It’s a beautiful time of year isn’t it? Sure, for Hurricanes followers being apart of the playoff party would make things a little bit better. However, the pain is eased somewhat considering the fact we have known for some time that hockey in late March would not be taking place this year in our fair city. I think these 2010 playoffs have the makings of being pretty special. There are a number of very intriguing matchups in the opening round, and some potential duels that have the makings of being spectacular! Before each round, I’ll provide an overview of each Best of 7 and offer my prediction:Eastern Conference
Calgary (1) vs. Moose Jaw (8)
The Hitmen are red hot at exactly the right time. First year Head Coach Mike Williamson has his team doing just about everything right heading into the playoffs. Calgary has gone 13 straight without a loss in regulation time. No goaltender is more on top of his game right now than Martin Jones. Brandon Kozun wrapped up the scoring title by scoring four points on the last day of the regular season to edge out Hockey Canada’s poster boy Jordan Eberle. Michael Stone is among the top five d-men in the WHL. Although the trade deadline deal with Kamloops took some time to materialize, there’s noone in Cowtown questioning Kelly Kisio’s move now. Hitmen roll in this one.
Calgary in 4.
The Hitmen are red hot at exactly the right time. First year Head Coach Mike Williamson has his team doing just about everything right heading into the playoffs. Calgary has gone 13 straight without a loss in regulation time. No goaltender is more on top of his game right now than Martin Jones. Brandon Kozun wrapped up the scoring title by scoring four points on the last day of the regular season to edge out Hockey Canada’s poster boy Jordan Eberle. Michael Stone is among the top five d-men in the WHL. Although the trade deadline deal with Kamloops took some time to materialize, there’s noone in Cowtown questioning Kelly Kisio’s move now. Hitmen roll in this one.
Calgary in 4.
Brandon (2) vs. Swift Current (7)
The Wheat Kings were the top team in the WHL during the regular season losing only six games in regulation time in 36 outings. They understand the fact that at the end of the day, to be crowned Memorial Cup Champions someone is going to have to beat them at the Keystone Centre. I don’t see Swift Current winning in this building in Round One. Couple that with the fact, the Broncos will play their home games at the Brandt Centre in Regina, because the Women’s Curling Championships will be taking place in their building, this is a real tough matchup. Cody Eakin is the Broncos best player, he’s a real beauty who scored 47 times this year and I think will be a key part of Canada’s team at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championship. However, alone he’s not enough. The Wheat Kings boast 8 of the top 11 +/- players in the WHL. That’s unheard of. Colby Robak was +56. They are way too deep for Swift, this one finishes fast.
Brandon in 4.
The Wheat Kings were the top team in the WHL during the regular season losing only six games in regulation time in 36 outings. They understand the fact that at the end of the day, to be crowned Memorial Cup Champions someone is going to have to beat them at the Keystone Centre. I don’t see Swift Current winning in this building in Round One. Couple that with the fact, the Broncos will play their home games at the Brandt Centre in Regina, because the Women’s Curling Championships will be taking place in their building, this is a real tough matchup. Cody Eakin is the Broncos best player, he’s a real beauty who scored 47 times this year and I think will be a key part of Canada’s team at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championship. However, alone he’s not enough. The Wheat Kings boast 8 of the top 11 +/- players in the WHL. That’s unheard of. Colby Robak was +56. They are way too deep for Swift, this one finishes fast.
Brandon in 4.
Saskatoon (3) vs. Red Deer (6)
Red Deer is a sexy underdog for many. I get that and the arguments are valid. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is one of the best 16 year olds we have seen in some time. Darcy Kuemper can win games in goal, and I think Landon Ferraro may have the best of his injury riddled season still ahead of him during these playoffs. However, I can’t see Derek Hulak the Blades 20 year old captain or bench boss and G.M. Lorne Molleken allowing the upset to happen. The Hurricanes stunned Saskatoon in Round One last year and they have been itching to get back into a playoff series ever since. Finally that time is here. Granted the Blades have some serious question marks surrounding their injury list. However, with home ice advantage I think they find a way to get it done. Don’t count on it to be overly convincing, but I just have a feeling they will their way over a playoff inexperienced Rebels club. I look to second year skilled agitator Charles Inglis to be a difference maker in this series.
Saskatoon in 6.
Red Deer is a sexy underdog for many. I get that and the arguments are valid. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is one of the best 16 year olds we have seen in some time. Darcy Kuemper can win games in goal, and I think Landon Ferraro may have the best of his injury riddled season still ahead of him during these playoffs. However, I can’t see Derek Hulak the Blades 20 year old captain or bench boss and G.M. Lorne Molleken allowing the upset to happen. The Hurricanes stunned Saskatoon in Round One last year and they have been itching to get back into a playoff series ever since. Finally that time is here. Granted the Blades have some serious question marks surrounding their injury list. However, with home ice advantage I think they find a way to get it done. Don’t count on it to be overly convincing, but I just have a feeling they will their way over a playoff inexperienced Rebels club. I look to second year skilled agitator Charles Inglis to be a difference maker in this series.
Saskatoon in 6.
Kootenay (4) vs. Medicine Hat (5)
Although it wouldn’t be a huge upset with only one point separating these teams during the regular season, I’ll take the lower seed in this series. The two clubs were 3 and 3 head to head this year. During the middle third of the season no team in the WHL was better than Mark Holick’s Kootenay team. However they have been just so-so down the stretch and I think they will have a tough time finding that same level of consistency in these playoffs. Steele Boomer is a stud in this league, everyone knows what Dustin Sylvester gives you and Brayden Mcnabb is a difference maker. However, beyond that I’m not sold on Kootenay. Medicine Hat has three very good lines and are deeper on the back end. 17 year old goaltender Tyler Bunz I believe is underrated, and I think is ready to make a prime time push.
Medicine Hat in 6.
Although it wouldn’t be a huge upset with only one point separating these teams during the regular season, I’ll take the lower seed in this series. The two clubs were 3 and 3 head to head this year. During the middle third of the season no team in the WHL was better than Mark Holick’s Kootenay team. However they have been just so-so down the stretch and I think they will have a tough time finding that same level of consistency in these playoffs. Steele Boomer is a stud in this league, everyone knows what Dustin Sylvester gives you and Brayden Mcnabb is a difference maker. However, beyond that I’m not sold on Kootenay. Medicine Hat has three very good lines and are deeper on the back end. 17 year old goaltender Tyler Bunz I believe is underrated, and I think is ready to make a prime time push.
Medicine Hat in 6.
Western Conference
Tri-City (1) vs. Chilliwack (8)
The Americans had the second best overall offense during the regular season. They had the Western Conference’s top powerplay, and are pretty deep at all positions. This was a decent bounce back year for the Bruins and I think they have taken steps to get that organization headed in the right direction. Chilliwack avoids getting swept, but that’s it.
Tri City in 5.
The Americans had the second best overall offense during the regular season. They had the Western Conference’s top powerplay, and are pretty deep at all positions. This was a decent bounce back year for the Bruins and I think they have taken steps to get that organization headed in the right direction. Chilliwack avoids getting swept, but that’s it.
Tri City in 5.
Vancouver (2) vs. Kamloops (7)
Just when you think Vancouver may take a step back, Don Hay keeps finding ways to get it done. This guy deserves all of the coaching credit and respect he is given. Guy Charron has added some credibility to the Blazers organization, and will continue to keep this team headed in the right direction. However, the Giants have history and playoff savvy on their side. It’s real tough to match that until you go through the battles. This year will be good for that for the Blazers. Kamloops puts up a fight, but won’t have quite enough.
Vancouver in 6.
Just when you think Vancouver may take a step back, Don Hay keeps finding ways to get it done. This guy deserves all of the coaching credit and respect he is given. Guy Charron has added some credibility to the Blazers organization, and will continue to keep this team headed in the right direction. However, the Giants have history and playoff savvy on their side. It’s real tough to match that until you go through the battles. This year will be good for that for the Blazers. Kamloops puts up a fight, but won’t have quite enough.
Vancouver in 6.
Everett (3) vs. Kelowna (6)
The defending champs find themselves in the role of underdog heading into their first round matchup. Everett is coming off of a wonderful regular season and many are picking them to win the Conference playoff championship. They may, but I think Kelowna’s veteran experience will force the Silvertips to be at their very best in round one. Shane McColgan is the real deal. This sixteen year old rookie is a show stopper and Tyson Barrie is a 30 plus minute a night horse on the back end. Ryan Huska can coach with the best of them and the Bloodoff brothers from Castlegar epitomize what quality playoff guys are all about. Saying all of that Everett may have just a little bit more. The tipping point for me is the goaltenders, and the Tips get the nod from me in that department.
Everett in 7.
The defending champs find themselves in the role of underdog heading into their first round matchup. Everett is coming off of a wonderful regular season and many are picking them to win the Conference playoff championship. They may, but I think Kelowna’s veteran experience will force the Silvertips to be at their very best in round one. Shane McColgan is the real deal. This sixteen year old rookie is a show stopper and Tyson Barrie is a 30 plus minute a night horse on the back end. Ryan Huska can coach with the best of them and the Bloodoff brothers from Castlegar epitomize what quality playoff guys are all about. Saying all of that Everett may have just a little bit more. The tipping point for me is the goaltenders, and the Tips get the nod from me in that department.
Everett in 7.
Spokane (4) vs. Portland (5)
I’d love to watch this first round series in its entirety. Spokane has the leagues top scorer in Kyle Beach and one of the top pivots in the league in Mitch Wahl. Two players who won the World Junior Championship as teammates, will go head to head in this series. Spokane’s Tyler Johnson and Portland’s Luke Walker. The Winter Hawks pulled the trigger on a big move January 10th to acquire a game changing defensemen. Luca Sbisa is that guy and he will anchor the back end for Mike Johnston’s team. Lethbridge’s Brad Ross has been an impact guy for the Hawks all season and looks to carry that shift disturbing play into the post-season. Lastly, Nino Niederreiter has had a great rookie year and has shown at the WJHC he is a big game guy.
Portland in 6.
I’d love to watch this first round series in its entirety. Spokane has the leagues top scorer in Kyle Beach and one of the top pivots in the league in Mitch Wahl. Two players who won the World Junior Championship as teammates, will go head to head in this series. Spokane’s Tyler Johnson and Portland’s Luke Walker. The Winter Hawks pulled the trigger on a big move January 10th to acquire a game changing defensemen. Luca Sbisa is that guy and he will anchor the back end for Mike Johnston’s team. Lethbridge’s Brad Ross has been an impact guy for the Hawks all season and looks to carry that shift disturbing play into the post-season. Lastly, Nino Niederreiter has had a great rookie year and has shown at the WJHC he is a big game guy.
Portland in 6.
Fred Jack is the Colour Analyst on Hurricanes radio broadcasts on CJOC-FM.
Its Silvetips not Silver Tips!
ReplyDeleteActually it's Silvertips with an "r", not Silvetips if you want to get all grammatical and all! Just thought I'd point that out since we're correcting typing mistakes.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Pat
Fred, nice summary, nice research!
ReplyDeleteSo much for Hitmen in 4! Nice job, Moose Jaw!! The Hitmen are so full of themselves thanks to Calgary (and other) media, I am not sure that MJ can win 4, but if MJ goalie Bosch can manage to steal another one in Calgary today, it may end up a sweep in the Can, but by MJ... A VERY tall ask, but it just depends how big the heads of the Hitmen have gotten! I really can't see it happening.
MH vs Koot-
Fred, you say and write some pretty intelligent things from time to time, but from any play that I have seen, Tyler Bunz is no prize, and in fact, he often lets in soft goals. He has done it all year; he sure did against Lethbridge. Sure don't know what you see there, maybe next year!
Also, I thought maybe "rookie sensation" Etem finally figured out at the end of the regular season that there was a defensive zone, but at -2 in their loss, it seems not yet. Until the last month of the season, he played with one of the highest scoring teams of the year and with all his points, on New Year's Day he was still carrying a ZERO plus/minus.
Compare that to team-mates Cameron & Hamilton who both had +/- about +20! So far, Etem is just another fast-skating, Cherry-picking(very skilled) American Showboat that needs to learn how to play defense; a lesson he will need to learn quickly if MH has any chance against the Ice. - Richie.
Attaboy former Cane Dan Iwanski! Scored the game winner in OT for Everett!!
Richie, thanks for your comments and response.
ReplyDeleteWhat a first few nights it has been in these playoffs. Who saw Moose Jaw coming, I sure didn't? What really surprises me is tonights game 2. Calgary, I thought wasn't as good this evening as they were in the opener. You would have thought they would have played with a bit more desparation and found a way to go back to the Crushed Can with a split. Disappointing response after dropping the opener. Even down 0-2, I still can't see them losing. Maybe they'll make me look foolish twice. First, for picking them to sweep and then to rally with 3 of the final 5 on the road. I have to stick by my guns and say they find a way.
Saskatoon started their series off strong. Lorne Molleken will be at his very best in that opening round matchup. I think Jesse Wallin is a a brilliant young coach but this is his first real head coaching post - season venture, maybe some learning and experience needs to take place...
We agree to disagree with Bunz. That's fine. I thought he could be that young goalie to emerge in these playoffs. So far, not so good. Kootenay is playing the way they were a couple of months ago. Good on them for shutting out the high flying Tigers tonight. They are looking very tough early in these playoffs!
A quick final comment tonight on Kyle Beach. So much for a bad leg. His team was in trouble early down 2-0, he gave them life and then provided the heroics with under 90 seconds to go. I really like Portland, but that's a tough way to open things up.
Have a good night everyone,
Fred
Thanks Richie, for your response and quality comments.
ReplyDeleteBoy, who saw Moose Jaw coming? I sure didn't... Still think Calgary finds a way, but it's gonna be real tough.
We agree to disagree with Bunz, that's fine. I thought he could be that young guy to emerge in these playoffs. Real tough loss tonight though. Kootenay has got it going again. Medicine Hat shutout. Go figure? Maybe a 7-5 loss, but a goose egg. I guess that's what makes playoffs great.
Saskatoon was solid tonight. I really like Jesse Wallin, he's a very good coach right now and I think will be a great one not far down the road, but Lorne Molleken has that head guy experience. Good learning year for the Rebels.
How about Kyle Beach tonight? His team down 2-0 early, he puts them on the board, then scores the winner with under 90 seconds to go. Impressive stuff, for a guy alot of Lethbridge fans said couldn't play.
Have a good night everyone!
Fred
saskatoon looked excellent last night.
ReplyDelete