February 07, 2013
Posted in BC Edition, Junior A
By Brent Mutis
With a month to go until the end of the regular season, 15 teams remain solidly in the hunt for the post-season. The Cowichan Valley Capitals, pending the result of their Feb. 8 game in Nanaimo, might be officially out and recently underwent a coaching change. The race for the Brett Hull Trophy for top scorer will be a dandy with top seven scorers within six points of each other.
INTERIOR DIVISION
Penticton Vees – A seven-game win streak was punctuated by a Feb. 2, 11-0 win over Coquitlam that featured a seven-point performance by Wade Murphy. They have the best goal differential in the league at plus-58. One area that could be improved is the 10th-ranked powerplay.
Merritt Centennials – With Penticton streaking again, nabbing first place is unlikely and the Cents now have to focus on fending off third-place West Kelowna. Merritt faces the Warriors three more times before the end of the season. Silvan Harper has come on lately with 10 points in nine games.
West Kelowna Warriors – Even though they haven’t had Brett McKinnon since Nov. 16 and had to move him to the long-term injured reserve list, the Tribe has kept their heads above water and have a plus-36 goal differential. The big challenge now is 10 of their final 13 games are on the road.
Salmon Arm SilverBacks – The Gorillas have created some separation from Trail for the final playoff spot as they’re now six points up on the Smokies. They finish out February with four of six at home but play all five March games on the road. Just five goals against in the last four games is a good sign.
Trail Smoke Eaters – They have just nine games remaining with which to track down Salmon Arm for a playoff berth but the good news is seven of them are at home. Though it’s late in the game now, addressing the powerplay (16th) and penalty kill (15th) will go a long way.
Vernon Vipers – Mason Blacklock seemed to find instant chemistry with Andrew Tegeler after being acquired Jan. 10 and the duo have combined for 18 points since then. Despite that, it would take a minor miracle for them to reel in a playoff spot. A goal to close out the season should be improving on the last-place penalty killing.
ISLAND DIVISION
Victoria Grizzlies – Myles Fitzgerald’s season has been nothing short of fantastic as he’s reeled off a 17-game point streak in which he’s piled-up 14 goals and 16 assists to get near the top of the scoring charts. The Grizz have picked up points in 12 straight games, not losing in regulation since Dec. 29.
Nanaimo Clippers – The injury bug set its sights on the Clips recently with Jan. 10 acquisition Aaron Hadley going down along with fellow playmaker Michael McNicholas. Matt Grant has stepped it up in their absence with points in six of his last seven and the power play continues to improve.
Alberni Valley Bulldogs – Wins in four straight have the ’Dogs pushing for home-ice advantage in the playoffs but they’ll have to overtake Nanaimo to get it. Veteran defenceman Chase Van Allen has been productive lately with seven points in his last six games.
Powell River Kings – It’s been a different kind of year for the four-time defending Coastal Conference champs but they’re almost guaranteed a playoff spot due to the struggles of the Capitals. There’s been a real step back on the penalty kill; after the team led the league last season they’re operating at 77.5 per cent now.
Cowichan Valley Capitals – Jim Ingram stepped down from his head coaching duties on Jan. 29 after what had been a tough second season with the Caps. The first two games for the new coaching duo of Aaron Plumb and Darren Rodney were losses to the Bulldogs, including Feb. 3 where they held a 3-1 lead after two periods.
MAINLAND DIVISION
Surrey Eagles – Brady Shaw missed two games after an injury in Chilliwack Jan. 25 but has points in each game since returning and has 18 in his last 10 overall. A team with this talent should be better than 13th on the power play but they’ve still managed to take over first place in the Mainland.
Chilliwack Chiefs – The end of January and start of February has been a rough patch for the Chiefs with four straight losses, which included 21 goals against. Austin Plevy has 23 points in the last 12 games and has a good shot at the Brett Hull Trophy. Philip Zielonka has points in eight of 10 since being acquired.
Prince George Spruce Kings – While they’re five games above .500 and destined for post-season play, they’ve allowed seven more goals than they’ve scored. Adding some punch to the power play would help as they’ve scored the second fewest goals on the man advantage. Cam Lawson has been on five with 10 points in five games.
Langley Rivermen – Losses in three straight mean the playoffs are no guarantee but the Express has all but derailed so it will take a serious tragedy for Langley to miss the postseason. Once there, they could face Chilliwack, which would pit top scorer Mario Puskarich against rivals Luke Esposito and Austin Plevy.
Coquitlam Express – A postseason berth is still within reach but losses in seven of the last eight, including an 11-0 pasting in Penticton Feb. 2, are ominous. Coquitlam’s penalty killing led the league into October but has since fallen to 14th. Ben Israel has been a bright light on the blueline.
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