Danny Todosychuk - 18 GP, 10-5-0-1, 2.95 GAA, .903Sv%

Special Teams - Powerplay - 16th in the league - 25 for 160 - 15.63%
                       - Penalty Kill - 6th in the league - 143 of 174 - 82.18%

Merritt Centennials 

Record - 20-17-3-1 - 5th in the Interior Division

Home Record - 10-5-3-1              Away Record - 10-12-0-0

Leaders - Goals - Scott Patterson (20)
              - Assists - Sebastien Pare/Diego Cuglietta (23)
              - Points - Scott Patterson (36)

Goaltending - Devin Kero - 30 GP, 13-13-3-1, 2.46 GAA, .919Sv%

Special Teams - Powerplay - 7th in the league - 32 for 168 - 19.05%
                       - Penalty Kill - 5th in the league - 151 of 183 - 82.51%

Last time these two teams played in this building it was one of the better games of the season for both teams but it was the Vipers coming out with a 4-3 OT win.  Both teams need these points and we'll see which team can get it done.  All the action starts at 6:45 on 107.5 KissFM!