Uneven start knocks Vees out of CJHL rankings

After being rated first overall in the Canadian Junior Hockey League pre-season rankings, the Penticton Vees are not among the first top-20 and honourable mentions list of the 2018-19 season.

Penticton has struggled out of the gate with a 2-3-0 record, leaving the Vees in last place in the B.C. Hockey League’s Interior Division standings.

The strength and depth of the BCHL often works against its 17 teams when it comes to the CJHL rankings. After only two weeks of play, there are no unbeaten teams left in the BCHL.

Only the Prince George Spruce Kings at No. 16 and Powell River Kings at No. 18 are ranked.

The Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan league are ranked No. 1 after getting off to a 4-0 start with just four goals against.

The 5-0 Soo Thunderbirds (Northern Ontario league) come in at No. 2, while the 6-0 Titan de Princeville (Quebec league) were tabbed No. 3 overall.

Unbeaten teams Dauphin Kings (Manitoba league) and Fort Frances Lakers (Superior International league) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Spruce Grove Saints at No. 17 and Bonnyville Pontiacs at No. 19 are the only Alberta teams listed.

The weekly tabulations are compiled by an independent scouting service, which uses a variety of factors to determine the rankings.

The Vees look to get on track as they visit the Merritt Centennials on Friday at 7 p.m. before welcoming Alberni Valley Bulldogs to the South Okanagan Events Centre for their home opener on Saturday at 6 p.m.

ICE CHIPS: F David Silye has been involved in nine of the Vees’ 15 goals through five games, with the four goals and nine points putting him in a seven-way tie for second place in BCHL scoring. F Lucas Sowder of Wenatchee leads the way with 10 points, including a league-best nine assists . . . . Vees special teams have struggled, especially the penalty kill which sits 16th best at 75.0 per cent (seven goals allowed on 33 chances). Only West Kelowna, at a woeful 41.7 per cent (seven goals allowed on 12 chances) has been worse. The Vees’ power play is tied for fifth worst with Merritt at 13.6 per cent (three goals on 22 chances). The Trail Smoke Eaters’ power play is No. 1 at 55.0 per cent (11 goals on 20 chances) . . . . In the only midweek game involving Interior teams, Wenatchee will visit West Kelowna on Wednesday at 7 p.m.