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DAILY DISH: BCHL REPORT - Junior Hockey News

Published: Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

By: Stephen Heisler  |  Web site: JuniorHockey.com

The BCHL Report is a weekly look at Canada’s British Columbia Hockey League. The BCHL Insider is exactly that...a coach, or employee, with incredible insight into the league.

ISLAND

Powell River (9-3-1-1) – Head Coach Kent Lewis’ Kings had a good week; earning points in both games. The Clippers visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Kings seem to have underestimated an opponent last weekend. That won’t happen this week. Kings will be ready for 3, maybe 4 points.

Victoria (9-6-1-0) – Craig Didmon’s Grizzlies took two of the three games last week and will have to fully charged for this week’s trio of games. Victoria visits Nanaimo before Chilliwack and Salmon Arm drop in at the Q this weekend. BCHL INSIDER SAYS:  Tall order for the Grizz this week, but being at home helps a little. Grizz win 2 of the 3, but too much coming at them to sweep.

Nanaimo (7-7-0-1) – Head Coach Mike Vandekamp’s got a pair of wins in their two games last week. Duplicating that success this week would certainly be a bonus. Victoria visits tomorrow before the Clips head to Powell River for the weekend. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Clippers look good a lot of the time, but not all the time. The weekend at the Hap will be a good measure of how close they are to being a contender.

Alberni Valley (6-6-1-1) – Matt Hughes’ Bulldogs won one, tied one, and lost one last week to keep themselves at .500. Will the still be there after the rough week ahead? Alberni Valley is at Penticton, Wenatchee, and Langley. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Penticton has the best win percentage in the BCHL, Langley is in first place in the Mainland, and Wenatchee’s 60 goals is tied for most in the league. Makes for a rough weekend.

Cowichan Valley (1-12-2-0) – Just how bad are things? Not at all, the Caps put up a heck of a fight at West Kelowna. The winless streak is now at a dozen. Salmon Arm and Chilliwack visit this week.  BCHL INSIDER SAYS: If you could earn points for putting up a heck of a fight, the Caps would be in business. The only way they win right now is if someone takes them for granted. Could happen, but doubt it.

INTERIOR

West Kelowna (11-5-0-0) – Coach Rylan Ferster’s Warriors went 2-1 last week, doing well enough to hold the division’s top spot. This week’s visits to Vernon and Merritt should be fun. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: With Vernon coming off a romp in Trail, it’s the perfect time for the Warriors to steal one in Vernon. Might not be enough in the tank to handle Merritt on Saturday.

Vernon (10-4-0-2) – Vipers’ Head Coach Mark Ferner sent a very vicious message the all on Sunday. The snake is in full strike mode. That 9-0 bite at Trail is going to leave a mark. Wenatchee and West Kelowna visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Two big division games for the Vipers this week give them the opportunity to make an even bigger statement. Winning both is too much to ask.

Trail (10-4-1-0) – Head Coach Cam Keith’s Smoke Eaters were stunned in Sunday’s 9-0 loss at home to Vernon. Can they regroup in time for this week’s battles with Merritt and Penticton? BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Smokies have too many weapons and too much veteran presence to let the 9-0 loss stench linger. They’ll come out blazing this week.

Penticton (9-2-0-1) – Head Coach Fred Harbinson’s Vees picked up their first and second losses of the season over the weekend. The good news is revenge is on the menu when Wenatchee visits tomorrow night. The Vees face Alberni Valley and Trail later in the week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: No one expected them to run the table. Now they’ve got a pair of L’s, and they’ll get back to work.

Wenatchee (9-5-0-1) – Head Coach Bliss Littler and the Wild picked up back-to-back home wins over Surrey and Penticton last week. This week’s run to Penticton and Vernon can be dangerous. Alberni Valley visits this weekend. BCHL INSIDER SAYS:  Moving into the Interior means a steady diet of games like this week brings. The Wild can make a big splash this week, but it’s a tough task.

Salmon Arm (8-7-1-0) – Head Coach Scott Atkinson’s Silverbacks remain just above .500 after going 1-2 over the weekend. The yellow brick road leads to Surrey, Cowichan Valley, and Victoria this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS:  I think they’ll win one of the road games this week. Any guesses which one?

Merritt (5-9-2-0) – Head Coach Joe Martin’s Cents CAN beat just about anyone in the league on any given night. The problem is there is not a dog in this division’s pony show. Winning just one of three games in any week is not going to be good enough either. Trail and West Kelowna visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Merritt’s small rink will help slow down West Kelowna but Trail will have a field day. Cents split.

MAINLAND

Langley (8-3-6-0) – Head Coach Bobby Henderson’s Rivermen can play with any team on the schedule, that’s not the problem; they can lose to any team as well. We have seen both in the last few weeks, so what can be expected from the Rivermen this weekend with visitors from Prince George and Alberni Valley?  BCHL INSIDER SAYS: I have to admit I was wrong last week, and the Rivermen made me eat my words. That said, they’re ripe to get swept this week.

Prince George (7-5-2-3) – Head Coach Adam Maglio’s Spruce Kings are oh for the road trip in five games and the next three at Chilliwack, Langley, and Surrey. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Spruce Kings get back to early season form and take two of three this weekend.

Chilliwack (7-7-1-1) – Just when I think that Head Coach Jason Tatarnic’s Chiefs are back to full strength, they get beat by Langley. Nothing against the Rivermen, but things are crazy for the Chiefs so far this season. Prince George visits Friday before the bus rolls to Victoria and Cowichan Valley to close out the week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Chiefs need to stay sharp, or the Cowichan Valley game at the end of a tough stretch could bite ‘em. PG and Victoria will have the Chiefs tuckered out.

Surrey (6-8-1-1) – Brandon West’s Eagles rebounded from a bad dream at Wenatchee with a nice 5-4 win at Vernon. Salmon Arm and PG visit Friday and Sunday around a quick roadie to Coquitlam Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS:  Like a true .500 team, the Eagles rise and fall. Coming off the rise of a win at Vernon, next comes the fall.

Coquitlam (3-12-1-1) – Barry Wolff’s Express have dropped five straight and host Surrey Saturday in their only game of the week.  BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Surrey has a pretty full slate and will likely overlook the Express this week, as Coquitlam wins their fourth of the year.