Pinder's Interior Power Rankings

Ryan Pinder, play by play broadcaster for the Penticton Vees, has been doing a weekly BCHL Interior Conference power ranking over at his blog. Check out the latest installment by clicking on this link. He's got the Smoke Eaters steady in 5th spot after two versions of the rankings. I have to admit it's surprising to see Prince George up in first spot. With all the rumblings coming out of their local media in the summer you would've thought the whole team was ready to revolt against their coach. Can't believe everything you read I guess! I remember last year Ed Dempsey telling me at the start of the season (our first road trip) that the Spruce Kings had a roster full of rookies that would be learning throughout the season. It looks like a year of rebuilding from within is paying off for Prince George early this season. It'll be interesting to get a look at them this weekend up north.

Looks like the Vees and Smoke Eaters will end up criss-crossing each other between PG and Quesnel this weekend. A road trip that teams used to look at as a guaranteed four points is certainly anything but a picnic these days. The Smokies got whipped by Quesnel almost every time last season. Their goaltender Jeff Malcom was making great strides in 07-08 and seems to have taken his game to the next level so far this season. The trip will wrap up for Trail on Sunday afternoon in Merritt. A couple of smaller, physical barns and a lot of bus hours for one weekend. Sometimes I think these trips are harder on my 27 year old broadcasting body than on these guys who bust their butts on the ice for three straight games. Nice to be a teenager! Still, it'll be a big challenge and a bonding experience for a team that is all ready very close early in the year.

I am glad we'll be making two of our three trips to Prince George and Quesnel this season early in the year. It's quite nice up there in September and October. December and January? Well it's quite nice up there in September and October! I'm just a wimp I admit it.

So what do you think about Ryan's power rankings? Head on over to his blog and check it out. Personally mine would probably look a little different. That being said I think things will be closer from 1 to 8 this year than they were last year. I doubt we'll be seeing many lopsided games. Off the top of my head:

1. Vernon Vipers (Huge returning core from last year's very good team and strong performance thus far, it's hard to bet against the Vipers in the Interior)

2. Prince George Spruce Kings (Can't argue with the results so far after a rebuilding year, but will they hold up?)

3. Penticton Vees (Hard to rate them after a week off but they look as skilled as ever)

4. Trail Smoke Eaters (Perhaps the best goaltending tandem in the Interior and two wins in three very tight games for the young team)

5. Westside Warriors (Terrific puck possession team who can play tough and physical but need to sure up their goaltending either with improved play from within or elsewhere)

6. Quesnel Millionaires (Malcom has had perhaps the best goaltending performance in the league so far and the Mills have a lot of vets who want to take this team to the playoffs)

7. Salmon Arm Silverbacks (Two losses to Quesnel but they ran into a very hot goalie so how will they rebound?)

8. Merritt Centennials (Had a tough time scoring goals for three games until the third period against Trail and a strong game against Prince George, getting May in goal and other additions up front could turn things around quickly)

What do you think? I'll be back later tonight or tomorrow with some audio from this weekend and Brandon Clark's live appearance on Mountain FM's Overtime last night.

Incidentally, we discovered tonight on Overtime that former Prince George and Merritt goaltender Shane Mainprize has landed in the KIJHL this season with the Grand Forks Border Bruins. He apparently was trying out in the NAHL, but is now going to suit up for Grand Forks. Should be a big boost for them.