GAME PREVIEW: VIPERS at KINGS

VIPERS (12-7-1-5) at KINGS (18-4-1-2)

Radio: 95-7 SUN FM Pre-Game Show 7:15pm

Last 10--Vipers 5-2-0-3; Kings 8-1-0-1

Season Series: This is the first of only two meetings between the teams this season. The last time these two clubs met, the Vipers won game 7 of the Fred Page Cup 3-1. The teams conclude their series when Powell River pays a visit to Vernon on January 21st.

Big Story: This will be a matchup of two teams looking to rebound from tough losses. The Kings lost 5-4 in double overtime in Cowichan Valley on Saturday; Vernon was edged 4-3 by Salmon Arm on the same night. Do I have to mention this is a rematch of the last two BCHL Finals?

Team Scope

Vipers: Mark Ferner's club is in an unfamiliar position as they have dropped two straight games and are looking up at three teams in the Interior Conference standings. However, the Vipers have only 5 returning players from last year's squad and are still trying to find their rhythm.

The 4-3 loss Saturday was especially tough for Vernon as they let a 3-1  third period lead slip away.  With the score tied 1-1 after two peiods, Vernon scored two early goals in the third period to take a 3-1 lead.   Salmon Arm stormed back with three unanswered goals in a span of 2:01 to claim the victory.

The Vipers will have to find their road legs this week as tonight is the first of 4 games in 5 days. Vernon  has Thursday off before moving on to the mainland for three in a row starting Friday in Coquitlam.

Kings: The Kings had to settle for just one point on Saturday in Duncan, but they can take pride in the fact  that they rallied from two goal third period deficit to force the extra period.

The Kings lead 2-0 early on in the first period after a pair of goals from Cohen Adair. However Cowichan scored four conesecutive goals including a natural hat-trick from Tyler Matheson. Powell River knows that type of hockey won't be acceptable tonight.

Powell River owns the best home record in the Coast (11-2-0-1) and second best in the BCHL. The Kings also defeated the Vipers 3-2 in overtime last year in the Vipers only visit to the Hap Parker Arena.

Who's Hot: Matt Garbowsky has 5 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 games and Chad Niddery has 5 assists. Garbowsky and Niddery combined for 4 points in Saturdays 5-4 loss. Cohen Adair is also wielding a hot stick. He has 3 goals and 2 assists in the past 4 contests....Vernon's Michael Zalewski has scored in three straight games and John Knisley is riding a 5 game assist streak.

Injury Report: Teagan Waugh (Upper Body) and Dan Schuler (Upper Body) remain out for the Kings. Vernon on paper is healthy.

Stat Pack: It could be a power struggle at the rink tonight. The Kings own the league's best penatly Kill and will going up against a Vernon Power-Play that ranks 14th. It looks like a miss-match on paper, but keep in mind this will be Powell River's first look at the Vipers specials teams.

Puck Drop: Despite the wealth of offensive talent the Kings display, their power-play only ranks 12th. They will need captialize on a Vernon PK unit that ranks 8th in the league The Kings power-play has been their achilles heel of late going 3/21 in it's 4 games.

A game like this should draw a large crowd.  Even though it's a Wednesday night, the back to back National Champs from Vernon should be a marquee event for hockey fans.