What championship hangover? Returning just a handful of players from the team that won a home-ice national title last spring, the Chilliwack Chiefs were even better this season, winning their way to the top of the BCHL for the first time since 2001-02 (which was also the last time they were league champions). The Chiefs only led the league in one category – most road wins (19) – but they were near the top in pretty much everything; Chilliwack was fifth in goals (209), fourth in goals against (169), fifth in power play (21.9%) and second in penalty kill (84.5%). Matt Holmes led the Chiefs – and all BCHL rookies – in scoring (28-40—68), while Mathieu Caron was sixth among qualified puck-stoppers in goals-against average (2.71).

PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS
Interior Division
1) Penticton Vees vs. WC1) Cowichan Valley Capitals
2) Merritt Centennials vs. 7) Trail Smoke Eaters
3) Wenatchee Wild vs. 6) West Kelowna Warriors
4) Vernon Vipers vs. 5) Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Island Division
1) Victoria Grizzlies vs. 4) Alberni Valley Bulldogs
2) Powell River Kings vs. 3) Nanaimo Clippers

Mainland Division
1) Chilliwack Chiefs vs. 4) Langley Rivermen
2) Prince George Spruce Kings vs. 3) Coquitlam Express

FINAL STANDINGS (W-L-OTL)
Interior Division
Penticton – 79 points (37-16-5)
Merritt – 79 points (36-15-7)
Wenatchee – 70 points (32-20-6)
Vernon – 63 points (26-21-11)
Salmon Arm – 59 points (27-26-5)
West Kelowna – 58 points (28-28-2)
Trail – 57 points (23-24-11)

Island Division
Victoria – 76 points (38-18-4)
Powell River – 71 points (34-21-3)
Nanaimo – 55 points (27-30-1)
Alberni Valley – 45 points (21-34-3)
Cowichan Valley – 40 points (17-35-6)

Mainland Division
Chilliwack – 85 points (42-15-1)
Prince George – 84 points (39-13-6)
Coquitlam – 62 points (28-24-6)
Langley – 58 points (27-27-4)
Surrey – 30 points (13-41-4)

LEADING SCORERS
Alex Newhook (Victoria) – 38G 64A 102P
Ryan Brushett (Powell River) – 41G 43A 84P
Mike Hardman (West Kelowna) – 39G 33A 72P
Dustin Manz (Prince George) – 33G 37A 70P
Matt Holmes (Chilliwack) – 28G 40A 68P

LEADING GOALTENDERS
Logan Neaton (Prince George) – 32-8, 1.92 GAA, .914 SV%, 5 SO
Jack LaFontaine (Penticton) – 30-13, 2.19 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO
Cal Sundquist (Wenatchee) – 13-9, 2.48 GAA, .890 SV%, 0 SO
Kurtis Chapman (Victoria) – 26-9, 2.52 GAA, .933 SV%, 4 SO
Aidan Porter (Vernon) – 19-17, 2.59 GAA, .908 SV%, 4 SO

LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE
2018 (Chilliwack Chiefs – national champions; Wenatchee Wild – third place)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES
32 (2018, 2018 (host), 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2009 (host), 2007 (host), 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1998 (host), 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1990 (host), 1989, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983)

LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2018 (Chilliwack Chiefs)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
14 (2018, Chilliwack Chiefs; 2016, West Kelowna Warriors; 2012, Penticton Vees; 2010, Vernon Vipers; 2009, Vernon Vipers; 2006, Burnaby Express; 1999, Vernon Vipers; 1998, South Surrey Eagles; 1996, Vernon Vipers; 1993, Kelowna Spartans; 1991, Vernon Lakers; 1990, Vernon Lakers; 1987, Richmond Sockeyes; 1986, Penticton Knights)