B.C. Division Update

The month of January is coming to an end and three of five B.C. Division teams find themselves with a mini-break as each team is off until the weekend.

The Kelowna Rockets and Vancouver Giants will each play a weekday game, the Rockets in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes and the Giants will host the Spokane Chiefs on Wednesday.

January is a month of transition. Players return from the annual World Junior Championship, the trade deadline (Jan. 10) comes and goes, Central Scouting announces its mid-season rankings and then the Top Prospects Game takes place.

The whirlwind of activity can certainly have an impact on the performance of certain players and teams. While elite players are away from their club teams, youngsters can step up and demonstrate they provide value. Some good play can elevate the confidence a coaching staff might show in these depth players as the post-season approaches.

In the B.C. Division standings, Kelowna has been able to fend off both Victoria and Vancouver so far, but this has clearly become a three-horse race. At stake for the division winner is the opportunity to play host to one of the wild-card teams in the first round of the post-season.

Let’s have a look at some numbers, through Jan. 22, 2018:

Kelowna Rockets (29-14-2-1…61; 1st BC Div.; 2nd Western Conf.)

Games remaining: 26.

January: 4. February: 14 . March: 8.

Home: 15  Away: 11

Divisional games: 15
Prince George: 4 (2H; 2A); Victoria: 3 (1H; 2A); Kamloops: 4 (2H; 2A); Vancouver: 4 (3H; 1A).

Home record: 17-4-0-1.  Away Record:  12-10-2.

Power Play Efficiency: 6th overall
56-for-207 (27.1%)
Shorthanded Goals Against: 5

Penalty Killing: 15th overall
163-for-211 (77.2%)
Shorthanded Goals For: 11

Leading After 1st: 16-1-0-1.  Leading After 2nd: 23-1-0-1.

Trailing After 1st: 6-8-2.  Training After 2nd: 1-12-2.

When Outshooting Opponent: 16-8-0-1.  When Outshot: 10-6-2.

1-Goal Games: 9-3-2-1

Goals For: 185.  Goals Against: 159.

Home attendance (Prospera Place: 6,007 capacity): 111,430 in 22 games (5,065)

The Rockets were one of the top teams in the WHL at the trade deadline and the organization chose to keep its roster intact.

The reality for the Rockets is the team played without Dillon Dube and Cal Foote for about a month, a time frame that included the scheduled break for Christmas. Once Dube and Foote had a chance to relax after their gold medal winning effort at the World Juniors, the Rockets basically welcomed two elite players back into the lineup.

Of chief concern at this point is the goaltending situation. James Porter (UBI) and Roman Basran (LBI) have been sidelined of late. The current tandem includes Brodan Salmond, who recently returned from a lengthy stint on the shelf with a knee injury, and 15-year-old newcomer Cole Tisdale. Porter, 17, would appear to have taken over as the number one netminder.

The Rockets are currently the fourth highest scoring team in the WHL.

 

Victoria Royals (27-17-3-1…58 points: 2nd BC Div.; 4th Western Conf.)

Games remaining: 24

January: 4.  February: 12.  March: 8.

Home: 15  Away: 9

Divisional games: 10
Prince George: 4 (2H; 2A); Kamloops: 1A; Kelowna: 3 (2H; 1A); Vancouver: 2 (1H; 1A)

Home record: 15-5-1.  Away Record:  12-12-2-1.

Power Play Efficiency: 9th overall
58-for-258 (23.4%)
Shorthanded Goals Against: 7

Penalty Killing: 21st overall
157-for-215 (73.0%)
Shorthanded Goals For: 11

Leading After 1st: 12-2-1.  Leading After 2nd: 19-2-1.

Trailing After 1st: 8-7-2.  Training After 2nd: 4-12-1-1.

When Outshooting Opponent: 9-4-0-1.  When Outshot: 18-13-3.

1-Goal Games: 13-2-3-1

Goals For: 200.  Goals Against: 174.

Home attendance (Save On Foods Memorial Arena: 7,006 capacity): 108,533 in 21 games (5,168)

Victoria’s roster has undergone a number of changes through trades this season. With the trade deadline in its rear view mirror, the Royals can now focus on using the last third of the regular season schedule to build chemistry and momentum.

Noah Gregor (Moose Jaw Warriors), Tanner Kaspick (Brandon Wheat Kings) and Lane Zablocki (Lethbridge Hurricanes) have arrived from the eastern conference and should be getting acclimated to life on Vancouver Island by now. When 20-year-old veteran defenceman Kade Jensen returns from suspension, the blueline depth will be enhanced. Rearguard Chaz Reddekopp, also 20, is out for about another month.

The Royals are currently the second highest scoring team in the WHL, behind only the Warriors.

 

Vancouver Giants (25-15-4-3…57 points: 3rd BC Div.; 5th Western Conf.)

Games remaining: 25

January: 3.  February: 12.  March: 10.

Home: 13  Away: 12

Divisional games: 10
Prince George: 0; Kamloops: 4 (2H; 2A); Kelowna: 4 (1H; 3A); Victoria: 2 (1H; 1A).

Home record: 13-8-1-1.  Away Record:  12-7-3-2.

Power Play Efficiency: 10th overall
38-for-169 (22.5%)
Shorthanded Goals Against: 11

Penalty Killing: 12th overall
145-for-187 (77.5%)
Shorthanded Goals For: 4

Leading After 1st: 10-2-2.  Leading After 2nd: 18-0-1.

Trailing After 1st: 4-8-1.  Training After 2nd: 2-12-1-1.

When Outshooting Opponent: 10-9-1-3.  When Outshot: 13-6-3.

1-Goal Games: 10-7-4-3

Goals For: 167. Goals Against: 166.

Home attendance (Langley Events Centre: 5,276 capacity): 78,024 in 23 games (3,392)

Vancouver is perhaps the surprise team in the entire league this season, hanging in with Kelowna and Victoria so far. The Giants have a legitimate shot at winning the BC Division title.

Ty Ronning, 20, has been outstanding so far with 42 goals in 47 games. A healthy Tyler Benson has also made a difference, cruising along at better than a point-per-game scoring pace. When defenceman Darian Skeoch and import forward Milos Roman return from their respective injuries, this tenacious group will find itself preparing for a playoff berth. Vancouver has not qualified for the post-season since the spring of 2014.

 

Kamloops Blazers (21-23-1-2…45 points: 4th BC Div.; 9th Western Conf.)

Games remaining: 25

January: 4.  February: 14.  March: 7.

Home: 13  Away: 12

Divisional games: 14
Prince George: 5 (2H; 3A); Victoria: 1H; Kelowna: 4 (2H; 2A); Vancouver: 4 (2H; 2A).

Home record: 9-13-1.  Away Record:  12-10-0-2.

Power Play Efficiency: 14th overall
37-for-181 (20.4%)
Shorthanded Goals Against: 3

Penalty Killing: 2nd overall
167-for-207 (80.7%)
Shorthanded Goals For: 3

Leading After 1st: 12-1-1.  Leading After 2nd: 16-0-1-1.

Trailing After 1st: 4-18-0.  Training After 2nd: 0-20-0-1.

When Outshooting Opponent: 12-13-1-2.  When Outshot: 9-10.

1-Goal Games: 9-7-1-2

Goals For: 140.  Goals Against: 154.

Home attendance (Sandman Centre: 5,464 capacity): 87,037 in 23 games (3,784)

With the departure of forward Garrett Pilon and import defenceman Ondrej Vala to the Everett Silvertips at the trade deadline, the Blazers clearly have turned their focus to the future. Goaltender Dylan Ferguson has been a refreshing story this season, including his NHL odyssey through November and December.

There are building blocks in place, with forwards Connor Zary and Brodi Stuart, along with Luke Zazula on the back end. Feisty veteran forward Jermaine Loewen is having a career season and appears confident and capable of standing on guard for the Blazers.

Another fascinating story in Kamloops this season is head coach Don Hay, who will soon pass Ken Hodge for the all-time career coaching wins record. Hodge won 742 games for the Portland Winterhawks. Hay’s next victory will be #742. Coincidentally, the Blazers next three games are against the Winterhawks, the first two in Kamloops.

 

Prince George Cougars (18-23-4-3…43 points: 5th BC Div.; 10th Western Conf.)

Games remaining: 24

January: 4. February: 11. March: 9.

Home: 10  Away: 14

Divisional games: 13
Kelowna: 4 (2H; 2A); Victoria: 4 (2H; 2A); Kamloops: 5 (3H; 2A); Vancouver: 0.

Home record: 10-12-3-1.  Away Record:  8-11-1-2.

Power Play Efficiency: 20th overall
35-for-205 (17.1%)
Shorthanded Goals Against: 9

Penalty Killing: 5th overall
169-for-212 (79.7%)
Shorthanded Goals For: 10

Leading After 1st: 12-2-2-1.  Leading After 2nd: 13-3-2-1.

Trailing After 1st: 3-14-1-2.  Training After 2nd: 2-17-2.

When Outshooting Opponent: 7-8-3-1.  When Outshot: 9-13-1-2.

1-Goal Games: 8-2-4-3

Goals For: 150.  Goals Against: 185.

Home attendance (CN Centre: 5,971 capacity): 78,182 in 26 games (3,007)

Prince George moved a number of veteran players leading up to the trade deadline and has established a solid stockpile of draft picks and young players. Moving forward, the key will be to make the kinds of acquisitions that both bolster the roster and continue to build interest among the Cougars faithful.