DAILY DISH: BCHL RANKINGS, REPORT Canadian Junior Hockey News
Published: Tuesday, 20 Feb 2018
By: Stephen Heisler, JuniorHockey.com
The BCHL Report is a weekly look at Canada’s British Columbia Hockey League.
Our final Report/Rankings of the regular season will also include the final Insider as well. We will resume BCHL coverage next week with the Playoff Update.
Now for the disclosure… the following is my opinion and not written under the influence of anything or anybody. The BCHL Insider is just that; a coach or employee with incredible insight into the league.
The actual grade scale is based on winning percentage and nothing else. That scale has been established for four seasons.
GRADE “A”
#1 Penticton (38-12-2-3 / .736) – I’m not going to get too excited about meaningless games to close out the season. Losing at Langley means much more to the Riv then it did the Vees. Penticton closes the season with a pair of games with Salmon Arm and a visit from Wenatchee. INSIDER SAYS: The Vees only need 3 of the possible 6 points to cinch the top overall spot. They’ll have to work for it but it’ll get done.
GRADE “B”
#2 Vernon (37-14-1-4 / .705) – The Vipers’ trip out to the Island was enjoyable enough. Wenatchee and Trail visit Kal Tire Place to close out the regular season. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Two huge games for the Snakes and playing them at home is a huge help. Only one of the opponents has something to play for, and that matchup will be a great one.
#3 Wenatchee (36-14-4-1 / .700) – I like the way Wild head coach Bliss Littler is able to keep his boys focused. With a consistent 3400+ in the building, it’s always important that the boys put on a good show. The Wild are in West Kelowna, Vernon, and Penticton this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Can’t bite off a much bigger chunk than that, but if the Wild can handle it, second or even first is in reach.
#4 Powell River (29-16-6-4 / .618) – The Kings are riding a seven-game winning streak into the final week of the season. Closing with a ten-game streak is a real possibility. That would be the prime example of going into the playoffs in nearly perfect form. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: A lot of people predicted the Kings to win the division, and the way they’re playing now is what we all envisioned.
#5 Prince George (30-17-4-4 / .618) – This group managed to lose at both Surrey and Coquitlam last week and nobody really cares. PG plays a pair at Chilliwack before playing the last game at Langley. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: No matter what happens from here on out, the Spruce Kings can measure for a spot to hang their banner, so this year is an automatic success.
#6 Trail (31-19-4-1 / .609) – Head Coach Cam Keith gets it; just keep the boys healthy before the real fun begins. The Smokies close it with games at Merritt and Vernon with the final home game with Salmon Arm. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Between proven veterans and a high end rookie class, this team is one no one wants to see in the playoffs. They have what a lot of teams lack, and that’s depth.
#7 Victoria (30-18-4-4 / .607) – The Grizz took one of three during their Interior trip. Nothing to see here, move along. Alberni Valley and Surrey visit the Q this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Alberni Valley will curl up on the porch but Surrey may swoop in looking to prove a point. Expect a #2 finish.
GRADE “C”
#8 Nanaimo (30-20-3-3 / .589) – Like the Kings, the Clippers are on a tear of their own. Winners in eight straight, Nanaimo would love to make it ten after a pair of homes games at Frank Crane this weekend against Chilliwack and Surrey. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Nice late push, but too much ground had already been lost. Either way, at 2nd or 3rd they’ll see Victoria in Round 1.
#9 Langley (24-19-10-2 / .545) – For the good folks in Langley, beating the Vees is always going to be a big deal. Can they carry that momentum into this weekend and beyond? That remains to be seen. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Rivermen have overachieved all year, and might just have enough going for them to win a playoff series. But not two.
#10 Chilliwack (26-23-3-3 / .527) – I’m thinking that the Chiefs are looking forward to this weekend. Getting clobbered at Powell River could not have been too much fun and there is a real chance something similar could happen at Nanaimo tomorrow night. PG visits Prospera Centre this week for a pair. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: If the Chiefs get trounced by PG, that may well mean they face each other in the first round of the playoffs. Excellent chance for a dress rehearsal.
#11 Surrey (25-22-6-2 / .527) – I’ll say this for the Eagles, I’m pleasantly surprised that they have been able to buy into Brandon West’s way of thinking and find success. Are they the dominant Eagles of the past? Not yet, but are certainly on the way back. The bus stops in Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley, and Victoria this week. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The message is take it one game at a time. Can’t win all three in one day. Two of the three opponents are fighting for a banner. Better be ready.
#12 West Kelowna (27-26-1-1 / .509) – WK is so close to being able to finish the season with a winning record. Doing so would be a nice way to go into the playoffs. Wenatchee visits tomorrow before the Warriors see Merritt and Salmon Arm. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: The Warriors most likely will finish in fifth and that means an opening round series with Trail. West K can get feisty but they’ll be better served to stay calm and healthy and with a full, unsuspended lineup for next week.
GRADE “D”
#13 Salmon Arm (23-26-3-1 / .472) – It would take all but a miracle for the Silverbacks to get back to .500 before the end of the season after getting shutout in their last two games. The Vees visit tomorrow before going back to Trail on Friday. West Kelowna visits Saturday before the bus rolls to Penticton for Sunday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: At the rate things are going, the ‘Backs are destined to slide to seventh as the Cents roar past. Like West Kelowna, their best bet is stay healthy and ready for the postseason and hope to catch someone napping.
#14 Merritt (22-26-4-2 / .463) – The Cents can’t get back to .500, but are already into playoff hockey mode while unbeaten in their last four games. If that trend can continue through this weekend (vs Trail, WK, and Langley), Merritt will be the last team anybody wants to face in the opening round. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: This team has a lot of guys who took Penticton to 7 games last year after sweeping the first round, and this is the time of year they like to shine, so look out!
#15 Alberni Valley (15-31-5-4 / .355) – The Bulldogs have tallied only three goals in the last four games, all losses. Alberni Valley is at Victoria early this week before hosting Powell River twice to close the season. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: As predicted early in the year, if the Bulldogs didn’t get off to a fast start, they would end up going right back into being the same ol’ Bulldogs.
GRADE “F”
#16 Coquitlam (15-38-1-3 / .298) – The Express are a game away from the end of the regular season and a new lease on life in the playoffs. Langley visits Friday. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Their strength is their newfound confidence. Their weakness is the fact they just don’t have quite enough to go very far. If they win a playoff game, it’ll be a huge plus for them to grow on next season.
#17 Cowichan Valley (9-40-5-2 / .223) – The Capitals have not won since January 17 (6-2 over Alberni Valley), a stretch of eleven games. Getting a win against Powell River or Surrey this weekend would be a nice cap on an otherwise dismal season. BCHL INSIDER SAYS: Yup. Sure would. (cues up Aerosmith’s “Dream On” and skates off into the sunset).
SCALE: A 725+, B 600-724, C 475-599, D 350-474, F 0-349
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