Vipers Game Day – Vipers Host Smokies on St. Paddy’s Day

Vernon Vipers

GM & Head Coach: Jason McKee

2022-23: GP 50 – 24-20-2-4, 6th Interior Division

Home: 16-6-1-2

Away: 8-14-1-2

Goals For: 137

Goals Against: 156

Powerplay: 36 for 162 – 22.2% (5^th in BCHL)

Penalty Kill: 171 of 200 – 85.5% (1st in BCHL)

Season Series:

Feb. 3 @ Trail, 4-1 W

Feb. 20 vs Trail, 3-2 OTL

Feb. 25 @ Trail, 3-1 W

March 17 vs Trail, 7PM

March 18 vs Trail, 6PM

Last Game: The Vipers wrapped up a pair of wins last weekend with a come from behind 2-1 win over the Prince George Spruce Kings.  Luke Pakulak and Seiya Tanaka-Campbell had goals while Roan Clarke made 22 saves on 23 shots.  The Vipers powerplay was 2 for 4, while the PK killed off all three PG man advantages.  The win vaulted the Vipers into 6^th place in the Interior Conference.

Tonight’s Game:  The Vipers look to win their fourth straight game tonight and third of their four game homestand.  The Vipers are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.  Their powerplay has caught fire, going 5 for 9 in their last 3 games.  Contrarily their PK has also been rock solid killing off 9 of their last 9.  Hank Cleaves and Lee Parks both have 5 points in three games against Trail.

Trail Smoke Eaters

GM & Head Coach: Tim Fragle

2022-23: GP 50 – 19-25-3-3, 8th Interior Conference

Home: 13-12-1-1

Away: 6-13-2-2

Goals For: 153

Goals Against: 199

Powerplay: 33 for 154 – 21.4% (7th in BCHL)

Penalty Kill: 135 of 174 – 79.3% (11th in BCHL)

Last Game: The Smoke Eaters won back to back games last weekend.  On Saturday night they doubled up on the Surrey Eagles by a 6-3 score.  Ethan Mann had two goals and two assists and Adam Marshall pitched in with a four assist game.  Mathieu Cobetto-Roy had a multi goal game as well.  Teagan Kendrick made 37 saves on 40 shots for the victory.

Tonight’s Game: The Smoke Eaters will finish the season with four straight away from home.  They are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.  Brady Hunter leads the way offensively against Vernon with 1 goal and 2 assists.  The Smoke Eaters mathematically can catch Wenatchee for 7^th place in the Interior.