Friday, January 21, 2011

GAME PREVIEW: Kings vs. Vipers

                                        
  Interior: 26-9-4-8 (1st)      Coast: 35-6-3-2 (1st)


Last 10: Vipers- 6-1-1-2 Kings- 9-1-0-0

Season Series: The  two teams meet for the second time this season and first in Vernon since Game 7 of the 2010 Fred Page Cup. The Kings won the first encounter back on November 17th, 5-2.

Big Story: Everyone is well aware of the rivalry between these two teams. Back-to-back appearances in the Fred Page Cup. The Kings will be in the Wesbild Centre for the first time since April 12th. That was a
3-1 game 7 loss to Vernon, who won on a controversial Sahir Gill goal with five minutes left in the third period to break a 1-1 deadlock. The Kings will be looking to exact some demons tonight.

Team Scope

Kings: Powell River is riding a six game winning streak coming into tonight's game. The Kings haven't lost since January 2nd to Langley, which was only their third regulation road lost as well. So far Powell River is off to a perfect start on their four game road trip, downing Westside 3-2 and most recently Trail 5-3. Matt Garbowsky has been the biggest story, scoring three goals in the past two games and giving him 33 on the season.

If their is one negative of late it's the Kings penalty-kill. On Wednesday Trail burned Powell River for three power-play goals against. That is the first time since September 19th that has happened to the Kings. Surrey scored three power-play goals in a 6-5 road win. In fact, the Kings have allowed power-play goals against in their last three games and in four of their last five. Even though Vernon sits 12th on the man advantage, the Kings will need to be better in that department tonight.

Vipers: Vernon is only coming in with a four game winning streak. Since dropping a 4-3 overtime decision to Westside on January 7th, the Vipers have out scored their opponents 20-7 including twice scoring six goals. Furthermore the Vipers are averaging five goals per game in their last four contests. 

Helping the Vipers is their power-play which have scored in six straight games and is clicking at 27 percent in their last five games. Vernon is also scoring by committee on the power-play as six different players have scored their last seven power-play goals. Dylan Nowick score two against Westside on January 8th.

One story getting lots of play is the goaltending situation in Vernon. The Vipers brought in Kirby Halcrow from Quesnel before the deadline to insulate their position in the crease. It's seems Mark Ferner has been rotating his two netminders in the past five games with Blake Voth winning two of the three starts he had. Most recently he shutout the Centennials 6-0 on Tuesday, Making 19 saves. It will be interesting who emerges as the number one come spring.

Who's Hot: Matt Garbowsky comes in scoring in two straight games and has points in his last five.The Vipers David Robinson has five goals and six points in his last three games. Steven Weinstein has points in his last three games, all of which are assists and two goals and three assists in his last five.

Injury Report: Brenden Forbes (upper body) remains out for the Kings. Chad Niddery will be a game time decision.

Stat Pack: In Tuesday's win over Trail the Kings nine game power-play goal streak came to an end. The Kings have scored the opening goal in five straight games. Also Tuesday was only the sixth time this season the Kings have been out shot.

Puck Drop: Mike Garteig will start for the third straight game. Justin Bardarson will be my first intermission guest.






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