Major mileage for BCHL semi-final teams in cities more than 800 km apart
Posted March 31, 2018 9:32 am.
Last Updated April 4, 2018 12:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Bus travel is nothing new in the world of junior hockey, but the BCHL is taking that to a new level this weekend as the league’s semi-finals continue today.
On one side of the draw, the Powell River Kings face the Prince George Spruce Kings — two cities separated by more than 800 kilometres, rink to rink.
While the league is allowed full days between games for travel, it doesn’t make it any less grueling to have to travel from the Sunshine Coast to Northern BC. The teams travel for hours, going hundreds of kilometres on a bus and then spend more time on the water, with ferry travel.
Alex Rawnsley, the broadcaster for the Kings, says it’s all part of the experience.
“Every road trip that we have, every game that we play away from our own rink involves at least one ferry — there, and then another one back. So, this is nothing new to us.”
He adds it’s on the players and staff to do their best to be ready.
“It’s just about eating right, not downing an energy drink at 10 p.m. — just recognizing the fact that you might be happy and on cloud nine after a big playoff win or you might be down after a tough loss, but you’ve got to always focus towards the next day.”
On the other side of the draw, the Trail Smoke Eaters battle the Wenatchee Wild — that’s about 400 kilometres in travel.
Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to reflect Alex Rawnsley is the broadcaster for the Powell River Kings and not the Prince George Spruce Kings. We apologize for this error.
