Saturday 18 January 2014

Game 44 Preview - Bulldogs @ Vipers

A little home cooking to be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Vernon Vipers tonight.  Last night in West Kelowna, the effort was there, but the hockey gods weren't smiling on the Snakes and they would fall 5-3.  Some positives to carry into tonight, the powerplay goal, the work of the PK and the energy level.  2014 hasn't been kind to Vernon so far, but they'll look to right the ship against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.  The bulldogs are in a "dog fight" with the Cowichan Capitals for the final playoff spot in the Island Division.  Expect them to come out and play spirited hockey.  They have good goaltending, a good powerplay and the desperation to make the playoffs.  Their road record isn't great, but they come in having won two in a row over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Here's the matchup:

Season Series - October 20 - Vipers 7 Alberni 4 - Weyerhauser Arena

Vernon Vipers

Record - 22-14-3-4 - 3rd in the Interior Division

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

Leaders - Goals - Brett Mulcahy (25)
             - Assists - Michael McNicholas (35)
             - Points - Michael McNicholas (54)

Goaltending - Austin Smith - 24 GP, 11-7-3-2, 2.68 GAA, .914Sv%
                   - Danny Todosychuk - 19 GP, 10-6-0-1, 3.07 GAA, .901Sv%

Special Teams - Powerplay - 16th in the league - 26 for 166 - 15.66%
                       - Penalty Kill - 9th in the league - 149 of 183 - 81.42%

Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Record - 13-22-3-5 - 5th in the Island Division

Home Record - 8-10-0-2            Away Record - 5-12-2-3

Leaders - Goals - Tryg Strand (14)
             - Assists - Hunter Stewart (27)
             - Points - Hunter Stewart (36)

Goaltending - Connor LaCouvee - 25 GP, 16-8-0-3, 2.89 GAA, .912Sv%

Special Teams - Powerplay - 8th in the league - 32 for 174 - 18.39%
                       - Penalty Kill - 15th in the league - 124 of 161 - 77.02%

These two teams may be from different divisions, but the two points up for grabs are important to both sides.  All the action starts at 6:45 on 107.5 KissFM.

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