BCHL-Team By Team Report:

This is in last weeks BC Hockey Now Newspaper:

BCHL Team-By-Team Reports

December 23, 2011

Posted in BC Edition, Junior A

COASTAL CONFERENCE

Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Paul Esdale was relieved as head coach Dec. 7 and a win for new head coach Kevin Willison against first-place Cowichan Valley on Dec. 9 was welcome but the ’Dogs were still 2-7-1-0 over a recent 10-game stretch. The loss of Yan Kalashnikov to a broken wrist is really hurting.

Coquitlam Express

John Siemer has supplemented the offence with nine goals in a recent seven-game span while the guys named Alex (that would be Petan and Kerfoot) continue to set the pace. Coquitlam is clinging to the final playoff position in what is shaping up to be an epic race to the top-four in the Coastal Conference.

Cowichan Valley Capitals

It’s been going on too long now to call it a flash in the pan. The Caps’ have gone 11-3-4 since the start of November and have zoomed to the top of the Coastal Conference. Goalie Derek Dun was a recent Player of the Week recipient but Brady Rouleau has been no slouch either with a 6-2 mark and 2.17 goals-against average.

Langley Rivermen

Probably no other team has made as many roster moves since the start of the season as owner Roy Henderson is tapped into a vast player network via his work with Global Sports Camps. Veteran Darnell Dyck continues to be the top point-getter while 1995-born blueliner Bo Pellah looks mature beyond his years.

Nanaimo Clippers

The Clips are part of the dogfight to remain in the top-four in the conference but are getting great production from all-star defenceman Graeme McCormack who leads the team in scoring. Up front, there’s a bit of a dropoff after Kyle Kramer, Andrew Gladiuk and Trevor Fitzgerald but rookie import David Iacono has chipped in nicely from the blueline.

Powell River Kings

Craig Dalrymple’s stellar production from the back end continues and on Dec. 2, the 6-foot-5 rearguard scored the only hat trick by a BCHL defenceman this season. Rookie netminder Jamie Phillips leads the league in shutouts (3) and goals-against average (1.97). The Kings are tough at Hap Parker Arena with an 11-2-1-1 mark but are just 6-8-1-1 on the road.

Surrey Eagles

Like the Kings, Surrey has a great home record at 11-2-1-2 but just 5-7-0-1 on the road. Currently in third, the Eagles don’t score a ton with Tyler and Brandon Morley the only point-a-game players. Recent acquisition Brayden Jaw should help in that regard and goalie Andrew Hunt gives the team a chance most nights.

Victoria Grizzlies

The league’s second-highest scoring team still hasn’t figured out how to stop the opposition from scoring but they do boast four of the league’s top-20 scorers in Wade Murphy, Mike Moran, Wesley Myron and Jarryd Ten Vaanholt. Victoria is 17-16, the only team in the BCHL without a tie or overtime loss.

INTERIOR CONFERENCE

Chilliwack Chiefs

Quietly, the former Quesnel Millionaires have snuck up to third place in the Interior on a formula of a gritty defensive game and solid goaltending. Tyler Miller, Shay Laurent, Alexandre Perron-Fontaine and Matt Hutchinson are rugged rearguards while Mitch Gillam has been good in net with a .916 save percentage.

Merritt Centennials

The Cents continue to plug away and sit second in the conference despite just one point-a-game scorer in Regan Soquila. Brandon Pfeil and Billy Marshall have contributed nicely from the blueline combining for 38 points. The goalie tandem of Lino Chimienti and Tyler Steel is one of the best in the league.

Penticton Vees

What more is there to say? The Vees are 28-3-0-2 and have scored 175 goals in 33 games (Victoria is next with 128 goals in 33 games). They have five scorers in the top seven with Connor Reilly and Mario Lucia tied for the lead with 56 points apiece. Oh, and they have last year’s Coastal Conference Top Goaltender Mike Garteig in net.

Prince George Spruce Kings

Paul De Jersey’s production has not slowed but the Spruce Kings have slipped to fifth place though they’re tied in points with Vernon. New addition Ty Swabb, despite just three games played, looks like a good pickup to share crease duties with Kirk Thompson. Defenceman Chase Golightly has been great with 19 point since rejoining from the USHL.

Salmon Arm SilverBacks

With Devin Muller trying out for Switzerland in advance of the World Junior Championships, the ’Backs are potentially without their top scorer for an extended period of time should he make the team. If he does, there will be a chance for Kody Dhaliwal and Mak Barden to get some more minutes in the top six forward group.

Trail Smoke Eaters

The Smokies find themselves looking up at the rest of the league but recent acquisition Lyndon Stanwood has won a couple of games in net since joining the team from the Junior B Kamloops Storm. If teams shut down Clayton Chessa and Erik Cooper, it’s real tough for Trail to muster much offence.

Vernon Vipers

It’s hard to remember the last time the Vipers found themselves lower than second in the standings but they’re gripping to the final playoff spot in fourth currently. Recent deals to acquire defenceman Sean Robertson and forward Ben Gamache add experience but they gave up Marcus Basara – who was just scooped up by rival Westside – in the Gamache deal.

Westside Warriors

Picking up Marcus Basara should help as there are just two players on the roster with double-digit goal totals in Connor Dempsey and Max French. Unfortunately, the Tribe had to deal Tyler Krause in order to acquire Basara. With Dwayne Rodrigue and James Leonard now the goalie tandem, Rylan Ferster finally seems satisfied with his crease duo.