We will be previewing each of the eight first-round playoff match-ups in an on-going series. First up we have the two-three series in the Central Division bracket. Next on the docket is the other series in the Central Division bracket between the top-seed Medicine Hat Tigers and first wild-card Brandon Wheat Kings.
The Central Division Champion Medicine Hat Tigers will have home-ice advantage over the defending WHL Champion Brandon Wheat Kings in their first-round series. Brandon finished in the first wild-card spot by virtue of their 31-31-7-3 record through the regular season. This was just two points ahead of the second wild-card Calgary Hitmen. Medicine Hat enters the playoffs as the second overall team in the Western Hockey League after posting a 51-20-1-0 regular season record.
Chad Butcher led the way for the Tigers in the season series with the Wheat Kings. He had (2G,4A)six points in the four games. Four Medicine Hat Tigers had four points each against Brandon. Defenseman David Quenneville scored three points(2G,1A) despite only playing in two games. For the Wheat Kings, Stelio Mattheos potted five points (2G,3A) in just three games while Reid Duke added three(3G,0A). Kale Clauge led the team’s blue-liners with three points(0G,3A).
Michael Bullion and Nick Schneider split the four games in the series for the Tigers. Bullion held the advantage going 2-0-0-0 with a 2.00 Goals against average and a .917 save percentage. Logan Thompson played in three of the four games for the Wheat Kings. He had a record of 1-2-0-0 including a 3.68 goals against average and a . 913 save percentage.
| BDN | MH | |
| 1-3-0-0 | Record | 3-1-0-0 |
| 12 | Goals For | 17 |
| 17 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 109 | Shots For | 164 |
| 164 | Shots Against | 109 |
| 6 for 13 (46.1%) | PP | 5 for 22 (22.7%) |
| 17 of 22 (77.3%) | PK | 7 of 13 (53.8%) |
| 2 | Fights | 2 |
NHL Drafted Players:
Medicine Hat: Matt Bradley (MTL ’15), John Dahlstrom (CHI ’15), David Quenneville (NYI ’16). Nick Schneider signed as a free agent with Calgary last summer.
Brandon: Tanner Kaspick (STL ’16), Kale Clague (LA ’16). Reid Duke has also been signed as a free agent b Las Vegas.
Keys to the series:
Brandon will need to exploit the Medicine Hat goaltending duo of Michael Bullion and Nick Schneider to have a chance at overcoming a very offensive minded Tigers squad. They do have a lot of experience on this team, having made back-to-back trips to the WHL Final and a trip to the Memorial Cup last season. Nolan Patrick will need to play the best hockey of his WHL career and carry this squad on his shoulders. There have been signs that he is capable of this but
Medicine Hat needs to continue to score at will, posting just three goals less than the league leading Regina Pats (350). Staying healthy on the back end, as well as hoping to return Ty Schultz and Kristians Rubins will be key for the Tigers to remain one of the teams expected to advance in the tournament. Overage d-man Clayton Kirichenko has taken his game to another level in the absence of those blue liners more known for providing offence. He had 11 points over his last eight games in the regular season.
Health issues:
Medicine Hat may be without the services of Ty Schultz and Kristians Rubins on the back end to start the series. The Tigers played well this season despite having their top three defensemen out for long stretches.
Brandon looks to ice an entire lineup of starters which has been rare for the team this season. Injuries have played a part in their place in the standings, especially the first half in which Nolan Patrick was unavailable to play for the team. Patick has played in just 33 games this season.
Pick:
Medicine Hat in five games.
