By Ryan Pinder /
Vernon Vipers
It’s been pretty smooth sailing in Vernon this season, or at least it was until Dec. 4. In one night, the league-leading Vipers lost to Penticton at home for a second consecutive time, and saw F - Kellen Jones (‘90) injured after taking a puck to the face. A broken jaw will likely keep one half of the twins out of the line-up until February. Mark Ferner would love to see a speedy recovery for Kellen and some home success against the Vees in 2010.
Penticton Vees
The Vees stood pat at the Dec. 1 deadline and are preaching patience in their search for another two players to fill their roster with. The Vees have handed the Vipers both of their regulation loses this season. In fact, the Vees had earned five of six points against the defending national champs heading into a massive tilt on Dec. 12 in Penticton. Fred Harbinson is hoping for a speedy recovery of defender Bo Dolan (‘90) from a lower body injury for the New Year. Captain Denver Manderson is second in league-scoring with 22 goals and 69 points through 33 games.
Westside Warriors
Three November wins over Penticton and Vernon have the Westside Warriors believing they can hang with the top dogs in the Interior. Brendan Ellis (‘89) leads all BCHL defenders in scoring with 35 points in 34 games and will play with the Merrimack Warriors (NCAA – Hockey East) next year. F - Greyson Downing (‘92) participated in the World Junior A Challenge with Team Canada West and also attended the CJHL Prospects Game.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
The Silverbacks finally got a win against a top team in the Interior after shellacking the Vees on Dec. 5. The acquisition of Matt Ridley (‘90) has given the ‘backs a minute-munching rearguard who oozes skill. Silverbacks GM Rylan Ferster is hoping he’ll stay healthy down the stretch. Ridley hasn’t finished his last two seasons of hockey. Up front, David Killip (‘91) and Mark Zengerle (‘89) are poised to both finish in the top 10 in BCHL scoring. D - Jagger Dirk (‘93) has left for the Kootenay Ice (WHL).
Prince George Spruce Kings
The season-long home woes have continued in Prince George. With 19 of 30 home games already played, the Spruce Kings fans have had just five wins to celebrate. That said, Ed Dempsey’s club is in the driver’s seat of the “Interior B Division” as he called it in late November, but a ton of road games remain. F - Marcus Watson (89) and D - Brendan Nadolny (‘90) were added to bolster the Spruce Kings roster prior to the Dec. 1 deadline.
Quesnel Millionaires
Since 18-year-old netminder Kirby Halcrow (‘91) returned from the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in PEI, his numbers have ballooned. In a six-game stretch from late November to early December, Halcrow allowed 40 goals. Head coach & GM Glen Watson would love a pre-WJAC Halcrow for the holiday season and beyond. Newcomers F - Jacob Verheyden (‘89), F - Joshua Desmarais (‘89), and F - Clayton Chessa (‘91) are all over a point-per-game since arriving in Quesnel.
Trail Smoke Eaters
The Smokies added defender Cutis Tonello prior to the Dec. 1 deadline for F - Tye Lewis (‘89) in a deal that looks to have added depth. With F -Sam Mellor (‘92), F - Nick Sandor (‘89) and F- Travis St. Denis (‘92) contributing offensively, Lewis became expendable. Head coach and GM Jim Ingram is hoping for more consistent goaltending. F - Michael Betz (‘92) has been the Smokies best player since arriving from Spokane.
Merritt Centennials
All the Cents want for Christmas is win on the road. Sixteen road games into the year, the Cents were still hunting for their first triumph outside the friendly confines of the Nicola Valley Arena (10-7-0-1 at home). A road trip through the Cariboo (Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Prince George) provided three one-goal loses, one of which came in overtime.
Williams Lake Timberwolves
The T-wolves have had four different coaching arrangements in the 2009 calendar year. A New Year’s resolution for the Northern Club might be to stick with the same bench boss in 2010. Right now, Jason Wright (a former BCHLer himself) has the reigns of the team—his dad is part owner John Wright. The T-wolves have averaged 649 fans in their first year back in the BCHL and are a respectable (7-11-0-0) on home ice. |