BC Hockey League playoffs return after COVID-19 pandemic caused pause
Posted April 1, 2022 6:15 pm.
Hockey crowds can return to arenas across the province for the BC Hockey League (BCHL) playoffs.
This hasn’t happened since March 8, 2020 when the league shutdown due to COVID-19.
“It’s been over 750 days since we’ve had a playoff game here in Chilliwack, so there is a lot of buzz in our community,” said Barry Douglas, governor of the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The Chiefs open the playoffs Friday hosting the Coquitlam Express.
“Since it’s been such a long time, I think hockey fans are starved to watch some real intense playoff hockey here at the Chilliwack Coliseum.”
GET. HYPED. It all starts tonight. For the first time in two years, playoff hockey is back!#BCHL | #BCHLPlayoffs | @ShawInfo pic.twitter.com/hJWKWljCra
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) March 31, 2022
Douglas expects 2,500 fans for the first game of the series and adds he’s not concerned about COVID-19 safety.
“We’ve been following the PHO rules to a tee and the guidelines. Whatever the rules are, we’ll follow them.
“It’s been very interesting that we’ve had a lot of positive feedback in regards to folks that are really pleased with how we operate our game nights here, and ensure that everyone is safe when they come into the building.”
Fifteen teams from B.C. qualified for the BCHL playoffs, as well as one from Washington state.
The last winner of the Fred Page Cup was the Prince George Spruce Kings in 2019.
