It’s safe to say we have reached the stretch drive of the WHL season. We have one month left in the regular season and there are lots of battle for playoff positions. Let’s take a closer look at those clubs’ strength of schedule to see who could have the advantage going down the stretch.
*Revised
BC Division
Prince George is in 1st place, 6 points ahead of Kamloops who are 4 points ahead of Kelowna who is 4 points ahead of Victoria.
The Cougars strength of schedule (SOS) is .553 and have 5 games remaining with the Blazers, 2 with the Rockets and none with the Royals.
The Blazers SOS is .578 and have 5 games left with the Cougars, 1 with the Rockets and 2 with the Royals.
The Rockets SOS is .554 and have 2 games left with the Cougars, 1 with the Blazers and 2 with the Royals.
The Royals SOS is the easiest in the division at .534 and have no remaining games against the Cougars, 2 with the Blazers and 2 with the Rockets.
US Division
A couple of races to look into in this division. Everett has a 1 point lead on Seattle for 1st place and also have a game in hand.
The Silvertips SOS is .574, the Thunderbirds SOS is at .577. They have 3 head-to-head meetings remaining.
Tri City is in 3rd place, 4 points ahead of Portland with the Winterhawks having 2 games in hand.
The Americans have a tough SOS at .593, the Winterhawks SOS is .580. They have 2 head-to-head meetings.
West Wild Cards
Portland is 8 points ahead of Spokane for the 2nd wild card spot.
Winterhawks SOS is .580, the Chiefs have the most difficult SOS at .609 and they have 2 head-to-head meetings remaining.
Victoria is 1 point ahead of Portland for the 1st Wild Card spot.
The Royals SOS is .534, the Winterhawks SOS is .580 and they do not play each other the rest of the regular season.
Central Division
Medicine Hat has clinched a playoff spot and are 8 points ahead of Lethbridge for 1st place in the division. The Hurricanes have 1 game in hand.
The Tigers SOS is .518, the Hurricanes SOS is .516 and they play each other in the last 2 games of the regular season.
Red Deer is in 3rd place in the division 5 points ahead of Calgary and the Hitmen have 2 games in hand. Red Deer has the easiest of all remaining schedules.
The Rebels SOS is .491, the Hitmen SOS is .526 and they have 3 head-to-head meetings remaining.
East Division
Moose Jaw is in 2nd place in the division, 7 points ahead of Swift Current with the Broncos having 2 games in hand.
The Warriors SOS is .571, the Broncos SOS is the toughest in the East Conference .578 and they play each other 3 more times.
Swift Current is 5 points ahead of Brandon for 3rd place in the division and the Broncos have a game in hand.
The Broncos SOS is at .578, the Wheat Kings SOS is at .577 and they have 1 more head-to-head meeting.
East Wild Cards
Saskatoon is 3 points ahead of Calgary for the 2nd Wild Card spot.
The Blades SOS is .519, the Hitmen SOS is .526 and they play each other 2 more times.
