Law, now coaching Kelowna, returns to Osoyoos tonight
Longtime Coyotes coach adjusting to life behind Chiefs’ bench in KIJHL
The schedule-maker ensured Ken Law wouldn’t have to wait long to return to the place he enjoyed so much success over the past eight KIJHL seasons.
Law and the Kelowna Chiefs visit the Osoyoos Coyotes in an intriguing early-season Okanagan Division matchup tonight at 7:35 p.m. at the Sun Bowl Arena.
“I wouldn’t say it will be emotional, but it’s definitely very exciting,” said the Penticton resident and longtime bench boss. “It will be great to see some old friends, the players we recruited that are still there and the fans.”
As fate would have it, both teams own perfect records: the Chiefs are 2-0 and the Coyotes are 1-0. Under Law, Kelowna is yet to lose in four exhibition and regular-season games.
“One of us is going to come out of there with a mark on our record,” said Law. “It should be a real good hockey game.”
Osoyoos fans watched many a real good game during Law’s tenure.
The Coyotes went 282-94-9-19 in the regular season and 74-40 in the playoffs over the eight seasons.
When junior hockey left and then returned to Osoyoos in 2010-11, Law guided the Coyotes to a remarkable 42-2-2-4 record and a KIJHL playoff championship in the first year back.
“That was an exceptional year . . . you don’t come by those too often,” said the soft-spoken coach.
“It would sure be nice to come close to replicating that in Kelowna this year.”
In the subsequent seven seasons, the Coyotes won five more division pennants and a second KIJHL overall pennant, but couldn’t quite get over the hump in the playoffs.
The Coyotes lost in the conference final in five of the seven years, though they failed to win a playoff series under Law in only one campaign (2011-12).
Perhaps the most painful conference final loss was in 2016-17 when the Coyotes were up 2-0 in a best-of-five against the Chase Heat and gave up the lead in the dying seconds of consecutive road games and lost in overtime, before falling in the decisive Game 5 back at the Sun Bowl.
As any coach will tell you, winning in the playoffs is predicated on so many unknowns. A bad break or two can turn a best-of-seven series upside down.
“You need to stay reasonably healthy, you need a few breaks, there is the officiating . . . so many unknowns that you really can’t prepare for,” said Law.
“You just want to give yourself a chance, hope some things go your way,” he added.
Law and the Coyotes had a mutual parting in the off-season, but not long after, Law was announced as the head coach and assistant GM with the Chiefs. Law is settling in nicely with his new team, which opened the 2018-19 season by hammering Kamloops 8-1 in the home opener at the Rutland Arena and winning 5-2 one night later in Chase.
“Anytime you take on something new, you’re always apprehensive,” said Law. “The guys have been really receptive to what we’re trying to do and we’ve got a real good group of veterans and newer kids.” He plans to see where things sit after 10 games to decide what the needs might be.
“You’re always looking to improve,” said Law. “We’re only carrying 22 guys right now and you’re allowed to have 25, so we’ve got a few spots open if the right player(s) were to come along.”
Perhaps the big question for the retired Canada Post letter carrier is how much longer it takes to get to work at the Rutland Arena than it did at the Sun Bowl.
“You know, it’s pretty much the same distance,” Law said, chuckling. “If I leave before 9 a.m., it ends up being about the same time. The traffic is the big difference . . . if you get caught in a jam, for sure you can add a half hour or so to the time.”
Of course, preparation is the key with being a head coach and Law has the situation covered.
“My brother has a place (in Kelowna), so I end up spending three or four nights a week up there,” said Law, adding that factor did enter into his decision to take the Chiefs’ job. “It’s worked out pretty well.”
BCHL
The West Kelowna Warriors are set to visit the Vernon Vipers tonight for a 7 p.m. puck-drop at Kal Tire Place.
Both teams experienced mixed results last weekend as West Kelowna split a home-and-home with Trail to start the season, while Vernon lost to defending BCHL champion Wenatchee before beating Merritt.
West Kelowna will then host Wenatchee on Saturday, 7 p.m. at Royal LePage Place, while Vernon gets to stay at home, entertaining Trail in a 6 p.m. start on Saturday at Kal Tire Place.
West Kelowna has three players with two points through two games, as Chase Dubois, Mike Hardman and Wyatt Head each produced one goal and one assist.
Connor Hopkins started both games in goal for the Warriors, who won 4-3 in overtime at Trail last Friday before falling 6-4 in the rematch at RLP on Saturday.
Vernon’s leading scorer is Josh Prokop, with three points on one goal and two assists, while Alex Swetlikoff has a team-high two goals. Jesse Lansdell also has two points (1-1), and Aidan Porter played both games in goal.
The Penticton Vees only had one game on opening weekend and came out on the losing end in Langley. Penticton doesn’t play at home until the end of the month, Sept. 29 against Alberni Valley. The Vees are on the road again this weekend, facing Cowichan Valley tonight and Victoria on Saturday.