After a year away, the Penticton Vees returned to the top of the BCHL for the third time in four seasons, holding off Vernon by three points. Penticton was good early, going unbeaten in its first nine games, but took control once the calendar turned to 2018, posting an 18-3-1-1 record after Jan. 1. The Vees were near the top of the league at both ends of the ice, finishing tied for third with 216 goals scored, and second with 130 goals allowed. Veteran captain Owen Sillinger led the way up from, taking sixth in the BCHL scoring race with 67 points, while goaltender Adam Scheel was a workhorse between the pipes; he finished third in games played (45) and led the BCHL in wins (29) while posting the second-best goals-against average (2.08).

PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS
Interior Division
1) Penticton Vees vs. WC2) Coquitlam Express
2) Vernon Vipers vs. WC1) Salmon Arm Silverbacks
3) Wenatchee Wild vs. 6) Merritt Centennials
4) Trail Smoke Eaters vs. 5) West Kelowna Warriors

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

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

FINAL STANDINGS (W-L-OTL-T)
Interior Division
Penticton – 86 points (40-12-3-3)
Vernon – 83 points (39-14-1-4)
Wenatchee – 79 points (37-16-4-1)
Trail – 69 points (32-21-4-1)
West Kelowna – 59 points (28-27-2-1)
Merritt – 55 points (24-27-5-2)
Salmon Arm – 54 points (25-29-3-1)

Island Division
Victoria – 72 points (32-18-4-4)
Nanaimo – 70 points (32-20-3-3)
Powell River – 68 points (29-19-6-4)
Alberni Valley – 43 points (17-32-5-4)
Cowichan Valley – 27 points (10-41-5-2)

Mainland Division
Prince George – 74 points (33-17-4-4)
Langley – 63 points (25-20-10-3)
Surrey – 62 points (26-22-8-2)
Chilliwack – 58 points (26-26-3-3)
Coquitlam – 35 points (15-38-1-4)

LEADING SCORERS
Jasper Weatherby (Wenatchee) – 37G 37A 74P
Ty Westgard (Surrey) – 15G 55A 70P
Jamie Rome (Victoria) – 22G 47A 69P
Cooper Zech (Wenatchee) – 11G 58A 69P
John Wesley (Surrey) – 37G 31A 68P 

LEADING GOALTENDERS
Ty Taylor (Vernon) – 25-5-3, 1.87 GAA, .931 SV%, 7 SO
Adam Scheel (Penticton) – 29-12-3, 2.08 GAA, .927 SV%, 3 SO
Anthony Yamnitsky (Vernon) – 16-10-1, 2.11 GAA, .919 SV%, 3 SO
Evan DeBrouwer (Prince George) – 26-14-4, 2.24 GAA, .920 SV%, 3 SO
Austin Roden (Merritt) – 12-11-3, 2.40 SV%, .931 SV%, 2 SO

LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE
2017 (Penticton Vees – fourth place)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES
30 (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
2016 (West Kelowna Warriors)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
13 (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)