DAILY DISH: BCHL REPORT - Junior Hockey News
Published: Tuesday, 31 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 (10-4-1-1) – The Kings split the home weekend series with Nanaimo and have a humdinger of a roadie set for this week. How does playing at Wenatchee, Penticton, and Salmon Arm on consecutive nights sound? BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The road can beat a team up in a hurry. The fortunate thing for the Kings is they’ll be playing some skill teams rather than teams that try to beat you up so that should help.
Victoria (10-7-2-0) – Craig Didmon’s Grizzlies have been unsuccessful in two straight games after getting beat by Chilliwack and salmon Arm at home. It won’t get any easier this week with visits from Merritt and Trail. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: An improved showing from the Grizz at home can earn them a split, but even that’s not guaranteed.
Nanaimo (8-9-0-1) – Head Coach Mike Vandekamp’s Clips split at Powell River and remain just a single game under par. Trail comes to the Crane Friday before Nanaimo visits Cowichan Valley on Sunday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: After stealing a W in Powell River, the Clippers remain in the hunt but will most likely remain a game under par for another week.
Alberni Valley (6-9-1-2) – Matt Hughes’ Bulldogs fell in all three road games last week and will have to forget those misfortunes quickly. A Desperate Cowichan Valley club visits tomorrow before Merritt is in on the 4th. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: If this team doesn’t start scoring some goals, it’s going to turn ugly in their barn.
Cowichan Valley (2-13-2-0) – Now that the monkey has been knocked off the backs with the home win over Salmon Arm, the Caps have to stay focused in what’s ahead. With a visit to Alberni Valley set for tomorrow before hosting two games this weekend, now is the time to make a move. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Alberni Valley losing is the only hope the Capitals have of playing in March. Head to head matchups mean four points on the table.
INTERIOR
Vernon (12-4-0-2) – Vipers’ Head Coach Mark Ferner has his team in high gear. Winners in five of their last six games, the snakes are ready for another productive week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: It’ll be a busy one, though. Chilliwack is playing well and three games in four nights will be a grind.
Trail (12-4-1-0) – Head Coach Cam Keith’s Smoke Eaters flushed the embarrassing loss to Vernon with a dose of big wins over Merritt and Penticton. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The game with Wenatchee on Wednesday night will be exhausting, and the reward is waking up Thursday and heading to the island for three games in three days. This week will be a huge test. I expect them to get 5 of 8 points.
Wenatchee (11-6-0-1) – Head Coach Bliss Littler and the Wild took two of the three games played last week. Tomorrow night’s run up to Trail should be eventful. Powell River visits on the 3rd. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Two tough games for the Wild against teams with great records. With a day off in between games and finishing at home, the Wild should grab at least two points.
Penticton (10-3-1-1) – Head Coach Fred Harbinson’s Vees uncharacteristically lost two of their three games last week and will try to get back on track this week against West Kelowna and Powell River. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: There was a time when just putting on a Vees sweater meant two points a night like clockwork. The rest of the league is catching up. West Kelowna is just as fast, and Powell River is just as tough.
West Kelowna (11-7-0-0) – Coach Rylan Ferster’s Warriors went from leading the division last week to finding themselves in the fifth spot today. That’s life in the Interior Division. This week’s match-ups with Penticton and Vernon won’t be walks in the park. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Warriors are much improved but still need to learn how to close out tough games. This weekend will give them a perfect chance to see where they stand.
Salmon Arm (9-8-2-0) – Head Coach Scott Atkinson’s Silverbacks don’t have an excuse for overlooking Cowichan Valley and simply HAD to redeem themselves with the overtime win at Victoria. Salmon Arm visits Vernon Friday before hosting Powell River Sunday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The S-Backs are hoping Powell River is run ragged by the time they show up at the Shaw Centre or it’ll be a long weekend in Salmon Arm.
Merritt (6-10-2-0) – Head Coach Joe Martin’s Cents got a solid home win Sunday over West Kelowna and will try to carry that momentum into this week with games at Victoria, Alberni Valley, and Surrey. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Cents will win one. Which one? I’m guessing Alberni Valley.
MAINLAND
Langley (10-3-6-0) – Head Coach Bobby Henderson’s Rivermen have now won five straight and appear to be on a mission. This week’s trip to Prince George should be a good indicator. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: If this team hadn’t blown 6 overtime games, their record would be ridiculous. Expect a war this weekend.
Prince George (8-7-2-3) – Head Coach Adam Maglio’s Spruce Kings are still sitting in second place despite getting just a single win in their last eight games… all of which were on the road. Langley visits this weekend. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Home sweet home and the Spruce Kings should have the upper hand but Langley will make them work for it.
Chilliwack (9-8-1-1) – Head Coach Jason Tatarnic’s Chiefs were shutout at home Friday before winning a pair of games on the road. Vernon comes to town tomorrow before the Chiefs go to Surrey Friday and then will host Coquitlam on Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Vernon game will feel like a playoff game, the Surrey game may be high-scoring and Coquitlam will push the Chiefs to the brink.
Surrey (9-8-1-1) – Brandon West’s Eagles are up and over the elusive .500 mark on the heels of four straight wins. Chilliwack and Merritt will try to put a stop to that this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Surrey is good enough to yank two points out of this schedule.
Coquitlam (3-13-1-1) – Barry Wolff’s Express are losers in five straight games since beating Langley October 13. Something has to buck that trend but I’m afraid it won’t be on Saturday night when they visit Chilliwack. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Chilliwack is getting stronger but overlooking the Express is a bad idea. Chilliwack might be counting this egg as hatched.
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