Game: Penticton Vees vs Powell River Kings
Arena: Hap Parker Arena
Puck Drop: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Starts at 7:00pm
95.7 SunFM Free Audio
FastHockey PPV Video
Kings This Season vs Opposition: 0-0-0-1
Last Meeting: Vees won 4-3 (OT) (October 12th, 2013)
Kings 2013/2014 Record: 14-3-0-1 (1st Island)
Kings at home: 10-3-0-0
Kings Last 10: 7-2-0-1
Kings vs Interior: 4-1-0-0
Opposition 2013/2014 Record: 11-4-1-1 (4th Interior)
Opposition on the road: 3-4-1-0
Opposition Last 10: 6-2-1-1
It’s been 6 days since the Kings got ‘back on track’ with a 4-1 win over the Clippers. To use the term “back on track” seems a little odd, considering it was just one game, but it was far removed from the Kings that we’ve become accustomed to seeing this year. Friday’s game of little effort, slow feet and misdirected passes was improved upon greatly Saturday by more urgency, early scoring and solid play in their own zone. This weekend will prove to be challenging once more.
When not moonlighting as movie-stars, the team has been practicing for a return leg against the Vees. It’s been a little under a month since the Kings let a 3-1 lead slip in Penticton, and wound up falling 4-3 in overtime. It was a blip on what has been a terrific season to date, but one that stings a great deal. It’s been the only loss on the Kings (granted, limited) road schedule this year, and one that I’d imagine the players are keen to atone for.
They’ll have to do it short-handed however, as they’ll be without at least 5 regulars. Matt Scarth and Kyle Chatham are closer to returning, but still out for this weekend. The Kings also have a trio in Nova Scotia, with Kurt Keats and Team Canada West going for Gold, and Luke Ripley along with Jeff Smith trying to impress at the Top Prospects series at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge. To compound this, Jeremy LeClerc is considered a game time decision. Stefan Wornig will be in for Jeff Smith, with Jonah Imoo to get the start. Local product Hunter Findlater comes back for BCHL game number 3 after an impressive debut last weekend.
I was shocked when writing out the key stats above. On first glance, the Penticton Vees…4th in the Interior Division. But consider the fact they haven’t played since October 26th…13 days and you begin to understand why they’ve “dropped off”. Also take into account the fact there is just 2 points between 4th and 1st in the Interior Division and it begins to paint a clearer picture and puts “4th in the Interior Division” in perspective.
A loss, combined with a Salmon Arm win could drop the Vees to 5th and outside playoffs, a win with some other results their way and they’re in a share for 1st. To add into this “Interior division is pretty close” storyline, the “5th place” Silverbacks feature 2 of the top 6 leading scorers in the league. Where the Vees do excel is special teams this year. They have both the 2nd ranked powerplay and penalty kill, and hold a slight advantage on paper coming into the game, with the Kings right behind them in 3rd in both categories.
The Vees are typically a strong team, they recruit heavily and keep the best of the best. 13 players on their roster are already committed to NCAA schools and they feature scoring threats both up front and on the blue line. They too are short-handed, with Paul Stoykewych with his former team-mate Kurt Keats in Nova Scotia competing for Team Canada West. The Vees are saying they’ll skate 7 defencemen during warmup and make one final scratch before game-time.
In net, the Vees have been splitting time between Hunter Miska (who got the win in October) and Oliver Mantha. Both are 1 and 2 in the BCHL’s goaltending stats, with Jeff Smith and Jonah Imoo right behind (Smith was 1st prior to a tough outing on Friday). Mantha gets the start tonight for Penticton.
In our pre-game show, we’ll chat with the coaches from both benches, get to your keys to the game, the tale of the tape and stat pack. In the 1st intermission, we’ll chat with Curtis McCarrick on his 1st BCHL goal, Matt Scarth on his injury and rehab, along with Ryan Scarfo on his budding movie career and the Penticton match-up.
In the 2nd intermission, we’ll catch up with 2 of the 3 in Nova Scotia. Kurt Keats talks on the tournament so far after his team’s semi-final matchup on Friday. Also, Jeff Smith speaks on the prospects game. In the post-game show, we’ll break down the game and preview Sunday’s tilt against Cowichan.
