By Ryan Pinder /
Unlike it’s Coastal counterpart, the Interior Conference has developed some distinct layers in the standings. Each team can be filed under one of three descriptions: ‘heavyweight’, ‘contender’, or ‘long shot.’
The two heavyweights could be the top two teams in Canada, and will fight it out for home ice in the playoffs. The two contenders look to be locks for home ice in the first round but are likely a blockbuster deal away from heavyweight status, while the five long shots are all under .500, and two will miss the playoffs.
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Vernon Vipers
The Jones twins (‘90) were stellar at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge for Team Canada West. Connor and Kellen combined for seven goals and sixteen points in five games and have silver medals for their efforts. Meanwhile back in the Valley, Blake Voth (‘91) and Graeme Gordon (‘89) continue posting gaudy numbers in net for the Vipers. The Vipers are on pace to shatter the BCHL records for wins (52) and points in a season (108). This team is sound.
Penticton Vees
With the Vees missing three players to the World Junior A Challenge, and Bruins draft pick F – Ben Sexton (‘91) out of the lineup due to injury, the club still managed to take a full eight points over four games. Backup G – Joel Rumpel (‘91) excelled over the stretch while newly acquired forwards Jake Johnson (‘89) and Taylor Peters (‘92) have added depth up front. Bo Dolan (‘90) has emerged as one of the Vees top defenders and this club believes they can catch Vernon.
CONTENDERS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Mark Zengerle (‘89) seems too good for Junior ‘A’ hockey. The Rochester, NY forward has been piling up points in a season when many thought he would be playing with the Wisconcin Badgers. Zengerle is on pace to surpass his 2008/09 total of 93 points by 42. Also impressing in Salmon Arm is 16-year-old D – Jagger Dirk (‘93), who has been contributing offensively with 15 Points in his first 24 games. G – Tony Ierfino’s (89) numbers are down from last year as a backup.
Westside Warriors
The Westside Warriors have overcome enough issues to last a season. The club played without four of their best forwards for a better part of two weeks, but managed to tread water. Cam Reid (‘91) and Greyson Downing (‘92) won silver medals with Team Canada West. Scott MacDonald (‘91) has been recalled to the Everett Silvertips and is likely gone for the season. And to top that off, heart and soul leader Trevor Bailey (‘89) missed time with injury. Clearer sailing is surely ahead.
LONG SHOTS
Merritt Centennials
There has been all sorts of news in Canada about hockey teams jumping the line for flu shots. The Merritt Centennials were certainly not one of those teams. In fact, the Cents had 17 players see the doctor for flu-like symptoms in late October, and were forced to play with a short bench for a busy stretch of four games in six days. Through it all, the Cents are still in the thick of the playoff race for the first time since the 2006/07 season.
Prince George Spruce Kings
Home woes have plagued the Spruce Kings in their quest to dominate their Caribou foes. In their first 14 games at the Coliseum, Eddy Dempsey’s crew had just three wins. D – Wes McLeod (‘90) was named a tournament all-star at the World Jr. ‘A’ Challenge and will be leaned upon to spark a club that has lots of hockey on the road ahead. Goaltending is an issue again since the cross-town Cougars nabbed G – Alex Wright (‘90).
Quesnel Millionaires
With an eye for adding offence, the Mills moved the rights to D – James Bettauer (‘91) for Burnaby’s leading scorer F – Jon Puskar (‘89). It’s a shame the Michigan product isn’t reporting, since he seems like the ingredient that could vastly improve the Mills. Already stout defensively with G – Kirby Halcrow (‘91) off his WJAC experience, the Mills have struggled to score goals. Bettauer himself had refused to report since being acquired, and new HC/GM Glen Watson understands how hard it is to win in Quesnel.
Trail Smoke Eaters
It’s been a very tough start to the season in the Kootenays, but the schedule has been a factor for the road weary Smokies. Of their first 29 games the Smokies have just nine at home. That’s a big deal when your shortest bus trip is four hours. If the Smokies can tread water until late November, they have the opportunity to get hot with ten of eleven at home. Netminders Kiefer Smiley (‘90) and Garrett Beckwith (‘90) are still a platoon.
Williams Lake Timberwolves
Just 20 games into their rebirth, the T-wolves fired head coach Dave Dupas. Why? Will the third new coach this year be the answer? Likely not. A roster comprised of older Junior B players was just four points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand when Dupas was canned without public explanation. The brass that assembled a team of mostly unwanted parts, and publicly stated their playoff intentions, clearly don’t own any mirrors. Part owner John Wright is now behind the bench. |