Game Preview: Vees at Vernon Vipers (Game Four)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 8:15 pm PST
Location: Kal Tire Place, Vernon
Radio: Bounce 800 AM
Webcast: Flo Hockey
| Season Series | Playoff Series |
| Oct. 27, Vernon 3 at Penticton 5 | GM 1: April 19, Vernon 3 at Penticton 4 (OT) |
| Nov. 25, Penticton 1 at Vernon 2 (SO) | GM 2: Apr. 20, Vernon 1 at Penticton 3 |
| Dec. 31, Penticton 3 at Vernon 0 | GM 3: Apr. 23, Penticton 4 at Vernon 0 |
| Jan. 12, Vernon 1 at Penticton 2 | GM 4: Apr. 24, Penticton at Vernon, 8:15 pm |
| Feb 16, Vernon 2 at Penticton 4 | GM 5: Apr. 26, Vernon at Penticton, 7:00 pm* |
| GM 6: Apr. 28, Penticton at Vernon, 4:00 pm* | |
| GM 7: Apr. 30, Vernon at Penticton, 7:00 pm* | |
| *If necessary |
Penticton Vees
GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
Regular Season Record: GP 54 38-10-3-3, 1st in the Interior Conference
Playoff Record: 7-0
Last Game: 4-0 win at Vernon (Apr. 23)
Home: 4-0
Away: 3-0
GF: 23
GA: 8
Power Play: (4/16) 25.0% (3rd)
Penalty Kill: (13/15) 86.7% (5th)
Scoring Leaders: Anselmo Rego (4-2-6) | Cal Arnott (4-2-6) | Simon Meier (4-2-6)
On the heels of a dominating Game Three victory, the Vees make a return trip to Kal-Tire Place Wednesday with eyes set on closing things out. They lead the Vernon Vipers by a 3-0 count in the Interior Division Semi-Final thanks to a 4-0 shutout victory on Tuesday.
Their veterans led the way as Thomas Pichette, Callum Arnott and Conyr Hellyer all scored a goal each in addition to one by Simon Meier to cap off the victory. Pichette, Arnott, Zack Stringer, and Larry Keenan each recorded a pair of points in the game, with Will Ingemann picked up the 14-save shutout.
A stifling defensive effort by Penticton held the Vipers to just five shots on net in the final 40 minutes of Game Three. They took control of the game from the opening faceoff and only allowed two scoring chances, and both game on a Vernon power play in the first period.
The only expected change for the Vees in Game Four is Andrew Ness taking his turn in the goaltending rotation. Ness is 3-0 in the playoffs with .941% save percentage in three starts. He has stopped 48 of 51 shots faced and has one shutout in the postseason.
Vernon Vipers
Assistant Coaches: Colton Sparrow, Lukas Lomicky
Regular Season Record: GP 54 33-19-2-0, 4th in the Interior Conference
Playoff Record: 4-3
Last Game: 4-0 L vs. Penticton (Apr. 23)
Home: 3-1
Away: 1-3
GF: 24
GA: 21
Power Play: 4/19 21.1% (8th)
Penalty Kill: 18/25 72% (13th)
Scoring Leader: Isaac Tremblay (2-7-9)
With their backs against the wall and facing elimination for the first time in these Rogers BCHL Playoffs, the Vipers will look to force a Game Five in the Interior Division Semi-Final, Friday at the SOEC. Surely, they’ll be looking for one of those fast starts they got in Games One or Two to try and take an early lead at home.
Vernon will need to get more offence from their group if they look to force a Game Five. Vernon has scored just four goals in the first three games of this series and haven’t scored in the last five periods, going back to the first period of Game Two.
In the crease the story is very different. Ethan David has played all eight playoff games for Vernon and is the expected starter once again for tonight. The 20-year-old from Vancouver, BC, has been sensational for the Vipers in postseason, posting .928% save percentage in 480 minutes of work. His shot volume hasn’t been low, seeing an average of 38 shots per game while maintaining a goals against average below 3.00.
As always you can follow Vees hockey on the road thanks to our official broadcast partners at Flo Hockey TV and Bounce AM 800. For those looking for somewhere to watch Vees hockey while the team is on the road, join our friends at Match Eatery & Public House on Vees Drive for Vees hockey on the big screens along with great Food and Beverage specials!