DAILY DISH: BCHL REPORT - Junior Hockey News
Published: Tuesday, 14 Nov 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 (12-5-2-2) – Head Coach Kent Lewis’ Kings are sitting pretty atop the Island Division thanks to that double overtime win over Cowichan Valley. Victoria visits this week in what should be one of the best match-ups from the world of junior hockey. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Kings have shown they’re human lately but still have the ability to do some damage. The matchup with Victoria will serve to make a statement.
Victoria (12-8-3-0) – Craig Didmon’s Grizzlies look to be back on track after losing four in a row at home. That Saturday night barnburner win over Powell River is going to leave a mark. Speaking of the Kings, the Griz visit the Hap Parker this weekend. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: There may have been something in the soup that had the Griz reeling, but they’ve got their legs back under them and feel they need to make up for lost ground.
Nanaimo (12-9-1-1) – Head Coach Mike Vandekamp and the Clips are winners in four straight and will have their work cut out for them this weekend if they are to continue the streak. Nanaimo hits Prince George, Chilliwack, and Langley on consecutive nights starting Friday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: All three of these Mainland opponents are playing well, and jockeying for position. The Clippers have newfound energy and will be a tough out every night.
Alberni Valley (7-10-2-3) – Matt Hughes’ Bulldogs need to show a little teeth before things get really out of hand. The next six games are all on the road beginning with visits to Trail, Merritt, and Coquitlam this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The ‘Dogs will continue to bark but don’t have enough bite to keep up with the top three in this division. They’re in trouble in Trail and Merritt, but will probably squeeze out a 1-goal win over the Express.
Cowichan Valley (2-16-3-1) – The Caps have looked very good in the last three games and could be a problem for Salmon Arm, Penticton, and Chilliwack this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Give the Caps credit, they refuse to lie down. However, two points out these three games is an ambitious goal.
INTERIOR
Trail (17-5-1-0) – Not sure if it’s true or not, but I’m hearing that Smoke Eaters’ Head Coach Cam Keith is having a hard time buying his own lunch in Trail. That could be an embarrassing problem but understandable considering the community’s love for the team and game. Alberni Valley visits Friday before the Smokies hit the trail to Salmon Arm. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Smokies are making things happen, but in their own division there are a lot of “anything can happen” games. Probably not so with Alberni Valley. Trail likely stays atop the division this week.
Vernon (15-5-0-4) – Vipers’ Head Coach Mark Ferner has to hate all things Penticton. Enough is enough already, this was supposed to be the Vipers’ year to get the best of the Vees. The Warriors visit tomorrow before the snakes go to Merritt on the 17th. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Vipers have got the pieces to be successful when it matters, so they’re not terribly concerned. As long as they stay healthy, they pose a problem for everyone.
West Kelowna (14-9-0-0) – Coach Rylan Ferster’s Warriors rebounded from the big loss at Wenatchee with a well-timed 4-3 win over Prince George at home. Tomorrow’s trip to Vernon starts a hectic week that has the Warriors hosting the Vees Friday before the long trek to Prince George for Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: It helped having a day off before facing the Spruce Kings. Prince George will be ready when they arrive Saturday, and Penticton is driven to start moving up in the standings.
Wenatchee (13-7-0-1) – Head Coach Bliss Littler and the Wild took care of business at home against West Kelowna and Prince George last week. The boys hit the road again with games scheduled at Coquitlam (11/17), Langley (11/18) and Surrey (11/19). BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Wild made mincemeat out of these Mainland Division clubs last year, but Langley and Surrey are much improved. There’s no room for lack of focus or they’ll be headed home disappointed.
Penticton (11-5-1-2) – Head Coach Fred Harbinson’s Vees picked up valuable points in both games over the weekend. Surrey and Cowichan Valley visit tomorrow and Saturday. The Vees visit West Kelowna on Friday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Depending which Vees team shows up, they should have a chance to win each night. Surrey and West Kelowna are both capable of making them pay if they don’t come ready to play.
Salmon Arm (8-11-2-1) – Head Coach Scott Atkinson’s Silverbacks beat Merritt and lost to both West Kelowna and Trail last week. No, winning just a third of the games is not going to cut it; regardless of all that, this is a good hockey team in the making. Cowichan Valley and Trail visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The ‘Backs should handle the Caps, but will need to suffocate Trail, and that’s easier said than done.
Merritt (8-11-2-1) – Head Coach Joe Martin’s Cents CAN play with anyone on the schedule, the issue is that the schedule is about as rough as it gets. With no dogs in the Interior Division pony show, it means there are no nights off for the Cents. Vernon and Alberni Valley visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Merritt is better than they were last year, but so is just about everyone else. Home ice counts big for the Cents, and if they use it, could come out of the weekend with four points.
MAINLAND
Langley (11-4-9-0) – Head Coach Bobby Henderson’s Rivermen picked up points in two of the three games last week. Coquitlam, Wenatchee, and Nanaimo visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Rivermen get a sampler platter this week with an opponent from each division. Three game weeks are hard, even when they’re home. They’ll take 2 of the 3.
Chilliwack (12-9-2-2) – Head Coach Jason Tatarnic’s Chiefs took just one of three games last week against Langley and Surrey. Chilliwack is at Surrey Friday before hosting Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Chilliwack has been struggling to figure out who they are and it’s been a rollercoaster. Was supposed to be an easy year, loaded for the RBC run. Hasn’t been that easy.
Surrey (12-9-2-1) – Brandon West’s Eagles just keep winning, what’s not to love about that? If they take the next three games, I’ll be really impressed. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Eagles have some potent weapons but a tough schedule this week. The real test will be seeing how their defense performs.
Prince George (11-9-2-3) – Head Coach Adam Maglio’s Spruce Kings won at Trail Friday before getting worn down at Wenatchee and West Kelowna. Nanaimo and West Kelowna visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Home sweet home for the Spruce Kings, and they’ll be ready to sink their teeth into their road weary guests.
Coquitlam (3-16-1-1) – We could go on and on about how close Barry Wolff’s Express team is when it comes to competitiveness. That just a nice way of saying they are not winning, and have not won for a long time. Barry is a good coach, and much better than the last few seasons of results indicate, so what gives? He needs help and can’t do it all on his own. The Express visit Langley on the 16th before hosting Wenatchee and Alberni Valley later in week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The fact that he keeps his players interested and motivated through a dismal season is a testament to how good a coach he is. Expect a low scoring overtime game vs Alberni Valley.
No comments:
Post a Comment