The month of February has come and gone. Western Hockey League teams are bearing down on playoff spots, with some jockeying for position still destined to be a big part of the March schedule.
When we last reported, the B.C. Division teams had a slight edge on its U.S. Division counterparts in total wins this season. Those numbers have changed as the U.S. Division has accumulated 173 wins to 170 for B.C. Division teams. Remove the non-playoff teams from the equation (Spokane and Vancouver) and the B.C. Division leads in wins, 151 to 148.
Looking forward, both the U.S. and B.C. Divisions will likely include three 40-win teams when the regular season concludes. But, five wins by the Victoria Royals would make them the fourth B.C-based team to reach the 40-win plateau.
The last time four teams in a division compiled at least 40 wins each was back in 2009-10. That year, Tri-City (47), Everett (46), Spokane (45) and Portland (44) turned the trick.
We’ve tossed in another couple of items this time around – each team’s record when leading after two periods and their records when trailing after 40 minutes. It’s pretty apparent that the four playoff bound teams in the BC Division are great front runners. None seems to be a threat to rally from behind for a victory.
Prince George Cougars (40-19-3-2…85 points)
Games remaining: 8.
Divisional games: 5. (Kelowna: 1; Kamloops: 4.)
Record when leading after two periods: 31-1-2-1
Record when training after two periods: 5-15-0-1
Prince George had a month to forget in many regards as its 4-5-2 record in 11 games allowed both Kamloops and Kelowna to narrow the gap on the division leaders.
The schedule makers unwittingly did the Cats a huge favour, sending the hapless Edmonton Oil Kings to BC’s northern capital at month’s end for a doubleheader. The two wins by Prince George amounted to half of its total victories for the month.
Curiously, the Cougars continue to struggle with the man advantage, ranked 20th in the league in power play proficiency.
On Feb. 24, Ty Edmonds earned his 96th WHL win, establishing a new team record for career victories by a goaltender. The 20-year-old from Winnipeg will attend the University of Lethbridge next season.
With four games remaining against the Blazers, the first three on CN Centre ice in Prince George, a split of those two games should be enough for the Cougars to win the division title.
If Prince George can somehow finish first in the western conference, they would likely meet the Portland Winterhawks in a first round playoff series. However, one wonders how this might rank as a just reward, given the two cities are 1,175 kilometres apart. That’s at least a 13-hour drive, one way. A division crown resulting in a second place finish in the conference would mean a matchup with the Victoria Royals. That’s an 11-hour haul by bus and boat.
Kamloops Blazers (37-21-2-4…80 points)
Games remaining: 8.
Divisional games: 7. (Prince George: 4; Victoria: 2; Vancouver: 1)
Record when leading after two periods: 28-1-1-1
Record when training after two periods: 2-16-0-1
Kamloops managed to put some heat on Prince George. Through February, its 6-4-1-2 record was not outstanding, but good enough for the Blazers move to within one point of the Cougars. A crushing loss at home (8-2) to Kelowna and a road loss in Everett to end the month stalled momentum.
The Blazers will face the Cougars four times in March, only once at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops. Any hopes of a division title will likely require three or four wins over the Cats.
The Blazers possess great team speed and its top-six forward group is among the league’s best when applying pressure in the attacking zone. The roster has enough muscle to dictate or respond to the rough going. The Connor Ingram/Dylan Ferguson tandem is perhaps the league’s best, surrendering 169 goals, the lowest among B.C. Division teams and second overall in the entire WHL.
Kelowna Rockets (37-21-5-0…79 points)
Games remaining: 9.
Divisional games: 6. (Prince George: 1; Victoria: 2; Vancouver: 3)
Record when leading after two periods: 27-1-1
Record when training after two periods: 5-18-3-0
Kelowna was the busiest team in the division with 13 games in February. Its 10-2-1 record combined with an unlikely scoring barrage in the process, has given the entire league pause to take notice. The Rockets outscored their opponents by a whopping 72-34 count in February.
The Rockets are the most penalized team in the WHL, yet they have managed to offset this dubious ranking to some degree with the best power play success among B.C. Division teams. Kelowna is fifth overall in the league with a 24.8% power play efficiency and has yet to surrender a shorthanded goal this season.
Defenceman Cal Foote and forward Kole Lind have steadily risen to first round status in many of the lists published by scouting organizations.
Kelowna, which finally seems healthy enough to ice its entire veteran group, will play seven of nine games in March on home ice, including six in a row.
Victoria Royals (35-23-4-1…75 points)
Games remaining: 9.
Divisional games: 5. (Kamloops: 2; Kelowna: 2; Vancouver: 1)
Record when leading after two periods: 30-1
Record when training after two periods: 0-21-1-1
Victoria was productive in February, going 7-3-1 in 11 games. It has been sometime since they held down third place in the B.C. Division, but the Royals are destined for the post-season.
Throughout the regular season so far, the Royals have been the epitome of a middle of the pack team. The Royals have the 13th best power play (20.1%) in the league and the 10th best penalty kill (70.8%). They are 13th in goal scoring (214), but fourth in goals against (180). Victoria ranks 11th in shootout success.
Despite the less than inspiring statistics, there is always fear that the Royals offensive catalysts are capable of derailing any team in its division. And goaltender Griffen Outhouse has been among the best performers league-wide all season.
Vancouver Giants (19-39-2-3…43 points)
Games remaining: 9.
Divisional games: 5. (Kamloops: 1; Kelowna: 3; Victoria: 1)
Record when leading after two periods: 9-1-2-1
Record when training after two periods: 1-35-0-1
Vancouver is playing out the string, another frustrating campaign for the Giants. It certainly hasn’t helped that the young Giants are playing in a very deep, veteran-laden division.
The Giants will not play a post-season game for the third straight season. Injuries have had an enormous impact on the team’s fortunes this season.
There has been upside this season, as the move from the Pacific Coliseum to the Langley Events Centre has gotten many positive reviews. The organization also pulled the trigger on a few trades near mid-season that are focused on the future.
