We will be previewing each of the eight first-round playoff match-ups in an on-going series. Here we have an all Okanagan Valley matchup, the series in the B.C. Division bracket between Kelowna and Kamloops.
The Kelowna Rockets (45-22-5-0) parlayed a spectacular second half into a legitimate run for the division title. At one point, the Rockets were 15 points behind, but eventually fell short of the Prince George Cougars, finishing in second place by only one point.
Along the way this season, Kelowna and the Kamloops Blazers (42-24-2-4) met 10 times. There is no love lost between the teams, a familiarity that seems to have bred as much contempt as respect. There may also be a few lingering memories amongst the returning players on both rosters, as the teams went the full seven games, plus overtime in the first round of the playoffs last season. The Rockets prevailed on home ice.
This could be all about close games, but a short series. Or, it could be a long series that includes a handful of blowouts. The Blazers won the 2016-17 regular season series, but much of the damage was done before the Rockets could ice its entire healthy lineup. In fact, Kelowna played approximately 50 of its 72-game schedule with many key players missing due to injury or international play. In the season opener, the Blazers romped to a 9-2 win. Later in the season, Kelowna walked into Kamloops and won, 8-2.
Go figure?
Dillon Dube (20-35; 55) played in only 40 WHL games this season. Calvin Thurkauf (33-37; 70) played in 60 games. Reid Gardiner (18-19; 38) was acquired in a deadline deal and played in 28 games. All three are playing their best hockey of the season. Add leading scorer Kole Lind (30-57; 87) and veteran Nick Merkley (23-40; 63) to the mix and the Rockets present perhaps the most prolific offensive group in the western conference.
Kamloops is also capable if the script requires a run-and-gun approach. Speedster Devin Sideroff (36-42; 78) and 20-year-old Collin Shirley (28-34; 62) have been durable, steady contributors. Rudolfs Balcers (40-37; 77) is a rookie import from Latvia with elite skills. Lane Bauer (36-35; 71), acquired at the trade deadline and Garrett Pilon (20-45; 65) provide more scoring depth.
While the Rockets are probably the deepest team in the WHL along the blueline, Kamloops has a clear edge in goal with the Connor Ingram/Dylan Ferguson tandem. And if the series deteriorates into a physical, pugilistic grind, both teams are well-equipped to handle the rough stuff.
|
Kamloops |
vs. |
Kelowna |
|
6-3-0-1 |
Record |
4-6-0-0 |
|
38 |
Goals For |
26 |
|
26 |
Goals Against |
38 |
|
307 |
Shots For |
344 |
|
344 |
Shots Against |
307 |
|
12 for 57 (21.1%) |
PP |
11 for 50 (22.0%) |
|
39 of 50 (78.0%) |
PK |
45 of 57 (78.9%) |
|
5 |
Fights |
5 |
NHL Drafted / Signed Players
Kelowna: Dillon Dube (CGY, ’16); Nick Merkley (ARI, ’15); Calvin Thurkauf (CBJ, ’16); Reid Gardiner (FA, PIT); Lucas Johansen (WAS, ’16); Devante Stephens (BUF, ’15); Carsen Twarynski (PHI, ’16); Braydyn Chizen. (MIN, ’16)
Kamloops: Connor Ingram (TB, ’16); Rudolfs Balcers (SJ, ’16); Garrett Pilon (WAS, ’16); Devin Sideroff (ANA, ’16); Ondrej Vala (FA, DAL)
Keys to Win
The series could revolve around special teams performance.
Kelowna has garnered much of its second half success in part due to an improved commitment to disciplined play. Early on the Rockets were losing games due to a lack of flow and momentum, frequently caused by untimely penalties. The team discipline improved markedly over the past 20 games.
Even though Kelowna emerged from the regular season as the WHL’s most penalized team, its penalty killing has been outstanding of late. And on the power play, the Rockets are the WHL’s third best in terms of power play efficiency.
Kamloops is the league’s second best team on the penalty kill, in large part to the goaltenders who are often called upon to be a team’s best penalty killer. On the power play, Kamloops is surprisingly unimpressive, 18th overall.
While the Blazers can probably depend on Ingram to keep them in every minute of every game, the Rockets will need goaltender Michael Herringer to be at his best. Although he plays behind an offensive group that averaged just shy of four goals per game, timely saves will be vital.
Injuries
Import forward Tomas Soustal remains sidelined, a lower body injury suffered when he blocked a shot against the Prince George Cougars back on March 1. The burly import had 47 points in 49 games. Of note last season, Soustal scored the overtime winner for Kelowna in game seven of the first round against Kamloops.
Kamloops is healthy, with no major injuries reported. The Blazers rested a handful of key players for its final regular season game, a road trip to Prince George where the visitors prevailed in a shootout.
Pick: Kelowna in 6.
|
Game |
Date | Home | Time (Local) |
Rink |
|
1 |
March 24 | Kelowna | 7:05 |
Prospera Place |
|
2 |
March 25 | Kelowna | 7:05 |
Prospera Place |
|
3 |
March 28 | Kamloops | 7:00 | Sandman Centre |
|
4 |
March 29 | Kamloops | 7:00 |
Sandman Centre |
|
5* |
March 31 | Kelowna | 7:05 |
Prospera Place |
|
6* |
April 2 | Kamloops | 7:00 |
Sandman Centre |
| 7* | April 4 | Kelowna | 7:05 |
Prospera Place |
| * if necessary |
