Freddie's Fodder: Round Two Playoff Talk

Calgary (1) vs. Medicine Hat (5)

The Hitmen survived a huge opening round scare from the Moose Jaw Warriors. You can go either way with a result like that if you’re Calgary. Does it make you stronger, or have you shown other teams that there may be some real holes in your shiny armour? For Medicine Hat, I thought they got better as their 6 game series win over Kootenay went on. Goaltender Tyler Bunz is coming into his own, and there’s no question about Medicine Hat’s ability to score. That’s the only real statistical regular season advantage the Tigers enjoyed over the high flying Hitmen. Medicine Hat scored 276 times during the regular schedule compared to Calgary’s nearly equally impressive 269 goals for. The Cats’ big question mark heading into the series is the injury status of Captain Wacey Hamilton. The 19 year old from Cochrane suffered a leg injury late in his teams series clinching win over the Ice. For Medicine Hat, his ability to be a factor in this series is now a major question mark heading in. The Hitmen won 4 of 6 during the regular season, but the last 3 games all went to a shootout. The old barn in Medicine Hat is one of the few buildings around the league that gives you a true home ice advantage, the Tigers need to make the most of that. Brandon Kozun, the leagues top scorer during the regular season is also tops so far in the post-season with 12 points in 7 games. I look for Michael Stone to have a big series, and if he can elevate his play there’s no d-man for the Hat that can match his ability. Medicine Hat will play Calgary tough, but the Hitmen I think are now awake, and will be better off the hop in this series then they were in Round 1.

Calgary in 5.


Brandon (2) vs. Saskatoon (3)

My head is telling me one thing in this series, while my heart is tugging me in the opposite direction. After seeing Saskatoon struggle at times during the final third of the season, I firmly believe Lorne Molleken has his crew completely on track once again. He is the leader of this club but will be missed for the first couple of games on the bench as he sits out the final two games of a 4 game suspension. Derek Hulak epitomizes what a Captain should be. The Blades play a complete team game which is a must for playoff longevity, and I think they have four responsible lines, to go along with six defensemen who all make positive contributions. Combine all that with the fact this team is now starting to get healthier. However, Matt Calvert, Brayden Schenn, Scott Glennie, Travis Hamonic, Colby Robak, the list goes on – these guys are the real deal! You’d think they’re hosting the Memorial Cup or something… Kelly Mcrimmon built this team to win, and win NOW! Any other year, and this Saskatoon team may be good enough to get out of the East, my head is just saying to me a little louder than my heart that they don’t have enough weapons to outlast the Wheaties. Brandon won 5 of 8 during the regular season. Schenn and Calvert combined for 26 points in those head to head meetings.

Brandon in 7.


Tri City (1) vs. Kelowna (6)

The only team I did not successfully pick to win in the opening round was the Kelowna Rockets. They upset the 3rd seeded Everett Silvertips. Tri City was tested but managed to outlast Chilliwack in a pretty good 6 game series. One thing people including me didn’t talk enough about heading into these playoffs is the fact that Kelowna are the defending champions. If you want the title, these guys have to be beat somewhere along the way. A very good Everett team was unable to do it, but maybe an Americans’ team which boasts a little bit more may be able to dethrone the Rockets. Tri City was perfect head to head against Kelowna in four regular season meetings. However, this was a banged up Okanagan based team for a large part of the season. They’re healthy now and have really hit their stride. Mark Guggenberger in goal is looking like the player he was during last years magical run, and how can you argue with Ryan Huska’s career post-season record, as a player, assistant and head coach. He knows how to win. I watched a lot of Kelowna’s first round triumph, and I think when you go into a favored opposition teams building and win in Game 7, you’re foolish if you don’t stand up and take notice. Again here, my head, the numbers and most others are saying Tri City wins, but I’ll go with where my heart is directing me in this series. Upset special of the second round!

Kelowna in 6.


Portland (4) vs. Vancouver (5)

The WHL playoff model has teams re-seeded after round one, as division winners lose their two seed and filter in where their points stacked up against all conference playoff teams. What that means here, is Vancouver now drops from the two seed, down to the number five spot and will not have home ice advantage against Portland in round two. The Hawks have proven they can win on the road, but will need to get better at home in a hurry if they are to advance to the Conference Final. Portland is 4-0 in enemy territory, but 0-3 on home ice so far in these 2010 playoffs. Go figure! However, they advanced against a pretty tough opponent in the Spokane Chiefs. Vancouver looked very tough in cruising past Kamloops in 4 straight games. I’m not sold yet on the Giants inexperienced goaltenders. They will be put to the test in a big way against Portland very early on in this series. This will be a huge measuring stick for Mark Segal to prove if he is truly playoff ready. The two teams split their four head to head regular season meetings. Off the onset of these playoffs I picked Portland to win the West. I’m not about to walk away from that prediction now. This will be a very good series, but the Winterhawks I think find a way to win.

Portland in 7.

Thanks,
Freddie

Fred Jack is the Colour Analyst on Hurricanes Radio broadcasts on CJOC.