With the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League regular season wrapping up next week (Feb. 15), the playoff picture is beginning to emerge.
League president Joe O’Shea notes the top eight teams in points qualify for post-season play. Things are simple in the South Division, where 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3. In the North Division, the first place team will play either the fourth place team from the North or the fifth place team from the South, should the fifth place team from the South finish with more points. The second and third place teams meet in the other series.
Following the first round, the remaining four teams will be reseeded for the balance of the playoffs, with seeds determined by regular season final points. All series are best-of-seven, with the highest placed team having home ice advantage.
If the season ended today, the first round North Division playoffs would pit the Campbell River Storm (N1) against the Saanich Braves (S5) and Comox Valley Glacier Kings (N2) against the Nanaimo Buccaneers (N3). In the South, the Victoria Cougars (S1) would meet the Kerry Park Islanders (S4) and the Peninsula Panthers (S2) would meet the Westshore Wolves (S3).
The Glacier Kings continue their pursuit of top spot in the North Division this week with a game in Victoria on Feb. 6 and at home against Nanaimo on Feb. 8.
