2014 WHL Tie Break and Playoff discussion

[OilerPensfan97]

Raiders and Rebels are facing off in Red Deer on March 18 at 7 MT. Winner gets 8th spot.

http://whl.ca/standings/playoffs/ls_season/246/view/text

Full playoff schedule.

Hitmen vs. Ice series will be aired on Shaw tv.

Click to read more...

 

[sunsoutgunsout]

I've got the Raiders tomorrow night, but I am a PA fan, so take that for what you will. Morrissey and Draisaitl vs. Bartosak

 

[I am the Liquor]

Goaltending wins big games.

Red Deer takes it.

 

[sunsoutgunsout]

Goaltending wins big games.

Red Deer takes it.

Yeah, because that worked out great for the Bruins in the cup final. I hate the defence wins championship thing. The best team wins. Straight up

 

[S E P H]

Goaltending wins big games.

Red Deer takes it.

This, thousand times this.

I want Prince Albert to win, but Red Deer has dominated them this season.


We need some predictions, here are mine.

EAST
1. Edmonton Oil Kings
8. Prince Albert Raiders
Oil Kings win 6; Still a great team and Raiders downfall will be goaltending.

2. Regina Pats
7. Brandon Wheat Kings
Pats win 5; will be a learning curve for a young Wheat Kings team.

3. Calgary Hitmen
6. Kootenay Ice
Ice in 7; Very close IMO, I got Ice with Reinhart, Skapski, Descheneau, Philp, and if they could get back a health Bozon this team is strong.

4. Medicine Hat Tigers
5. Swift Current Broncos
Broncos in 6; How good Valk and Vannelli are, losing Shinkurk hurts while Broncos have a very deep team and I think this could be Laurikainen's coming out party.

WEST
1. Kelowna Rockets
8. Tri-City Americans
Rockets in 4; Tri-City has a young and average team, don't think they have a chance.

2. Portland Winterhawks
7. Vancouver Giants
Hawks in 5; I would consider this series much closer if Winterhawks didn't acquire Dumba, but with him they should be favourites from West, right?

3. Victoria Royals
6. Spokane Chiefs
Royals in 6; Holmberg will give the Royals fits, but I like and prefer Royals established top 6 offensive core. Can get scoring from everyone.

4. Seattle Thunderbirds
5. Everett Silvertips
Silvertips in 7; The match up I am looking forward to the most, love to see what Gropp and Barzal will do in the postseason. Very hard to predict, both teams have a great chance of winning.

 

[I am the Liquor]

EAST
1. Edmonton Oil Kings
8. Prince Albert Raiders
Dust off the broom, Oil Kings roll over PA in four straight.

2. Regina Pats
7. Brandon Wheat Kings
Pats win 7; The best series of the first round.

3. Calgary Hitmen
6. Kootenay Ice
Calgary is too deep, Kootenay is well coached but rely too much on one line for their offense. Hitmen in five.

4. Medicine Hat Tigers
5. Swift Current Broncos
Marek Langhammer shuts the door and Curtis Valk runs riot on a beleaguered Speedy Creek. Tigers in five.

WEST
1. Kelowna Rockets
8. Tri-City Americans
Kelowna is just so much better at every position. Rockets in 4.

2. Portland Winterhawks
7. Vancouver Giants
Portland CheaterHawks in 4. Cant stand this team.

3. Victoria Royals
6. Spokane Chiefs
Not sure about this one, but I think I gotta go with Victoria, theyve proven they are the real deal. Royals in 7.

4. Seattle Thunderbirds
5. Everett Silvertips
Everett plays such a good defensive system. I dont think they have much trouble here tbh. Tips in 6.

 

[MBJets]

This, thousand times this.

I want Prince Albert to win, but Red Deer has dominated them this season.


We need some predictions, here are mine.

EAST
1. Edmonton Oil Kings
8. TBD
Update it after the game.

2. Regina Pats
7. Brandon Wheat Kings
Pats win 5; will be a learning curve for a young Wheat Kings team.

3. Calgary Hitmen
6. Kootenay Ice
Ice in 7; Very close IMO, I got Ice with Reinhart, Skapski, Descheneau, Philp, and if they could get back a health Bozon this team is strong.

4. Medicine Hat Tigers
5. Swift Current Broncos
Broncos in 6; How good Valk and Vannelli are, losing Shinkurk hurts while Broncos have a very deep team and I think this could be Laurikainen's coming out party.

WEST
1. Kelowna Rockets
8. Tri-City Americans
Rockets in 4; Tri-City has a young and average team, don't think they have a chance.

2. Portland Winterhawks
7. Vancouver Giants
Hawks in 5; I would consider this series much closer if Winterhawks didn't acquire Dumba, but with him they should be favourites from West, right?

3. Victoria Royals
6. Spokane Chiefs
Royals in 6; Holmberg will give the Royals fits, but I like and prefer Royals established top 6 offensive core. Can get scoring from everyone.

4. Seattle Thunderbirds
5. Everett Silvertips
Silvertips in 7; The match up I am looking forward to the most, love to see what Gropp and Barzal will do in the postseason. Very hard to predict, both teams have a great chance of winning.

East

Edmonton vs TBA
Edmonton vs Pa Oil Kings 6 games
Edmonton vs Rebels Oil Kings in 5 games

Regina vs Brandon
Wheat Kings in 6 games (Wheat Kings won 5 of 8 in regular season) young Wheat Kings can flat out score goals

Calgary vs Swift Current
Hitmen in 6 games Hitmen very deep team.

Medicine Hat Tiger vs Kootney
Ice in 7 games very close serious

Don't see enough of the west to make picks.

 

[I am the Liquor]

Interesting that the Raiders are starting McBride over Cheveldave.

 

[S E P H]

Interesting that the Raiders are starting McBride over Cheveldave.

I just saw that after watching the Avs/Habs game, Cheveldave has always been a sieve though, even playing behind a load Blazers team a couple years ago.

Raiders really want to win this, see a lot of heart out there.

 

[sunsoutgunsout]

READY FOR MY BIASED AS **** PREDICTIONS?! GO RAIDERS!

Edmonton vs. PA:

PA has played Edmonton well this year, and has the two best players in the series (Yes, all bias aside, I think Morrissey and Draisaitl are better than Reinhart and Lazar). Raiders in six. (Real prediction: Oil Kings in six.)

Regina vs. Brandon:

Another upset. Regina is just a hardnosed, high effort team. I don't think that cuts it against a phenomenally talented Brandon squad. Wheaties in seven.

Calgary vs. Kootenay:

I'm incredibly tempted to take a third upset, as Kootenay has the best player in the league and they're playing for Bozon. But I'll be reasonable, for once. Hitmen in five.

Medicine Hat vs. Swift Current:

I don't think the Tigers are all that special this year. I think Swift's D is. Broncos in four straight.

I don't know a hell of a lot about the West, so these don't really matter much.

Kelowna vs. Tri-City:

LOL. Rockets in four.

Portland vs. Vancouver:

See above. Portland in four.

Victoria vs. Spokane:

I think Holmberg puts his guys on his back here. Chiefs in six.

Seattle vs. Everett:

Seattle I guess? I played with Seattle's goalie growing up, so I'll take them, in seven.

 

[McMozesmadness]

ROUND ONE
EAST
1. Edmonton Oil Kings
8. Prince Albert Raiders
- Edmonton in 5

2. Regina Pats
7. Brandon Wheat Kings
- Brandon in 6

3. Calgary Hitmen
6. Kootenay Ice
- Calgary in 5

4. Medicine Hat Tigers
5. Swift Current Broncos
- Swift Current in 7

WEST
1. Kelowna Rockets
8. Tri-City Americans
- Rockets in 5

2. Portland Winterhawks
7. Vancouver Giants
- Portland in 5

3. Victoria Royals
6. Spokane Chiefs
- Victoria in 7

4. Seattle Thunderbirds
5. Everett Silvertips
- Everett in 4

ROUND TWO
EAST
1. Edmonton Oil Kings
7. Brandon Wheat Kings
- Edmonton in 4

3. Calgary Hitmen
5. Swift Current Broncos
- Calgary in 5

WEST
1. Kelowna Rockets
5. Everett Silvertips
- Everett in 6

2. Portland Winterhawks
3. Victoria Royals
- Portland in 4

ROUND THREE
EAST FINAL
1. Edmonton Oil Kings
3. Calgary Hitmen
- Calgary in 7

WEST FINAL
2. Portland Winterhawks
5. Everett Silvertips
- Everett in 7

ROUND FOUR
WHL FINAL
E. Calgary Hitmen
W. Everett Silvertips
- Calgary in 7

WHL CHAMPIONS: CALGARY HITMEN

 

[spfan]

Edmonton in 5
Brandon in 7
Calgary in 6
Swift Current in 7

Kelowna in 4
Portland in 4
Spokane in 7
Seattle in 7

 

[Boreal01]

Edmonton vs. Prince Albert - Edmonton in 5
Regina vs. Brandon - Brandon in 7
Calgary vs. Kootenay - Calgary in 6
Medicine Hat vs. Swift Current - Swift Current in 6

Kelowna vs. Tri-City - Kelowna in 4
Portland vs. Vancouver - Portland in 7
Victoria vs. Spokane - Victoria in 7
Seattle vs. Everett - Seattle in 4

 

[Hordichuk_24]

Eastern Conference:

8. Prince Albert Raiders vs 1. Edmonton Oil Kings
Oil Kings in 4. If the Raiders are lucky they might be able to squeeze out 1 win but that's about all. Edmonton is far too good. Red Deer would have given the Oil Kings a tougher match.

7. Brandon Wheat Kings vs 2. Regina Pats
Pats in 6. Pats are a more gritty team which is why I think they will come out on top.

6. Kootenay Ice vs 3. Calgary Hitmen
Hitmen in 5. I can't stand watching Kootenay play so I hope Calgary makes quick work of the Ice. That said, Kootenay always seems to hang in there. I could see this series going 6 but regardless Calgary should win.

5. Swift Current Broncos vs 4. Medicine Hat Tigers
Tigers in 6. This series could go the distance. Part of me wants to pick Swift Current to win but my brain is telling me the Tigers will win. I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos can pull of an upset.

Western Conference:

8. Tri-City Americans vs 1. Kelowna Rockets
Rockets in 4. This series will be over very quick. I almost feel bad for the Ams.

7. Vancouver Giants vs 2. Portland Winterhawks
Winterhawks in 4. Giants have no chance against Portland. This was the worst possible match up for them. And without Dalton Thrower they are screwed no matter what. This series will also be over very quickly.

6. Spokane Chiefs vs 3. Victoria Royals
Royals in 7. Unlike many I'm not sold on the Royals being as good as some people claim. I think the Chiefs can really give them a tough time. Everett would have as well so it isn't as though they are worse off playing Spokane. I still think the Royals are a better team than the Chiefs but this series could go either way.

5. Everett Silvertips vs 4. Seattle Thunderbirds
Silvertips in 7. I really want Seattle to win but Everett plays such a boring tight defensive game you can never count them out especially in a playoff series. Kozun has given the Thunderbirds a lot of hope but unfortunately I see the Tips upsetting the T-Birds. I hope the opposite happens and Seattle uses their physicality to wear down Everett. The scheduling in this series is absolutely ridiculous. Kind of takes away from home ice advantage even though Seattle still technically has more home games if it comes down to 7 games.

 

[OilerPensfan97]

Round 1:

(1)Oil Kings vs. (8)PA Raiders: Oil Kings in 5
(2)Pats vs. (7)Wheat Kings: Wheat Kings in 7
(3)Hitmen vs. (6)Ice: Hitmen in 6
(4)Tigers vs. (5)Broncos: Broncos in 6

(1)Rockets vs. (8)Americans: Rockets in 4
(2)Winterhawks vs. (7)Giants: Winterhawks in 4
(3)Royals vs. (6)Chiefs: Royals in 6
(4)Thunderbirds vs. (5)Silvertips: Silvertips in 6

Round 2:

(1)Oil Kings vs. (7)Wheat Kings: Oil Kings in 5
(3)Hitmen vs. (5)Broncos: Hitmen in 7

(1)Rockets vs. (5)Silvertips: Rockets in 6
(2)WinterHawks vs. (3)Royals: Winterhawks in 6

Round 3:

(1)Oil Kings vs. (2)Hitmen: Oil Kings in 7

(1)Rockets vs. (2)Winterhawks: Rockets in 7

Round 4:

(1)Rockets vs. (1)Oil Kings: Rockets in 7


Ed Chenoweth Cup Champions: Kelowna Rockets

 

[arsmaster*]

Give me the favourites in round 1.

I think EDM and CGY play for the East.

I think the west is where the boat will be rocked.

I think Victoria will beat Portland in 7.

I also think Kelowna and Vic will go 7, but Kelowna will pull it out.

Kelowna beats the East champ as well to win the league (I think it will be Calgary, but I'm not 100% decided).

 

[caley]

Boy did Kootenay make Calgary look silly or what tonight?! I know the power-plays were heavily in Kootenay's favour but, to be fair, Calgary really didn't DO enough to draw any PPs anyway. Dominant game by Sam Reinhart.

 

[Rocko604]

If necessary, Edmonton and PA will play one 20 minute overtime period followed by a shootout, instead of straight overtime. This is because their game starts at 1:30pm, and have to be off the ice by 5pm as the Oilers play at 8pm. NHL requires that ice be clear for three hours prior to a game.

Kind of bush league, but aside from starting the series in PA, (2-3-1-1), I don't know what else they could have done since they have to work around the Oilers sched.

 

[JC Numminen]

Oil Kings vs Raiders - Oil Kings in 5
Pats vs Wheat Kings - Wheat Kings in 7
Hitmen vs Ice - Hitmen in 7
Tigers vs Broncos - Tigers in 6

Rockets vs Americans - Rockets in 5
Winterhawks vs Giants - Winterhawks in 5
Royals vs Cheifs - Royals in 6
Thunderbirds vs Silvertips - Thunderbirds in 7

 

[n00bxQb]

Royals winning a tight game. 1-0 at the end of 2.

 

[trckrdr]

Oil Kings in 5
Wheat Kings in 7
Hitmen in 6
Broncos in 7

Rockets in 4
Winterhawks in 4
Royals in 7
Silvertips in 7

 

[S E P H]

Good job Raiders for blowing back to back leads late in games.

 

[I am the Liquor]

Hitmen in a bit of a spot of bother now. Kootenay takes game four 5-4. Backup Wyatt Hoflin comes in in relief and stops all 20 shots he faced. Jaedon Descheneau scored the winner with 51 seconds left in the third. Calgary simply has no answer for that top line, now with the series tied and a goalie the Ice may be able to count on, things could get real dicey for the Hitmen. Great series, great games, if you can catch the rest of the games you really should. They are being broadcast on Shaw.

 

[Hordichuk_24]

Seems like I'm the only person not enjoying that series. Way too much special teams play for my liking. Typically there are less penalties in the playoffs (which is nice) but that hasn't been the case for most of the series league wide so far. Disappointing, IMO.

 

[Rocko604]

Went to the Giants game last night. Giants looked good 5 on 5, but Portland took advantage of their PP. 5-1 at one point, Giants made it 5-3 (including a shorthanded goal) but that was as close as they'd come. 6-3 final. Nice to see them fight back, but they are completely out-skilled, and out-experienced vs the defending champs.