We will be previewing each of the eight first-round playoff match-ups in an on-going series. Here we have the series in the western conference bracket between Prince George and Portland.
A few weeks ago it was unimaginable that the Prince George Cougars (45-21-3-3) would finish any lower than first place in the B.C. Division as they held a 15-point lead on the eventual runner–up, the Kelowna Rockets.
However, Prince George had to take the Kamloops Blazers to overtime at the CN Centre in the final game of the season to garner the point in the standings that would earn the organization its first ever division title. With the division championship, the Cougars claimed the 2nd playoff seed in the western conference.
Portland (40-28-1-3) lost its final game of the season and slipped to fourth place in the U.S. Division, one point behind the Tri-City Americans. The Winterhawks earned the first wild card berth and are the 7th seed in the western conference.
The teams met four times this season with the Winterhawks earning a slight edge due to a shootout loss in Prince George during the second game of a doubleheader in mid-January. Portland went 2-1-0-1 for five points, while the Cougars 2-2 record netted four points.
Portland’s 6-3 win at home in late November was the most decisive win between the teams as the other three games were decided by one goal. Both teams have played well of late, with Prince George 7-2-1-0 in its last ten games. Portland went 8-2.
Jesse Gabrielle (35-29; 64) and Brad Morrison (21-31; 52) both missed 11 games this season, but contribute in all situations. Jansen Harkins (21-51; 72) lead the team in scoring and needs a big post-season to earn a NHL contract from the Winnipeg Jets. Offence from the back end will be important and a healthy Brendan Guhle (15-18; 33) can wreak havoc for the Cougars.
As for Portland, the line of Skyler McKenzie, Cody Glass and Keegan Iverson has been the driving force all season. They always seem to dominate possession for many of their shifts. Whether they get any goals from these looks will make or break the Hawks. If Ty Edmonds can get in their head by making some big saves on these chances, they have the tendency to start looking for the pretty goal and trying to pick corners. That never works out well for Portland. Iverson is a big-bodied winger with WHL final and Memorial Cup experience. He is an emotional leader and has the ability to puts his team on his back. He also gets quite involved in after-the-whistle shenanigans and can get under the skin of his opponents. With Raodovan Bondra and Nikita Popugaev being susceptible to being thrown off their game, this could be how Portland keeps them off the scoreboard.
Caleb Jones is a game-breaker as he has shown with end-to-end rushes and key plays in all areas of the ice. This is his last kick at the can in the WHL as an NHL-drafted and signed prospect and he will be all over the ice. He is outspoken on social media when it comes to guaranteeing wins and he could go there again if Portland is facing elimination.
The Cougars went 4-for-19 on the power play and also scored once shorthanded against the Winterhawks. Portland was 4-for-14 on the power play.
The distance between the two cities is 1,177 kilometres (731 miles). The 13 ½ hour drive does not include the border crossing, nor does it account for traffic. It’s no wonder the Winterhawks lobbied for a 2-3-2 series configuration. However, the traditional 2-2-1-1-1 set up will rule the day.
|
Prince George |
vs. |
Portland |
|
2-2 |
Record |
2-1-0-1 |
|
14 |
Goals For |
19 |
|
19 |
Goals Against |
14 |
|
168 |
Shots For |
151 |
|
151 |
Shots Against |
168 |
|
4 for 19 (21.0%) |
PP |
4 for 14 (28.6%) |
|
10 for 14 (71.4%) |
PK |
15 for 19 (78.9%) |
|
1 |
Fights |
1 |
NHL Drafted Players
Prince George: Jesse Gabrielle (BOS, ’15), Brendan Guhle (BUF, ’15); Sam Ruopp (CBJ, ’15), Josh Anderson (COL, ’16), Brad Morrison (NYR, ’15), Tate Olson (VAN, ’15), Jansen Harkins (WPG, ’15), Radovan Bondra (CHI, ’16)
Portland: Caleb Jones (EDM, ’16)
Keys to the Series
Prince George scored 51 times on the power play on 290 chances this season and added nine shorthanded tallies, good for 17th place in the WHL’s power play efficiency rankings. Based on its high-octane roster, the power play performance has been terrible.
Portland scored 73 goals on 294 opportunities and scored 10 shorthanded goals, finishing fifth in the league in power play efficiency. Key to this is their effectiveness on the road, where the ‘Hawks produced at a 30.2% clip.
And which netminder will emerge during the series? Which one will have to emerge?
Ty Edmonds is a 20-year-old and a team leader in PG. He has committed to the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns of the CIS for next season, but has no interest in his junior career ending anytime soon. Nick McBride is a capable backup and is the Cougars’ heir apparent.
In Portland, the Winterhawks moved out Michael Bullion this season and will go as far as Cole Kehler can lead them. Kehler carried the load with 56 appearances and is the reigning WHL Goalie of the Week. He’s huge and this attribute might force the Cougars into trying to pick too many corners. If Kehler stands tall, PG will be in trouble. Shane Farkas is the number two, arriving near mid-season after a stint in the BCHL.
Prince George is capable of dominating territorial play with efficient puck-moving defenceman and skilled forwards. Shot selection will be important and the Cats simply have to find a way to finish. The Cougars are terrific frontrunners, going 36-1-2-1 when leading after two periods.
Injuries
Both teams are pretty much 100% healthy. Portland forward Evan Weinger, a speedster and a bit of a brute, is back after nursing an upper body injury. For Prince George, veteran forward Brad Morrison is ready to go.
Pick: Prince George in 7.
|
Game |
Date | Home | Time (Local) |
Rink |
|
1 |
March 24 | Prince George | 7:00 |
CN Centre |
|
2 |
March 26 | Prince George | 5:00 |
CN Centre |
|
3 |
March 29 | Portland | 7:00 |
Veterans Memorial |
|
4 |
March 30 | Portland | 7:00 |
Veterans Memorial |
|
5* |
April 1 | Prince George | 7:00 |
CN Centre |
|
6* |
April 3 | Portland | 7:00 |
Veterans Memorial |
|
7* |
April 5 | Prince George | 7:00 |
CN Centre |
| * if necessary |
(Editor’s Note: Brandon Rivers contributed to this article.)
