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Coquitlam Express set for simulated semifinal against Cowichan Valley

Video simulation of BCHL playoffs will culminate with the Fred Page Cup championship series being posted on April 9
Virtual Coquitlam Express celebrate
The virtual version of the Coquitlam Express celebrate a goal and the team's eventual second-round series win over the Surrey Eagles in seven games in a video game simulation of the BC Hockey League playoffs that started as a project to kill a bit of time between games by the former communications director of the Express, Jacob Lazare. When the actual playoffs were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the league enlisted him to customize the EASport NHL 2020 game for the rest of the teams still in contention so players could contest the remainder of the post-season.

The Coquitlam Express will play the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the BC Hockey League’s virtual semifinals on Thursday.

The Capitals upset the Nanaimo Clippers in its best-of-seven Island division final, four games to two. Earlier, the Express dispatched the Surrey Eagles in seven games in their Mainland division final.

The BCHL is continuing its post-season using digital simulations created in the EA Sports NHL2020 video game by former Express director of communications, Jacob Lazare. The actual playoffs were scrubbed on March 13 — just as they were about to commence the second round — because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The simulations use real performance data and tendencies to rank players on each team, and the game’s artificial intelligence works in the background of the controllers being operated by one player designated for a series by each participating team.

The project originated as a bit of time killer when Lazare and the Express were awaiting their second round opponent after Coquitlam defeated the Langley Rivermen in four straight games when real flesh-and-blood players were still battling on the ice. The Eagles took seven games to upset the Chilliwack Chiefs.

BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said while the video game simulations are a fun distraction, they’re also a way to keep the league’s fans engaged when there’s otherwise no hockey at any level being played anywhere.

Once each series has been contested, a two-minute highlight video complete with commentary from the teams’ play-by-play announcers is posted to the BCHL’s website and YouTube channel.

The other semifinal will pit the Vernon Vipers against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Vernon upset the Penticton Vees, which finished the regular season with 26 more points and atop the Interior division standings, in seven games.

Salmon Arm was also a surprise victor, as they eliminated Trail in six games despite finishing the regular season with 12 fewer points.

The league final for the Fred Page Cup championship trophy will be posted on bchl.ca April 9.

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To read more about how this project came together, go here:

BC Hockey League playoffs are back on (in an EA Sports video game simulation)