Welcome to the first of many game day previews for the duration of the playoffs. We will take a look at matchups throughout the playoffs and focus in on some players who have made an impact in their series.
Medicine Hat Tigers lead 2-0 in their series with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The series now shifts to Dauphin, Manitoba, the site for the Wheat Kings’ opening round games due to the Manitoba Royal Winter Fair. The Tigers took the first two games by a combined score of 12-5 and out-shot the Wheat Kings 96-51. The story heading into game 3 centres around Nolan Patrick, who has not yet participated in the WHL Playoffs. He is a game time decision, an announcement made by Brandon head coach David Anning. Medicine Hat was able to ice a full lineup in game two, returning Ty Shultz to the lineup after he suffered a lower body injury when blocking a shot a few months ago. Having last change might assist the Wheat Kings in getting better match ups on the ice, but the potent Medicine Hat offence will be difficult to stop. We have not even seen the best of Michael Bullion yet either.
Game 3 heads to Swift Current with the Broncos and Warriors tied at one.
The Broncos waltzed into Mosaic Place as underdogs in the series with the Warriors. This would bode well for them as they would steal game one on the back of a 40 save shut out by starting netminder Jordan Papirny. Swift Current got out to an early lead in game two but it was Moose Jaw that would pull out the victory behind two, third period goals. This sets up for what is likely to be a tightly contested affair. Both teams have combined for just seven goals in 120 minutes of action. Neither team has scored on the power play to this point. Swift Current has had five chances while Moose Jaw has had just four. The referees appear to have put the whistles away and let the boys sort the games out themselves. Swift Current will need goals from other players as Tyler Steenbergen and Glenn Gawdin have counted for three of the four goals thus far. Leading scorer Jayden Halbgewachs has yet to hit the scoresheet for Moose Jaw.
Hitmen look to salvage their season down 2-0 to reigning CHL Number One Pats
The series shifts away from the Brandt Centre in Regina to the massive Calgary Saddledome. Regina has outscored Calgary 10-3 in the first two games and it really hasn’t been close. Calgary has done a good job of staying out of the penalty box thus far but the Regina power play has still gone 2-for-5. Calgary meanwhile is one-for-seven. The usual suspects (Sam Steel and Adam Brooks) are one-two in playoff scoring with six and five points respectively. Tyler Brown has played well and will be relied on for the duration of the Pats’ run. He has a 1.50 GAA and a .939 save percentage through the two games. Calgary is going to need production from their top forwards: Matteo Gennaro (zero points, minus-six rating), Beck Malenstyn (zero points, minus-six) and Jakob Stukel (one assist), as well as, more of a contribution from Jake Bean (one assist, minus-five ) to be able to steal a game while at home.
Kamloops looks to get out of the quicksand at the Sandman down 2-0 to Kelowna
The first game in Kelowna was basically a no-show for Kamloops. They only managed 15 shots and were defeated by a 4-0 score. By the time the Blazers woke up offensively in the third period of game two, it was too little too late. They lost a closer battle at 3-2 and had chances to tie late. Michael Herringer and Connor Ingram have been the stars of the show and we would expect no less for the rest of the series. The two forwards playing in their 20 year old season (Lane Bauer and Collin Shirley) and Anaheim Ducks’ signed 19-year-old Deven Sideroff can’t be happy with their performances to date. They have combined for just zero points. Look for them to grab this team by the reins and guide them to a much better game three.
Series split at one between the Silvertips and the Royals as it shifts to the island
Victoria Royals fans and players alike must be ecstatic with leaving Everett, Washington with home-ice advantage. This was an absolute steal by the white, silver and purple clad Royals. The normally stellar penalty kill for the Silvertips has let them down, killing just three-of-eight Royals’ power plays. The WHL’s Western Conference nominee for Goalie of the Year Carter Hart has looked just average through two games, allowing six goals on 62 shots. Two of the goals in game two came from behind the net. Look for the Everett defence to tighten up on the road. The story for Victoria is spreading around the offense as nine players have at least one point.
