BCHL Report:

This is posted on Juniorhockey.ca

DAILY DISH: BCHL REPORT - Junior Hockey News

Published: Tuesday, 3 Oct 2017

By: Stephen Heisler  |  Web site: JuniorHockey.com

The BCHL Report is a weekly look at Canada’s British Columbia Hockey League.

ISLAND

Powell River (5-1-1-0) – Head Coach Kent Lewis’ Kings took care of business at home in their only game of the week, getting past Alberni Valley 4-1. It looks like that offensive production problem is starting to work itself out. Trail and Wenatchee visit this week.

Victoria (5-3-0-0) – Craig Didmon’s Grizzlies rebounded from Friday night’s disappointing loss to Vernon with an overtime win over Langley on Saturday. Cowichan Valley visits the Q on Friday before Victoria travels to Nanaimo Saturday.

Nanaimo (4-3-0-1) – Head Coach Mike Vandekamp’s Clippers dropped both games last week and will likely experience a difficult week of practice as a result. Alberni Valley and Victoria visit this weekend and I’m thinking coach Vandekamp will have the ship turned into the right direction before then. BCHL INSIDER SAYS:

Alberni Valley (3-4-0-1) – Matt Hughes’ Bulldogs DID convert that effort into a pair of big wins last week, downing both Powell River and Langley in the process. The ‘Dogs are in Nanaimo Friday before hosting Trail Saturday.

Cowichan Valley (1-7-0-0) – With just 142 fans in the seast in Coquitlam, the Capitals might not have realized there was an actual BCHL game being played. After getting hammered 7-1 the night before at Merritt, I can understand the lack of inspiration. The good news is, there are plenty of players still out there that won’t have a hard time getting excited about the opportunity to play BCHL hockey.

INTERIOR

Vernon (7-1-0-1) – Don’t look now but, Head Coach Mark Ferner’s Vipers are sitting atop the super-competitive Interior Division of the BCHL. That’s what happens when a team guts out whatever it takes to get the job done, and that’s exactly what’s expected of them from the hard-nosed coach. We get to see big-boy hockey this week when Vernon battles powerhouse Penticton in the home-and-home duo.

Trail (6-1-1-0) – Head Coach Cam Keith’s Smokies continue their winning ways, extending the winning streak to five games after weekend wins over Chilliwack and Salmon Arm. With a three-game road trip set for this weekend, can Trail keep the streak alive? The Smokies visit Powell Rover, Alberni Valley, and Chilliwack Friday to Sunday.

Penticton (5-0-0-0) – Head Coach Fred Harbinson’s Vees remain the league’s only unblemished team with a perfect 5-0 record to start the season. Friday’s home win over West Kelowna drew 3,675 fans to the home opener. The Vees are matched up well with Vernon for this week’s home-and-home set.

West Kelowna (5-3-0-0) – Coach Rylan Ferster’s Warriors rebounded from Friday’s tough loss at Penticton with a sound 6-0 shutout of Chilliwack at home on Saturday. The Warriors visit Coquitlam tomorrow and host Salmon Arm Saturday.

Wenatchee (4-1-0-1) – Wild Head Coach Bliss Littler let his boys run wild in their 11-1 destruction of Cowichan Valley Friday night. Wenatchee visits Chilliwack, Powell Rover, and Cowichan Valley this week.

Salmon Arm (3-5-0-0) – Head Coach Scott Atkinson’s Silverbacks took care of Coquitlam 5-3 on Friday before dropping Saturday’s matchup with Trail. Suddenly smoking Merritt visits Friday before Salmon Arm goes to West Kelowna Saturday.

Merritt (3-6-0-0) – Head Coach Joe Martin’s Cents exceeded our Insider’s expectations; getting a full six-points from their weekend trio of home games. Merritt is at Salmon Arm Friday in their only game of the week.

MAINLAND

Prince George (5-3-0-1) – Head Coach Adam Maglio’s Spruce Kings must be excited to get back to Prince George after dropping two of three road contests over the weekend. Surrey visits this weekend.

Langley (3-1-4-0) – Head Coach Bobby Henderson’s Rivermen lost both of their games over the weekend, both overtime losses. Langley has a home-and-home set lined up with Coquitlam this week.

Surrey (2-5-1-1) – Brandon West’s Eagles beat Prince George 4-1 on Friday before losing to Surrey 5-4 on Saturday. The Spruce Kings will be looking for revenge this week when the Eagles visit Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.

Chilliwack (1-5-1-1) – Head Coach Jason Tatarnic might put his entire team on the trade wire this week. Out gunned 13-3 in their two losses to Trail and West Kelowna, the Chiefs coach is unable to pull any additional hair out of his head. Wenatchee and Trail visit this week.

Coquitlam (1-6-0-1) – Only 142 Coquitlam fans were able to see Barry Wolf’s Express beat Cowichan Valley on Sunday. That’s exactly 683 less than what witnessed the home opening 5-3 loss to Prince George. West Kelowna and Langley visit this week…let’s see how many butts are in the seats for that.