Interior Conference Playoff Preview:

Interior Conference Preview: Battle begins for 3 semi-finals berths

Friday, February 26, 2010 - Submitted by BCHL Media

The Interior Conference quarter-finals begin on three fronts tonight, as Penticton, Westside and Quesnel host series openers against Merritt, Trail and Salmon Arm respectively.

#2 - Penticton Vees vs. #7 - Merritt Centennials

Penticton: 48-8-0-4; 100 points
Merritt: 22-36-0-2; 46 points

Recent Form: The Vees enter the playoffs having won seven of their last 10 and took nine of a possible ten points during their regular season-ending five game home streak. The Cents slowed down the stretch but did defeat #4-seeded Salmon Arm three times in their past 10 games.

Head-to-Head Record: Penticton won five of six games played between the two teams. Merritt's lone win was a 5-4 decision earned at home on September 29th. Overall, the Vees outscored the Centennials by a margin of 37-14.

Players to Watch: Interior Conference Rookie of the Year Beau Bennett scorched opposing defences over the final two months of the season, scoring 18 goals and adding 38 assists his final 21 games. Bennett enters the playoffs having scored four points in five of his last seven. Merritt's Dustin Johnson finished the regular season riding an 11-game point streak that included 21 points and finished in a tie for 18th in league scoring.

Game 1: February 26th @ Penticton
Game 2: February 27th @ Penticton
Game 3: March 1st @ Merritt
Game 4: March 2nd @ Merritt
Game 5: March 4th @ Penticton
Game 6: March 5th @ Merritt
Game 7: March 6th @ Penticton


#3 - Westside Warriors vs. #6 - Trail Smoke Eaters

Westside: 38-18-1-3; 80 points
Trail: 20-32-1-7; 48 points

Recent Form: The Warriors were one of the Interior's top clubs during the regular season but struggled in February, where they won just two of seven games while also picking up a pair of overtime losses. Trail picked up five of a possible six points during three back-to-back games against the Warriors and fought to a 4-2-3 record in nine February contests.

Head-to-Head Record: The Warriors had Trail's number in the first three meetings between the clubs, outscoring the Smoke Eaters 19-5 in three victories. However, the Smokies rebounded with two home wins and a road overtime loss to close out the year.

Players to Watch: Westside's Trevor Bailey was one of the Interior's best forwards, topping the 40-goal and 85-point marks as a 20-year old while picking up a Conference MVP nomination. Warriors starter Kevin Jebson led all BCHL netminders with 34 wins. Meanwhile, Trail boasts three 60+ point scorers in Scott Jacklin, Nick Sandor and Sam Mellor, who was an Interior Rookie of the Year candidate and picked up points in nine of Trail's final 10 regular season games.

Game 1: February 26th @ Westside
Game 2: February 27th @ Westside
Game 3: March 1st @ Trail
Game 4: March 2nd @ Trail
Game 5: March 5th @ Westside
Game 6: March 6th @ Trail
Game 7: March 7th @ Westside


#4 - Salmon Arm SilverBacks vs. #5 Quesnel Millionaires

Salmon Arm: 29-25-3-3; 64 points
Quesnel: 22-32-0-6; 50 points

Recent Form: Salmon Arm had a rough finish to the regular season, failing to win in seven February contests before capping the regular season with a home result over the Surrey Eagles. The Millionaires capped off the month with back-to-back wins after netting five points on a five-game road trip.

Head-to-Head Record: The SilverBacks and Millionaires met just four times during the regular season, with Salmon Arm winning twice in regulation and the clubs splitting a pair of overtime decisions. Quesnel's Joshua Desmarais scored the game winner when the teams last met at the Sunwave Centre on January 8th.

Players to Watch: No BCHL player has put up more points during the past two seasons than the SilverBacks' Mark Zengerle. The Wisconsin-bound forward has scored 64 goals and added an eye-popping 149 assists in 114 games in the league, and picked up 13 points in his last five games en route to tying for this season's scoring title. Quesnel's balanced attack is led by third-year forward Trever Hertz, who earned RBC Cup experience during a stint with the Victoria Grizzlies last season. Joshua Desmarais has been instant offence (42 points in 28 games) since being acquired in a midseason deal.

Game 1: February 26th @ Quesnel
Game 2: February 27th @ Quesnel
Game 3: March 1st @ Salmon Arm
Game 4: March 2nd @ Salmon Arm
Game 5: March 4th @ Salmon Arm
Game 6: March 5th @ Quesnel
Game 7: March 6th @ Salmon Arm