Friday, November 19, 2010

GAME PREVIEW: KINGS at EAGLES

Powell River (19-4-1-2)        Surrey (15-9-0-1)

Season Series:  This is the second of six meetings between these two Coastal Conference teams. Surrey took the opener, 6-5 back on September 19th. Both teams were playing their third game in two and a half days and it showed in the Kings play. The two teams will meet again on December 10th once more in Surrey.

Big Story: The Eagles have lost Richard Vanderhoek to the WHL. The Vancouver Giants announced the signing of the power forward earlier this week. Vanderhoek was second in team scoring, compiling 16 goals 27 assists for 43 points. click here for the Giants press release.

That means it's up to Bradly McGowan and Jeff Vanderlugt to shoulder the offensive load upfront and look for a new line-mate as well. This will also mean 20 year-old, Dan Gentzler will be counted on for more production.

The big guns for Powell River are red hot as well. Matt Garbowsky has 8 points in his last 5 games (6-2-8) and Chad Niddery has 6 points (0-6-6) in his last 5 as well. That pair was reunited with winger Dan Schuler who made his return from injury on Wednesday and scored on the power-play. Also don't forget the production the Kings are getting from the trio of Carter Shinkaruk, Cohen Adair and Andrew Pettitt. Adair and Pettitt drew helpers on Shinkaruk's 4th of the season in Wednesday's game.

Team Scope:

Kings-- As mentioned above, the Kings are getting scoring from all area's of their line-up. On Wednesday it was the second unit and before that we saw Steven Schimdt, Brenden Forbes and Scott Renner get hot too. This will be the key to Powell River's success as the season wears on-scoring from all lines. Having Schuler back is a big boost for the top unit but more importantly scoring from 1 through 12 is the biggest key.

The power-play did score on Wednesday and here's to hoping they score with regularity. This team with their skill and speed will draw plenty of penalties throughout the season, the key is if they can cash in on those opportunities.

Eagles-- Surrey will be doing some line shuffling after losing 1/3 of the "Dutch Blitz." This team plays an up tempo offensive game that opens up plenty of scoring chance-both ways. Granted the Eagles have scored the second most goals in the division (106) however they also have surrendered 92.  That style of play is certainly exciting for the fans to watch but can expose you on your own side of centre. Take the fact both Eagles goaltenders have a goals against above 3 and you can start to piece it together. Vinny Lessard who was thought to be the starter in his final season was traded back east. The Eagles have brought in Karel St. Laurent who has proven he can start in the league (GP 4 3-1-0-0). If the Eagles commit to team defense they can be a very dangerous team come the spring.

Who's Hot: As I mentioned before, Garbowsky and Niddery have been a dangerous pairing. The two seem to know where the other is on the ice and create scoring chances for each other on every shift. Shinkaruk is starting to heat up as well. The 19 year-old has collected 4 points (2-2) in his last 5 games. He has one of the best sets of hands on the Kings and at times shows brilliance when handling the puck....Jeff Vanderlugt is riding a 4 game asssist streak and Tyler Morely is caring a three game streak in that department for Surrey. If your the opposition you always have to keep in mind where # 17 (McGown) is on the ice. McGowan is a pure play maker who can change the game with one play.

Injury Report-- With Schuler back, Teagan Waugh is the only King on the sidelines. Waugh is making progress with his injury and could make a return this weekend.

Stat Pack-- The Kings are road warriors. They sport a 7-2-1-1 record away from the Hap Parker Arena and have only dropped one road game against an Coastal Conference opponent. Surrey has a distinct advantage playing on an olympic ice sheet but it hasn't been too kind to them this season. The Eagles sport a 6-4-0-1 record at the nest.

Puck Drop: Those wearing a moustache can get in free tonight at the Eagles-Kings game. Surrey is inviting fans wearing a moustache for Movember to come to the game-free of charge....pre-game show at 6:45pm on SUN FM

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