DAILY DISH: BCHL REPORT - Junior Hockey News
Published: Tuesday, 5 Dec 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 (17-7-2-2) – The Kings beat Langley 3-2 Friday before getting upended by the Eagles 5-2. Getting just a pair of points from that home weekend certainly falls way below the expectations. This weekend’s roadie to Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley, and Victoria should be more fruitful. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Nanaimo is the only real threat on this trip down the Island. The Kings just got a reminder of what happens when you try to mail one in.
Nanaimo (16-10-3-2) – Head Coach Mike Vandekamp and the Clippers took two of three games at home last week, and gave the Vees fits in the only loss. The Kings visit Friday before Nanaimo hits Victoria Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Clippers are well aware head to head games against PR will likely mean the difference when determining home ice. Vandy’s boys are looking to make a move in the standings before Christmas.
Victoria (14-13-3-1) – Craig Didmon’s Grizzlies have dropped four straight, that’s a concern for any hockey team. It would be all but catastrophic to lose the next game. Victoria visits Cowichan Valley Saturday before hosting the Clippers Sunday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: If the Grizz aren’t careful, they could really lose some valuable ground this weekend. This may just be a .500 team after all.
Alberni Valley (8-16-2-4) – Matt Hughes’ Bulldogs are winless in the last five games and appear to have lost their way. Hughes is not one to throw in the towel before Santa Claus arrives, so look for something to develop here. The bus rolls to Prince George, Chilliwack, and Surrey this weekend. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Hard to imagine that Chilliwack might be the ‘Dogs best chance to win one this weekend, but it might be the truth.
Cowichan Valley (3-22-3-2) – The Caps’ bad luck bubble popped Saturday when Cowichan Valley crushed Mainland Division leading Langley 5-1. Could we see more of the same this week when Victoria and Powell River visit? BCHL INSIDER SAYS: A struggling Victoria team could give the Caps a shot at a win streak of two games, but not likely. Cowichan Valley is close, but consistently not close enough.
INTERIOR
Vernon (21-7-0-4) – Head Coach Mark Ferner’ Vipers continue to find different ways to win hockey games…but the bottom line is simple, they continue to win. Picking up weekend home wins over Trail and Victoria almost takes the sting out of Wednesday’s loss to the Wild. Coquitlam visits tomorrow before the Snakes slither into Salmon Arm Friday. The Vees visit Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: It doesn’t really matter week to week. This team is loaded up and will be ready to go when playoffs start. This is all just a 58-game tuneup.
Penticton (20-5-1-2) – Head Coach Fred Harbinson’s Vees last lost back on November 4th, let that sink in a bit. Salmon Arm and West Kelowna visit this weekend. Good luck with that. INSIDER SAYS: More home games for the Vees means more points and that means tough sledding for the rest of the Interior.
Wenatchee (19-8-2-1) – Head Coach Bliss Littler’s Wild pulled five points from their three-game roadie last week, a grand achievement all things considered. Trail comes to town tomorrow night before the Wild get back on the bus for games at Merritt and Prince George. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Trail has been limping lately but the road games are in buildings that are tough for visiting teams. Add in the travel and the Wild have a full dance card this week.
Trail (19-9-2-0) – Head Coach Cam Keith’s Smokies are on a slide, opponents should not read too much into that. The Smokes are in Wenatchee tomorrow night before going to West Kelowna Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Smokies just need to get back to what got them off to that fast start and take things one game at a time. It feels like they’re trying to get their division lead back all in one night every night and it doesn’t work that way.
West Kelowna (17-13-1-0) – Coach Rylan Ferster’s Warriors’ 4-3 OT win over Wenatchee snapped a three-game slide. The Warriors visit Penticton Friday before Trail comes to Royal LePage Place Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Warriors are dangerous because, like two years ago, they hang around and fly under the radar until they strike.
Merritt (12-13-2-1) – Head Coach Joe Martin has his Cents dialed in. Winners of three-straight, Merritt is more than ready for the visiting Wild Friday night. Salmon Arm comes to town Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Centennials love playing at home and have their eye on getting to .500, but they’ll have to be solid to do it, the Wild don’t give away very many.
Salmon Arm (12-15-3-0) – Head Coach Scott Atkinson’s Silverbacks managed to light the lamp just once in the last two games, an issue that needs to be corrected before tomorrow night’s trip to Penticton. Vernon visits Friday before the Backs return to Merritt on Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: It would hard to draw up a tougher week than this one for Salmon Arm. Expect the offense to wake up, but they’ll have to lock down the back end a lot tighter if they want to steal a win here and there.
MAINLAND
Langley (15-8-9-1) – Head Coach Bobby Henderson’s first place Rivermen are winless in the last four games and that includes an especially embarrassing 5-1 loss at struggling Cowichan Valley. Surrey and Coquitlam visit this week. If the slide extends to six games, heads could roll. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Everyone says there are no nights off in this league but the Riv didn’t believe that memo. Might want to give that another look before they slide right out of first.
Prince George (16-10-2-3) – Head Coach Adam Maglio’s Spruce Kings have had their eye on first place while winning four straight games. Alberni Valley and Wenatchee visit this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Spruce Kings could get tripped up if they spend too much time thinking about Wenatchee because Alberni Valley is coming in hungry.
Surrey (16-12-3-1) – Brandon West’s Eagles continue to pick up points like a vacuum cleaner. With an OTL and two wins last week, Surrey looks like they are for real. The Eagles face a sliding Rivermen at Langley Friday before hosing Alberni Valley Sunday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Eagles certainly don’t lack firepower and are enjoying a pretty good resurgence after last season. This team has a chance to open the postseason at home this year.
Chilliwack (15-13-2-2) – Head Coach Jason Tatarnic’s Chiefs just slipped by visiting Surrey and Coquitlam last week, something that has raised a lot of eyebrows. Chilliwack goes to Coquitlam Friday before hosting Alberni Valley Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: This year’s edition of the Chiefs is a good collection of talent, but have yet to prove they are a “team”. The holiday break may give this team a chance to find itself.
Coquitlam (4-22-1-2) – The Express picked up points in two of three games last week, proving that a coaching change can actually change momentum. Let’s see how it goes in Vernon tomorrow before getting too excited. Chilliwack visits Friday before the Express visit Langley Saturday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: An average team becomes a legitimate threat when they start to believe in themselves. Yes, it’s too early to get carried away but it’s been a positive step for the Express.
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