Penticton Player to Watch: Forward Mike Reilly
With one Reilly down, another will step up to take his place in the playoffs. The Penticton Vees lost Connor Reilly, its top scorer most of the season, to a knee injury late in the regular season. Luckily they have his brothers Mike and Ryan motivated to win the Fred Page Cup for him. The bigger contributor of the two going into round one should be Mike. The Chanhassen, Minn. native is eighth in the league in scoring with 83 points. Mike proved he'll more than make up for the loss of his brother with a tally of 12 points in his last five games.
Chilliwack Player to Watch: Forward Malcolm Gould
There may not be a hotter player entering the playoffs than Chilliwack Chiefs forward Malcolm Gould. Gould hopped into the top 20 in scoring with an amazing final week where he posted two hat tricks, garnering Player of the Week honours. Gould enters the playoffs after a regular season where he scored 36 goals with 36 assists.
#3 Prince George Spruce Kings (33-21-2-4) vs.
#2 Merritt Centennials (34-18-2-6)
Prince George Player to Watch: Forward Paul De Jersey
Not hard to see why Paul De Jersey should be the focus in the Prince George Spruce Kings' first round matchup with Merritt, every team has focused on the West Vancouver product during his breakout 2012 season. De Jersey boasts the Vern Dye Memorial Trophy for the BCHL's Most Valuable Player as well as the Brett Hull Trophy, awarded to the league's top scorer. Prince George's postseason success likely rests on De Jersey's 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, he has scored at least one point in all of the Spruce Kings' games versus Merritt.
Merritt Player to Watch: Forward Evan Stack
Though he doesn't boast the points or accolades of De Jersey, Evan Stack has had a solid season for the Merritt Centennials and has been a key player in every game versus Prince George. Stack, the Cents captain, scored points in all but two of the Centennials games against the Spruce Kings, including a one goal, three assists outing in a 7-4 win on Nov. 11. Stack was second on the team in scoring posting 61 points in the 2011-12 season.
