The month of January has passed and most WHL teams have at less than 20 regular season games remaining.
January is often a transitional month, in that the World Junior Championship, trade deadline and Top Prospects Game can all have an impact on the performance of certain players and teams. While elite players are away from their club teams, youngsters can step in and provide added value. Some good play can elevate the confidence a coaching staff might show in these depth players as the post-season approaches.
In some cases, the performance of a team can create pause, that feeling of curiousness as to where the group is headed down the stretch.
Last month, we saw a little bit of everything in the B.C. Division. And the early returns in February suggest the division standings will continue to tighten up.
Prince George Cougars (36-16-3-0…75 points)
Games remaining: 17
Divisional games: 9
Kelowna: 2; Victoria: 0; Kamloops: 5; Vancouver: 2.
Prince George played 14 games in January, posting a 9-4-1 record to maintain its healthy lead atop the division standings. The Cougars played only four games against division rivals, going 2-1-1 in the process. For the 18th consecutive week, the Cougars were ranked among the CHL’s top 10, this past week in the #4 spot.
When Kelowna waltzed into the CN Centre and won both games of a weekend double dip this past weekend, by scores of 3-2 and 5-1, it marked the first time this season the Cats have fallen to the Rockets. PG now leads the season series 4-2, but suffice to say, the Rockets have served notice and perhaps planted a seed of doubt in the Cougars dressing room.
The Cougars are 16-9-1 at home, combined with a 20-7-2 record on the road. Of its 11 games in February, six are against division rivals.
Despite the obvious firepower on its roster, Prince George is 20th in the WHL in power play efficiency, ahead of only Prince Albert and Vancouver. On the other hand, the Cougars don’t give up much while shorthanded, allowing only 37 power play goals against so far. Only Everett (22), Seattle (34) and Moose Jaw (36) have given up fewer. The Cats are 4-0 in shootouts.
Kamloops Blazers (32-18-2-3…69 points)
Games remaining: 17
Divisional games: 13
Prince George: 5; Victoria: 4; Kelowna: 2; Vancouver: 2.
Kamloops played 12 games in January and posted an 8-3-1 record to make a big move in the divisional standings. Against B.C. Division rivals, the Blazers went 3-0-1 and finished the month in second place.
For the past week, Kamloops toured south of the 49th parallel, a road trip through the U.S. Division teams that could have been much more productive in the standings. The Blazers went 2-3 on the five game run, dropping a pair of decisions in extra time that at least resulted in loser points. (OK, the standings will reflect a record of 2-1-1-1).
Upon its return to the friendly confines of the Sandman Centre, Kamloops will welcome the Rockets on Wednesday evening, a team that has won three straight games.
Kamloops has the third best home record in the WHL (19-6-1) for a .750 winning percentage, trailing only Regina (.808) and Lethbridge (.759). Kamloops is 1-3 in shootouts. Among B.C. Division teams, the Blazers likely possess the most difficult schedule the rest of the way. However, with five games remaining against the front-running Prince George Cougars, there is potential for the Blazers to reel in the Cats.
Kelowna Rockets (30-19-4-0…64 points)
Games remaining: 19
Divisional games: 11
Prince George: 2; Victoria: 2; Kamloops: 2; Vancouver: 5.
Kelowna had the quietest month in terms of games played with 11, but its 4-5-2 record demonstrated an uncomfortable trend for the perennial B.C. Division power. The Rockets won only three of seven games against division rivals in January.
It’s too early to call the January stumble a free-fall, yet there was a restlessness brewing in Kelowna, a WHL market that is used to consistent peak performance. A pair of one-goal losses (3-2 to Kamloops and 5-4 to Portland) on consecutive nights at Prospera Place was deflating because of the way the games were lost. Undisciplined play and a parade to the penalty box prevented the Rockets from putting their opponents away when they had opportunities to do so.
The sweep of the doubleheader in Prince George this past weekend came on the heels of an 8-2 rout over the hapless Calgary Hitmen. The modest three-game winning streak is a great start for Kelowna, which will play 10 more games in February.
The Rockets have the best power play production in the division, scoring 54 times in 230 opportunities. At 23.5% efficiency, Kelowna currently ranks sixth in the WHL. The Rockets have yet to surrender a shorthanded goal this season, while they have scored 10 shorties so far, trailing only Regina (18), Brandon (16) and Medicine Hat (14).
Victoria Royals (30-19-4-0…64 points)
Games remaining: 19
Divisional games: 10
Prince George: 0; Kamloops: 4; Kelowna: 2; Vancouver: 4.
Victoria played 12 games in January and posted an 8-4 record. Of their eight divisional games, the Royals won five, with four of those decisions coming against the Vancouver Giants. At the end of February, Victoria will face the Giants in another three-in-three set.
The Royals are on a four-game winning streak and have gone 8-2 in its past ten games. Victoria will play 11 games in February but only five against division rivals. A key doubleheader is set for this coming weekend in Kamloops.
In the tight B.C. Division so far, there is little to choose between Victoria and Kelowna. Statistically, the teams are tied for third place in the division standings with identical records. Further, both teams have scored 186 goals so far. The Royals have given up 150 goals to the Rockets 159. They will meet twice more this season, both times in Kelowna in March.
The Royals continue to hover in the middle of the pack on special teams, ranked 13th on the power play and eighth in penalty killing. Victoria in 1-1 in shootouts. Griffen Outhouse leads all goaltenders with 48 appearances.
Vancouver Giants (17-31-2-3…39 points)
Games remaining: 19
Divisional games: 13
Prince George: 2; Kamloops: 2; Kelowna: 5; Victoria: 4.
Vancouver played 14 games in January and failed to make significant headway. Its 2-10-0-2 record ensures there will be no race to the post-season. Within the division, the Giants went 1-5-0-1, with its only win coming at home over Kelowna.
The Giants are winless in its last seven and have gone 1-7-1-1 in its last ten games. As has been mentioned in past updates, the Giants can have an impact on the BC Division standings if they can muster a few timely wins over division rivals.
Vancouver can look forward to another scheduling quirk down the stretch as they will play 3 game in three nights against the Victoria Royals. This stretch will them be followed by three games in four nights against the Portland Winterhawks.
Vancouver has not had Tyler Benson in the lineup since Jan. 2. They miss the power forward in all situations, perhaps mostly with the man advantage. The Giants have scored the fewest power play goals in the WHL with 28.
