Team Sites
Follow the BCHL
BCHL

BCHL adding two games to regular-season schedule

BCHL adding two games to regular-season schedule

Published: May 24, 2013

The B.C. Hockey League is considering a few tweaks to its scheduling as it heads into the 2013-14 season.

Most notable is an increase from 56 to 58 regular-season games for the coming campaign. The finalized BCHL schedule will be announced in mid-June.

Another issue under consideration is the league playoff format. Last season, Interior teams played two seven-game series to reach the Fred Page Cup final, while Coastal teams played two best-of-five sets, followed by a best-of-seven conference final to reach the Fred Page.

Vernon Vipers’ head coach/GM Jason Williamson, who co-chairs the league coaches committee with Nanaimo Clippers’ bench boss Mike Vandekamp, said several revised playoff formats are being put forward for consideration by league governors at the AGM, June 6-8 in Richmond.

Meanwhile, the Vipers expect to announce this weekend the future considerations headed to Vernon to complete the deal that sent centre Adam Tambellini to the Surrey Eagles at the carding deadline.

Williamson said two Eagles will be joining the Viper den, while one current Vernon roster player is also bound for Surrey as part of the deal.

The Vipers earlier announced the players they received in the Aaron Hadley deadline trade with the Nanaimo Clippers – forward Michael McNicholas, 19, and defenceman Josh Bryan, 20.

Vernon, hosts of the 2014 RBC Cup national Junior A championship, will jumpstart its main training camp on Monday, Aug. 19.

The Vipers’ exhibition schedule begins with a home-and-home against the Salmon Arm SilverBacks. The Gorillas host the Snakes on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Shaw Centre before visiting Wesbild Centre (which will be renamed Kal Tire Place on June 1) for a Saturday, Aug. 24 tilt.

Vernon then heads to 100 Mile House for a Wednesday, Aug. 28 date with the Prince George Spruce Kings.

They end the exhibition schedule with another home-and-home with the West Kelowna Warriors, beginning Friday, Aug. 30 at home. The Vipers visit the Warriors Saturday, Aug. 31 at Royal LePage Place.

The regular season opens with the second annual Showcase tournament, Sept. 6-8 in Chilliwack.