By Mark Janzen /
Jeremy Roenick would have loved this year’s BCHL All-Star Game.
When the BCHL decided to go a little old school with their all-star contest and pit last year’s league champions against a league all-star team, you knew it wasn’t going to be a typical showcase.
Sure, the game in which Vernon beat the BCHL all-stars 7-2 was far from a regular season contest in terms of physical play, but it likely had enough spark to please JR.
“It was a little bit different,” said Vernon coach Mark Ferner. “There was a little bit of body contact, no question about that.
“Our guys were very excited and honoured to take part in something like that. I just hope the fans left there with a better taste in their mouth than in the past.”
In previous years, the all-star game has been less than thrilling but this year’s throwback style gave fans a little more excitement.
“It’s a tried and tested style from the old days and it went extremely well,” said BCHL commissioner John Grisdale. “It was up tempo and the best (all-star) game we’ve had in some time.”
The Vipers were led by Kellen Jones whose three-assist performance garnered him game MVP honours. Vernon’s Mike Collins had two goals while Bryce Kakoske, Sawyer Mick, Connor Jones, Braden Pimm and Rob Short each scored one.
Replying for the BCHL all-stars was Alberni Valley’s Mitch MacMillan and Salmon Arm’s Mark Zengerle.
As for next year, the all-star format might yet see another change.
Grisdale said the league is looking into combining with the AJHL to showcase some kind of all-star game whether it is an NHL prospect gala or just an all-star game between the two leagues. |