BCHL Interior Conference Playoff Report:

This was in last weeks BC Hockey Magazine:

BCHL Interior Conference Playoff Report

March 10, 2011 /

By Ryan Pinder /

The first round of the 2011 Fred Page Cup Playoffs passed with all favoured teams advancing to the second round.

The Vernon Vipers will now hop the boards and enter the post season after a third straight season where they’ve earned a bye in the Interior Conference for the first time in ages, each of the four remaining teams could be justified as favorites.

1) Vernon Vipers vs. 4) Westside Warriors

If any team in the BCHL knows how to deal with the bye, it’s the Vernon Vipers. Mark Ferner’s crew was given two separate breaks of a couple days during the 16-day break between their season finale and their playoff debut. A quick start would be big for a Vernon squad that has nine rookies. Last season, the Vipers open the playoffs with a six-game series win over a surprising Quesnel team that upset Salmon Arm in the first round. The Vipers have yet to name a ‘number-one’ goalie – Blake Voth (‘91) and Kirby Halcrow (‘91) have alternated starts since they were paired.
The Warriors sure showed their determination and character in their opening round series with the Trail Smoke Eaters. Down 1-0 and 2-1 in the series, the Warriors clawed back from a two-goal deficit, on the road, to win Game 4 and eventually oust the Smokies for the third straight season, this time in seven games. The Warriors will carry all sorts of momentum into Vernon to open the second round match-up, but had also amassed some major playoff miles, which could leave them with less than a full tank.
The Vipers won the season series (4-0-1-1) with one win coming in overtime.

2) Penticton Vees vs. 3) Salmon Arm Silverbacks

The Vees dispatched of the Quesnel Millionaires in the first round, needing just four games to advance to the second round. A physical and at times dirty series between the Vees and Mills showcased Penticton’s size and toughness – traits that will have to be on display should the club want to get past a skilled group in Salmon Arm. The Vees will have D - Paul Bezzo (‘90) and F - Brendan O’Donnell (‘92) back from injury in the second round, while F - Mark MacMillan’s (‘92) status is up in the air. The Vees averaged five goals for and just two against in their sweep of the Mills.
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks also swept their first round opponent, as they blew-out the Merritt Centennials in Game 1 before squeaking out three one-goal wins including one OT game in Merritt. David Killip (‘91) and Morgan Zulinick (‘94) were absent for the bulk of the first round, but are hoping to return to the line-up against Penticton. The Silverbacks’ powerplay finished the regular season as the top unit in the league executing at 28.36 per cent, and in the first round it was strong converting on 23.5 per cent of it’s opportunities.
The Silverbacks won the season series (3-2-1-0).

Eliminated 5) Trail Smoke Eaters –

Defeated in seven games by Westside.

A season with so much promise came screeching to a halt in West Kelowna on the 5th of March when the Smokies were shutout by the Warriors. Sitting in first place in the Interior Conference well into October, this was supposed to be the year that Trail got home ice and made a run. In the end the club couldn’t close out a Game 4 that they led through 40 minutes. That appeared to be the turning point of the season. There is talk that F - Travis St. Denis (‘92) will be returning for another season of BCHL seasoning.

6) Merritt Centennials –

Defeated in four games by Salmon Arm

A year of growth in Merritt didn’t have second round appearance in the cards. The good news for hockey fans in the Nicola Valley is that all but four of the Cents are eligible to return next season including standout rookie F - Regan Soquila (‘93), puck-stopper Lino Chimienti (‘91), and impressive 16-year-old rearguard Reece Wilcox. The Cents proved to be one of the hardest working clubs in the BCHL this season, and they’ll be better next season.

7) Quesnel Millionaires –

Defeated in four games by Penticton

After an ugly start in Penticton to their first round series, the Millionaires got home and played more responsible hockey, and as a result the club had a chance to win both games, but didn’t. Injuries were a huge factor in the Mills quick exit from the post-season, as number one net-minder Bryton Udy (‘93), and six other regulars spent time on the sidelines in the first round.

8) Prince George Spruce Kings –

Did Not Qualify for Playoffs.

The Spruce Kings are interviewing applicants for their open coaching position this week and are aiming to have a bench boss in place for their April 1 Spring Camp.