Jacob Bestebroer is a frequent contributor to the Chilliwack Progress, providing notes on the Chilliwack Chiefs and goings-on around the BCHL.
The Chilliwack Chiefs entered the Christmas break in second place in the BCHL’s Mainland division and it looked like that’s exactly where they would finish the season.
But Chilliwack’s three game winning streak since the break may have changed that.
Looking behind them, the third place were 10 points back with the same amount of games left as Chilliwack.
To catch the Chiefs, Langley likely needed to win all three remaining games between the two teams in regulation. That scenario is the Rivermen’s only roadmap now that they’ve fallen 14 points back of Chilliwack with a game in hand.
The Prince George Spruce Kings were 11 points back at the break with a game in hand. They’ve won two straight since and now sit 13 back with a game in hand. The Chiefs and Spruce Kings play each other five more times this season. To catch the Chiefs the Spruce Kings will likely have to win four of those five games.
While there certainly is a chance the Chiefs could slip below second place by season’s end, it seems unlikely.
As I stated earlier the Chiefs have won three straight since the break. With all three of those wins coming against the team they are chasing, the Wenatchee Wild, the Chiefs have reduced the number of points between them and first place from 11 to seven (the Wild picked up two points as two of the Chiefs wins came in overtime).
Both teams now have 20 games left but none against each other.
So can the Chiefs catch the Wild?
Wenatchee plays 10 of their remaining games at home where they have the league’s best home record, earning 94.7 per cent of their possible home points. The Chiefs have earned 78.1 per cent of their home points, third best in the league and will play 13 of their final 20 games on home ice.
Each team plays a team ahead of them in the standings a maximum of once.
The Wild travel to Penticton while the Chiefs play Penticton on home ice.
While there are no guaranteed wins in this league, it’s fair to look at how many times each team faces the Coquitlam Express (6-29-1-2).
Wenatchee plays the Express twice while the Chiefs face them four times.
Some scheduling quirks for the Wild. After traveling to Surrey last night they play six straight games at home. That leaves them with just four home games over their final 13 games.
They also finish the season with four straight games against Langley.
So while moving from second to first won’t be easy, it certainly looks possible.
jb@chilliwackchiefs.net