Almost Like Playoffs The two biggest weekends this season for the Victoria Grizzlies and Nanaimo Clippers are November 21/22nd and November 28/29th. On those dates, the two island rivals will play four consecutive games with first place in the division quite likely hanging in the balance. Victoria enters the set with a five-point lead, however […]
Going to the Dogs? The BCHL season in Port Alberni is not going to the dogs. That seems to be the message after a change in the General Manager's chair. I talked to the Voice of the Bulldogs Evan Hammond this week (who is quite possibly the best Junior A play by play man in […]
Thank Goodness That’s Over. (and the rest of the division!) The Victoria Grizzlies are finally back from their Interior road trip. They lost three in regulation and one in overtime against what was, at the time, the best four teams in the Interior Conference. Salmon Arm, Penticton, Trail and Vernon were also well over 20 […]
A Look Around the IslandA look at the Alberni Valley Bulldogs shows a team in transition. You can determine for yourself if this team is any better in October than it was in the beginning of the year, but it’s certainly different. I would not have predicted the team to have only 6 points so […]
Three in Three Each of the last three weekends I’ve watched a hockey game with one team playing their third game in three nights or their fourth game in four. The home team has won all of those contests, so it got me thinking: Is it possible to win on the road in that situation? […]
SeptemberAt the end of September the separation has already begun in the Island Division. The Victoria Grizzlies are proving to be the class of the division and their record after one month was seven and two. That includes a 5-1 record versus division opponents with only loss being to second place Nanaimo.At the other end of […]
What a Night for Alumni! I got a text message on Monday asking me if I saw former Nanaimo Clipper Byron Bitz get into a fight in an NHL preseason game. As I was watching the highlights of that game between Boston and Montreal it got me thinking just how many BCHL alumni are playing […]
Rivalries Being around the BCHL for a while now I’ve been able to enjoy first hand some of the rivalries. In the Interior the Penticton/Vernon rivalry has been going since the 1960’s. Even in the years when they aren’t close in the standings it’s still special.During the 2004 playoffs I was able to work the […]
Out of the GateIf it’s possible to set a tone for a season in the first few games, then September’s scheduling is critical. With the expected parity in the Island Division, whichever team has the best start could ride that wave for a while.Alberni Valley has seven games in the month of September including four […]
Friday, September 5th – Lots to Like on the IslandThe Island Division is shaping up to be highly competitive this season. Nanaimo comes in as the defending regular season champions, Victoria is gearing up to host the RBC Royal Bank Cup, Cowichan has a largely veteran line up and Alberni Valley should be on the […]
