This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:The national champion Vernon Vipers will begin their defence of the B.C. Hockey League Fred Page Cup title starting Friday, Sept. 11.
The BCHL announced a 60-game, full interlock schedule, meaning the Vipers will play every team home and away least once over the season. In 2008-09, the Snakes saw each of the Coastal Conference teams once, as the league opted to use a half-interlock system to develop local rivalries.
They start with a home-and-home series against the Salmon Arm SilverBacks, hosting the ‘Backs on the Friday at Wesbild Centre before visiting Sunwave Centre Saturday, Sept. 12.
The Vipers’ most difficult road stretch starts Oct. 15, as they spend 13 of 17 games on the road, including a pair of northern road swings and a tour of the Mainland teams.
One of their more favourable stints comes at the end of the season, where eight of their last 12 games are at home. The Vipers end the season with three straight games against Salmon Arm, Westside Warriors and Surrey Eagles respectively, Feb. 19-21.
Vernon will face the SilverBacks and Merritt Cententials seven times each, and will tangle with the remaining Southern Interior teams – Trail Smoke Eaters, Warriors and Penticton Vees – six times.
The Vipers play the remaining Interior teams – expansion Williams Lake TimberWolves, Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings – four times apiece.
Coastal Conference teams will play the Vipers once at Wesbild and once at home.
There will be three Sunday matinee home games (Oct. 4, Oct. 11, and Feb. 21) and five during the week.
The Vipers get a decent Christmas break, as they get 10 days off after they host the Nanaimo Clippers, Saturday, Dec. 19. They return Tuesday, Dec. 29 against the Smokies.
There will be 510 regular-season games amongst the 17 BCHL teams as they compete for 14 postseason berths.
The Powell River Kings, who faced the Vipers, in last season’s Fred Page Cup final, host the defending national champions on Wednesday, Nov. 18 before visiting Wesbild Friday, Jan. 29.
The 2010 BCHL All-Star Game goes Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo. Fred Page Cup playoff action begins Friday, Feb. 26.
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