Race for the Top 4: North Division Playoff Battle Intensifies
The VIJHL North Division playoff race is entering its most dramatic stretch. Oceanside and Nanaimo have all but secured the top two spots, but the fight for third and fourth between Comox Valley Glacier Kings, Campbell River Storm, and Port Alberni Bombers promises fireworks until the final buzzer. With multiple head-to-head matchups remaining, every point matters and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Top four teams qualify for the playoffs. Finishing third instead of fourth means avoiding the top seed in Round 1, a huge advantage.
Comox Valley: Controlling Their Destiny
The Glacier Kings have nine remaining North Division games, six at home. Key matchups include:
- Jan 3 vs Port Alberni – A must-win to keep the Bombers at bay.
- Feb 11 @ Port Alberni – Could be a playoff clincher.
- Feb 28 vs Campbell River – The ultimate decider for third place.
Strength of Schedule Remaining:
Comox Valley has a moderately tough schedule remaining, with their opponents combining for a 53.3% Points Percentage. However this number is slightly skewed due to the fact of their remaining games against the south division are at 56.8% and their remaining North Division games are at 50.8%
Special Teams Factor:
Power play: 17.9% (Rank 7th) | Penalty kill: 82.4% (Rank 4th)
In tight games, special teams could swing the outcome.
Campbell River: Lurking in Fourth
The Storm trail Comox by five points and have seven key games left, including one against Comox Valley. They also have a game in hand currently on the Glacier Kings. If they can win both their game in hand and the last game of the season against the Glacier Kings they will only be a point behind the Glacier Kings.
Strength of Schedule Remaining:
Campbell River has a much easier schedule remaining than the team they are trailing the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Their weighted SoS (Strength of Schedule) is 46.0%. The key for the Campbell River Storm will be to capitalize on the fact that they play Saanich & Kerry Park 3 times each remaining.
Games to Circle:
- Feb 7 @ Port Alberni – A swing game for both teams.
- Feb 28 @ Comox Valley – Potentially the biggest game of the season.
Port Alberni: Fighting for Survival
The Bombers have eight North Division games remaining, but they need near perfection to climb from fifth to fourth. Their schedule includes two games against Comox Valley and two against Campbell River, true do-or-die contests.
Must-Win Games:
- Jan 3 @ Comox Valley
- Feb 7 vs Campbell River
- Feb 11 vs Comox Valley
Strength of Schedule Remaining:
The Bombers’ have the most difficult remaining schedule of the three teams battling for the remaining two playoff spots. Their weighted SoS is 54%. This includes three match-ups against Westshore (78.3% Points Percentage) . They have no remaining games against Kerry Park this season, however three against Saanich, and two against the Kraken. They will likely need to be at least 5-1-0-0 against their final six games versus the Glacier Kings, Storm, Generals & Buccaneers to have a chance at making the playoffs.
Why This Race Matters
The playoff format is simple: Top 4 per division qualify. Round 1 pits 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3, so finishing third instead of fourth means avoiding that top seed.
Bottom Line
Comox Valley controls its destiny but faces a difficult schedule. Campbell River is lurking with the easiest schedule remaining, and Port Alberni is clinging to hope. With multiple head-to-head matchups in January and February, the North Division playoff race promises drama right to the final buzzer.
Stay tuned for more coverage and mark your calendars for Feb 28, when Comox Valley hosts Campbell River in what could be the ultimate showdown for playoff positioning.
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