Jason La Rose
What championship hangover? Returning just a handful of players from the team that won a home-ice national title last spring, the Chilliwack Chiefs were even better this season, winning their way to the top of the BCHL for the first time since 2001-02 (which was also the last time they were league champions). The Chiefs only led the league in one category – most road wins (19) – but they were near the top in pretty much everything; Chilliwack was fifth in goals (209), fourth in goals against (169), fifth in power play (21.9%) and second in penalty kill (84.5%). Matt Holmes led the Chiefs – and all BCHL rookies – in scoring (28-40—68), while Mathieu Caron was sixth among qualified puck-stoppers in goals-against average (2.71).
PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS Interior Division 1) Penticton Vees vs. WC1) Cowichan Valley Capitals 2) Merritt Centennials vs. 7) Trail Smoke Eaters 3) Wenatchee Wild vs. 6) West Kelowna Warriors 4) Vernon Vipers vs. 5) Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Island Division 1) Victoria Grizzlies vs. 4) Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2) Powell River Kings vs. 3) Nanaimo Clippers
Mainland Division 1) Chilliwack Chiefs vs. 4) Langley Rivermen 2) Prince George Spruce Kings vs. 3) Coquitlam Express
FINAL STANDINGS (W-L-OTL) Interior Division Penticton – 79 points (37-16-5) Merritt – 79 points (36-15-7) Wenatchee – 70 points (32-20-6) Vernon – 63 points (26-21-11) Salmon Arm – 59 points (27-26-5) West Kelowna – 58 points (28-28-2) Trail – 57 points (23-24-11)
Island Division Victoria – 76 points (38-18-4) Powell River – 71 points (34-21-3) Nanaimo – 55 points (27-30-1) Alberni Valley – 45 points (21-34-3) Cowichan Valley – 40 points (17-35-6)
Mainland Division Chilliwack – 85 points (42-15-1) Prince George – 84 points (39-13-6) Coquitlam – 62 points (28-24-6) Langley – 58 points (27-27-4) Surrey – 30 points (13-41-4)
LEADING SCORERS Alex Newhook (Victoria) – 38G 64A 102P Ryan Brushett (Powell River) – 41G 43A 84P Mike Hardman (West Kelowna) – 39G 33A 72P Dustin Manz (Prince George) – 33G 37A 70P Matt Holmes (Chilliwack) – 28G 40A 68P
LEADING GOALTENDERS Logan Neaton (Prince George) – 32-8, 1.92 GAA, .914 SV%, 5 SO Jack LaFontaine (Penticton) – 30-13, 2.19 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO Cal Sundquist (Wenatchee) – 13-9, 2.48 GAA, .890 SV%, 0 SO Kurtis Chapman (Victoria) – 26-9, 2.52 GAA, .933 SV%, 4 SO Aidan Porter (Vernon) – 19-17, 2.59 GAA, .908 SV%, 4 SO
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE 2018 (Chilliwack Chiefs – national champions; Wenatchee Wild – third place)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES 32 (2018, 2018 (host), 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2009 (host), 2007 (host), 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1998 (host), 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1990 (host), 1989, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983)
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 (Chilliwack Chiefs)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 14 (2018, Chilliwack Chiefs; 2016, West Kelowna Warriors; 2012, Penticton Vees; 2010, Vernon Vipers; 2009, Vernon Vipers; 2006, Burnaby Express; 1999, Vernon Vipers; 1998, South Surrey Eagles; 1996, Vernon Vipers; 1993, Kelowna Spartans; 1991, Vernon Lakers; 1990, Vernon Lakers; 1987, Richmond Sockeyes; 1986, Penticton Knights)