New BCHL schedule released

Jun 9, 2022 | 10:00 AM

The BC Hockey League has announced the schedule for the 2022-23 regular season.

The league’s 61st season will begin on Friday, Sept. 23 and finish on Sunday, Mar. 26 and will once again consist of 54 games for each team.

The Vernon Vipers will begin their new season with a game in Salmon Arm against the Silverbacks Friday, Sept. 23, followed by a home game against the Silverbacks Saturday, Sept. 24.

The BCHL has released it’s 2022-23 regular season schedule and it’s a good one for your Vernon Vipers! Looking forward to seeing all of our fans back at Kal Tire Place this September!https://t.co/2Dr8KKUCMJ pic.twitter.com/gFwaSHCWQc

— Vernon Vipers (@VernonVipers) June 9, 2022

(Vernon Vipers/Twitter)

Key dates:

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Sep. 23 – opening night
Feb. 18 & 19 – BCHL Road Show event (Prince George vs. Salmon Arm)
Mar. 17 – Fred Page Cup Final rematch (Nanaimo @ Penticton)
Mar. 26 – regular season ends
Mar. 31 – BCHL Playoffs begin

The schedule currently does not include dates for the BCHL Showcase, where each team plays two regular-season games. A full Showcase schedule will be announced at a later date.

Click here to view the 2022-23 schedule.

This year’s schedule includes 83 per cent prime-night games on Fridays and Saturdays. This includes a handful of buildings that restrict Friday and Saturday game nights.

Before the pandemic, the league hovered around 65 per cent over five years.

There are also 3.41 days for every one regular-season game due to the extended season length. Pre-COVID, the league was at 2.95 days for every one regular-season game over five years.

This allows for more practices, gym time and more recovery time for BCHL athletes, bringing the schedule closer to a college hockey format.

An exhibition schedule will be announced at a later date.

by Pete McIntyre

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