March 09, 2013
Posted in BC Edition, Junior A
By Brent Mutis
At Hockey Now deadline, there was just one week left of regular season play and just one playoff spot up for grabs. The season’s final days will determine who plays who in the post-season, which begins Friday, March 15, and which teams be at homes for Games 1 and 2. Questions remained at deadline time as to the Goaltending Award (lowest GAA/1,000 minutes played) but safe to say Mario Puskarich, with a 16-point edge, will win the Brett Hull Trophy as top scorer.
ISLAND DIVISION
Alberni Valley Bulldogs – A loss to Nanaimo March 3 ensured the Clippers will have home-ice advantage in the playoff series between these two teams. Before going scoreless March 2 and 3, Evan Tironese scored 21 points in 10 February games and will have to be big if the ’Dogs want to bark in the playoffs.
Cowichan Valley Capitals – The first team eliminated from playoff contention this season had some good results to finish February with consecutive wins over first-place Victoria but it’s good for little more than experience. Defenceman Jarrett Brown is finishing strong in an outstanding rookie campaign.
Nanaimo Clippers – A three-win weekend, including back-to-back overtime wins against Victoria and a 6-3 defeat of Alberni Valley, sends the message the Clips are primed for playoff time. They eagerly anticipate the returns of Michael McNicholas and Aaron Hadley. This could be a team on the rise at the right time.
Powell River Kings – Cowichan Valley’s struggles essentially handed them a playoff berth but this hasn’t been a season to remember for the Kings. With one game left, they had lost five in a row and will face Victoria, who have also been slumping, in Round 1. Evan Richardson has six points in three games.
Victoria Grizzlies – This slumber can’t continue; they’ve lost four straight heading into the final weekend. Good news is that Myles Fitzgerald is back but he’ll need support – Gerry Fitzgerald hasn’t played since Jan. 20 but remains third in team scoring. The Grizz get good production from defenceman D.J. Jones, Nolan De Jong and Blake Thompson.
MAINLAND DIVISION
Chilliwack Chiefs – Another top team that has been slumping lately, the Chiefs will play Prince George in the first round. They still boast the No. 1 penalty kill and No. 2 powerplay in the BCHL. Josh Hansen’s return to health is good in an already-deep forward group. The blueline is still big and nasty.
Coquitlam Express – Despite being sellers at the trade deadline, the Express made things interesting down the stretch and weren’t officially eliminated until March 3. Malcolm McKinney seems intent on finishing his Junior A career with a bang – he has nine points in his last four games, including a four-goal game.
Langley Rivermen – A two-goal, four-assist game March 3 not only put an exclamation point on the scoring title for Mario Puskarich, it came in a postseason berth-clinching 8-4 win over PG. The Rivermen will face rival Surrey in the first round and will be able to play loose as the underdogs.
Prince George Spruce Kings – They’ll visit Chilliwack to open the post-season but will feel good as they won 5-3 at Prospera Centre on Feb. 23. PG relies on a by-committee offensive approach but are led by Cam Lawson and Coltyn Hansen. Not sure what defensive defenceman Kevin Guiltinan is up to lately but he has three points in four games.
Surrey Eagles – Having long since locked-up first place in the Mainland, the Eagles not also have a good shot at top spot in the BCHL as the hottest of the three division-leading teams. They’ll be more concerned with facing Langley in the first round and neutralizing Mario Puskarich, who has not been contained by many teams this year.
INTERIOR DIVISION
Merritt Centennials – Pretty recently, the Cents were reeling in Penticton for first but now they have to be careful West Kelowna doesn’t catch them for second place. Either way, they’ll face the Warriors in Round One and a 6-2 loss to them March 2 is a stark reminder of what’s ahead.
Penticton Vees – Back-to-back overtime losses to Trail should help sharpen this club’s focus heading into the playoffs. Trail has been gunning for the final playoff spot and the Vees can vanquish those hopes if they can defeat them in their final meeting March 10.
Salmon Arm SilverBacks – A road-only schedule to finish the season is a severe test but Salmon Arm went two points up on Trail with a gutsy comeback win March 3 in Coquitlam. The high-pressure atmosphere the Gorillas have been playing in could make them tough in the playoffs.
Trail Smoke Eaters – Whatever the outcome, the Smokies have not finished the season quietly. Wins on Feb. 23 and March 1 in overtime against Penticton showed this team has jam but it may not be enough with Salmon Arm having a game in hand. A much-improved season over last year, any way you cut it.
Vernon Vipers – It’s all about next year in Vernon and has been for a while but there are some good players returning to build around like Mason Blacklock and Dexter Dancs. Special teams should be a focus for next season as the Snakes’ power play and penalty kill were 15th and 16th respectively.
West Kelowna Warriors – Quietly, the Tribe is the highest scoring team in the BCHL and has snuck up on the Merritt Centennials for a chance at home-ice advantage in the first round. Goalie Tyler Briggs has not been overworked and should be primed for a playoff run while Marcus Basara has been one of the top players in the league all season.
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