Adjusted BCHL standings using the 3-2-1 points system

Last month’s 4 Nations Face-Off captivated the hockey world in more ways than one. Most will point to Canada’s thrilling overtime win against the United States, but as an exhibition tournament between the National Hockey League and its Players Association, there was the opportunity to experiment with some different rules.

Especially intriguing was the use of different rules for the standings points calculation than the NHL regular season. In the 4 Nations Face-Off, three points were awarded for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and no points for a regulation loss.

There is already precedent in the hockey world as the International Ice Hockey Federation and the Professional Women’s Hockey League use a three-point system.

While watching the tournament, I began to ponder what effect such a point system would have on this season’s BC Hockey League standings. Currently, the BCHL uses the same rules as the NHL as it relates to points standings — two points for a win of any kind, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and no points for a regulation loss.

I’ve sorted each conference based on points percentage because it’s a more accurate representation of the standings since teams haven’t played an equal number of games. Standings are current to games completed on Saturday, Mar. 8.

Current Coastal Conference standings

TEAM	POINTS PCT	POINTS	REGULATION WINS	GAMES PLAYED
Chilliwack	.691	65	30	47
Victoria	.641	59	26	46
Surrey	.617	58	27	47
Coquitlam	.617	58	26	47
Cowichan Valley	.606	57	27	47
Alberni Valley	.552	53	25	48
Nanaimo	.542	52	24	48
Langley	.469	45	18	48
Prince George	.448	43	19	48
Powell River	.250	24	9	48

Adjusted standings in a 3-2-1 point system

TEAM	POINTS PERCENTAGE	ADJUSTED POINTS
Chilliwack	.659	93
Surrey	.596	84
Cowichan Valley	.574	81
Victoria	.565	78
Coquitlam	.532	75
Alberni Valley	.500	72
Nanaimo	.486	70
Langley	.403	58
Prince George	.389	56
Powell River	.222	32

The Victoria Grizzlies drop the most in the Coastal Conference in this model, from second to fourth — at least in points percentage. The Grizzlies have only 19 regulation victories this season, one more than the eighth-place Nanaimo Clippers. In the new system, Victoria’s points percentage drops from .641 to .565.

Currently, the Grizzlies are holding onto second place in the conference, with Surrey, Coquitlam, and Cowichan Valley breathing down their necks. The new system adds separation between the teams in playoff positions, with the second-place Eagles 14 points ahead of the eighth-place Clippers. Under the current system, only seven points separates second from eighth.

The new system gives Chilliwack more breathing room atop the conference, nine points ahead of Surrey. Using the current model, the Chiefs have a seven-point lead over Victoria. Cowichan Valley benefits the most under a 3-2-1 system as the Capitals’ 24 regulation wins are third-most in the conference, bumping them from fifth to third place.

Current Interior Conference standings

TEAM	POINTS PCT	POINTS	REGULATION WINS	GAMES PLAYED
Penticton	.802	77	36	48
Brooks	.760	73	35	48
Trail	.719	69	33	48
Salmon Arm	.635	61	27	48
Sherwood Park	.615	59	29	48
Cranbrook	.596	56	27	47
Okotoks	.468	44	21	47
West Kelowna	.459	45	19	49
Spruce Grove	.415	39	17	47
Vernon	.354	34	14	48
Blackfalds	.250	24	11	48

Adjusted standings in a 3-2-1 point system

TEAM	POINTS PCT	ADJUSTED POINTS
Penticton	.757	109
Brooks	.736	106
Trail	.653	94
Salmon Arm	.597	86
Sherwood Park	.583	84
Cranbrook	.553	78
Okotoks	.433	61
West Kelowna	.421	62
Spruce Grove	.383	54
Vernon	.313	45
Blackfalds	.229	33

The 3-2-1 points model doesn’t have nearly the impact on the BCHL’s Interior Conference this season as it does on the Coastal Conference. Using the new system doesn’t change the standings at all.

In sorting the current standings via points percentage, the only change is that eighth place West Kelowna and ninth place Cranbrook trade places. Interestingly enough, the only change in standings under the new system is the same, with West Kelowna and Okotoks’ points percentages being extremely close.

In both conferences, the same eight teams qualify for the Fred Page Cup playoffs under the adjusted system as they do under the current system when sorted by points percentage.

Image credit: Garrett James Photography