Audio Playoff Preview

I've done "hot stove" interview segments for Overtime with broadcasters involved in all four BCHL first round playoff series. In this post I'll examine the three Smokies-less best of fives.

INTERIOR CONFERENCE



The fourth place Vees take on the fifth place Spruce Kings in an Interior Conference battle. Penticton is red hot right now despite losing their best player (Denver Manderson) to injury. Prince George finished the season at a better pace than they'd been playing at mid-season, but not up to their first place start in September. I had broadcasters Ron Gallo and Ryan Pinder break the series down on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Penticton's Ryan Pinder and Prince George's Ron Gallo

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They have way more insight into this series than I could have so listen in for the inside scoops. Now let's check out the season series:

Sept 20: Penticton 7 at Prince George 3
Nov 16: Prince George 2 at Penticton 6
Dec 13: Penticton 3 at Prince George 0
Jan 3: Prince George 4 at Penticton 5 (OT)
Feb 6: Penticton 2 at Prince George 1
Feb 11: Prince George 3 at Penticton 6

PREDICTON: Penticton has yet to lose a single game to Prince George this season. I think that will change in the playoffs. However, I don't think it'll change significantly. I see the Vees getting up 2-0 after their home games, dropping game 3 in PG and finishing the series off up north. Vees in 4.

MAINLAND DIVISION



The second place Langley Chiefs take on the the third place Surreay Eagles. Teams that played each other basically a hundred times this season only separated by 2 points at the end of the regular season. You have to think this is going to be close. I had broadcaster Colin Tiggelaar and marketing man Jared Harman break the series down on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Surrey's Colin Tiggelaar and Langley's Jared Harman

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Now let's check out the season series:

Sept 5: Langley 1 at Surrey 3
Sept 6: Surrey 3 at Langley 7
Dec 5: Langley 1 at Surrey 3
Dec 6: Surrey 2 at Langley 4
Dec 19: Langley 4 at Surrey 3 (OT)
Dec 20: Surrey 4 at Langley 5 (OT)
Jan 2: Langley 9 at Surrey 5
Jan 9: Langley 2 at Surrey 5
Jan 10: Surrey 3 at Langley 8
Feb 6: Surrey 4 at Langley 3 (OT)
Feb 13: Langley 2 at Surrey 1 (OT)
Feb 14: Surrey 3 at Langley 3 (OT)

PREDICTON: Langley went 7-3-1-1 against Surrey, but 5 of those games went to overtime so Surrey's record is 4-4-1-3. There have been a few lopsided games in Langley's favour, but it seems like Surrey has been the better team in the second half. I think if it were a full series I'd pick Langley, but since it's only five games I'm going with the Eagles in 5. I like Tartaglione to be a game stealer in a couple of those contests. My opinion doesn't mean much (...ever) when it comes coastal teams though.

ISLAND DIVISION



The second place Cowichan Valley Capitals take on the third place Nanaimo Clippers. The defending Coastal Conference champions have slipped a little this season and have a lot of injuries to deal with as they head into this first round. I had broadcasters Dan Marshall and Hammer (though he's not involved in the series I had to have the BCHL broadcaster of the year in the preview) break the series down on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Nanaimo's Dan Marshall and Alberni Valley's Hammer

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Now let's check out the season series:

Sept 12: Cowichan 4 at Nanaimo 3 (OT)
Sept 13: Nanaimo 4 at Cowichan 3
Oct 24: Cowichan 3 at Nanaimo 1
Oct 25: Nanaimo 4 at Cowichan 3 (OT)
Nov 1: Nanaimo 5 at Cowichan 2
Dec 3: Cowichan 6 at Nanaimo 1
Dec 13: Nanaimo 0 at Cowichan 2
Dec 20: Nanaimo 1 at Cowichan 3
Dec 31: Cowichan 4 at Nanaimo 3
Jan 9: Cowichan 2 at Nanaimo 3 (OT)
Jan 31: Nanaimo 1 at Cowichan 1 (OT)
Feb 13: Cowichan 2 at Nanaimo 1

PREDICTON: Cowichan Valley went 7-2-1-2 against Nanaimo, but the Clippers' record of 4-6-1-2 makes the series look closer. I agree with those who say never count out Nanaimo in the first round, but with the injuries they have to deal with I think it'll be tough to get more than a single game. Caps in 4.

Hopefully I'll get the chance to chat with the guys in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Powell River and Victoria before the second round gets started. Thanks to everyone that replied to my e-mail invitations. I appreciate your time and thoughtful responses.

Thoughts, predictions, analysis? Have at it in the comments section...