Game 2 – Vernon Vipers vs. Cranbrook Bucks Pregame Report

Cranbrook, BC:  The Vernon Vipers look to even up their season tonight when they travel to Cranbrook to take on the Bucks.

Vernon Vipers Overview

The Vernon Vipers are coming off a tough 5-3 loss last night against the Trail Smoke Eaters. Despite the setback, the Vipers showed resilience with goals from Luke Bibby, Will Schumacher, and Vinny Ipri. Goaltender Colin Reay faced a barrage of shots, making 25 saves on 29 attempts, keeping the Vipers competitive throughout the night.

Special teams played a significant role in the game, with the Vipers converting on 1 of 4 power-play opportunities, while their penalty kill was effective, stopping 4 out of 5 Smoke Eaters’ chances.

Key Players to Watch:

• Luke Bibby: Scored in last night’s game and will be relied upon to create offensive chances.
• Will Schumacher: A consistent offensive presence who will look to build on his goal from the previous game.
• Shea Busch: The second year Viper controlled the puck well and generated a number of good chances at the Smoke Eater goal.

Cranbrook Bucks Overview

The Cranbrook Bucks are coming off a dominating 9-0 victory over West Kelowna last night. It was a statement win for the Bucks, who were led offensively by Samuel Lyne and Kaslo Ferner, each recording two goals and an assist. Tanner Fennell was a playmaking force, contributing three assists, while goaltender Kolton Bourret notched his first career BCHL shutout with 21 saves.

The Bucks’ offense will be a formidable challenge for Vernon, as they’ll be riding high on confidence after their blowout victory.

Key Players to Watch:

• Samuel Lyne & Kaslo Ferner: Both forwards were offensive catalysts in last night’s win, combining for four goals and will look to carry that momentum into tonight’s matchup.
• Tanner Fennell: With three assists, Fennell’s playmaking ability will be crucial to the Bucks’ offensive success.
• Kolton Bourret: Coming off his first BCHL win and shutout, Bourret will be eager to continue his hot streak between the pipes.

Season Series History

• 2022-23 Season Head-to-Head: Vernon led the season series 4-3, outscoring Cranbrook 26-20 in those matchups.
• This Season: Tonight marks the first of four meetings between the Vipers and the Bucks this season.

Keys to the Game:

• Vernon Vipers:
  • Tighten up defensively: After allowing five goals last night, the Vipers will need a stronger defensive effort to neutralize Cranbrook’s high-powered offense.
  • Strong start: The Vipers will want to establish themselves early and avoid falling behind against a confident Bucks team.
  • Special Teams: Continue their solid penalty kill and look to capitalize on power-play opportunities to keep pace with Cranbrook’s offensive depth.
• Cranbrook Bucks:
  • Maintain offensive momentum: After scoring nine goals last night, the Bucks will look to keep the pressure on Vernon and take advantage of any defensive lapses.
  • Solid goaltending: With Bourret fresh off his shutout, the Bucks will look for him to provide another strong performance to help lock down a victory.
  • Exploit home-ice advantage: Playing in front of their home crowd, the Bucks will aim to feed off the energy and start fast.

Final Note: With both teams playing on back-to-back nights, conditioning and focus will play a significant role in tonight’s contest. The Vipers will be motivated to bounce back from last night’s defeat, while the Bucks look to build on their dominant win.

Game Details:

• Date: Tonight
• Location: Western Financial Place, Cranbrook, BC
• Puck Drop: 7:00 PM PT
• Broadcast: Pre-game show starts at 5:45 PM PT on 107.5 Beach Radio and FloHockey.