DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: Warriors @ Blades (0-0) 7 PM MDT
In one of the most highly anticipated series of the first round, the Moose Jaw Warriors head south to Saskatoon to take on the Blades in a two versus three Eastern Division matchup.
The Moose Jaw Warriors finished off the season with a record of 40-20-6-2 for 88 points, just ten behind their first round opponents in the Saskatoon Blades who finished 45-15-8-0 for a total of 98 points.
These teams have met only once in WHL Playoff history, that series came back in 2003 when the Warriors took the series in six games.
This season holds a bit of a different story between the teams, Saskatoon seemingly dominated the season series winning five of six games played against Moose Jaw.
The playoffs are a completely different animal nonetheless, and Saskatoon has next to no playoff experience on the roster as they haven’t made the cut since 2013.
The Warriors come into this one described as “top heavy” by DUBNetwork’s Adam Ehrmantraut.
With the likes of Justin Almeida, rookie forward Brayden Tracey, and Tristin Langan these three potent forwards make up the majority of their club’s offense.
The defense is no fodder either, with names like Josh Brook and Jett Woo on the back end, there is no easy way to the Warriors net.
Since January 13th, the Saskatoon Blades have been on some kind of tear, having only lost twice in regulation.
With the likes of highly touted NHL draft eligible Kirby Dach, and a deep lineup full of scoring ability the Blades are as dangerous as ever. With many unable to predict the outcome of this series, is appears it could be purely dictated by the offense produced and converted against a solid Warriors back end.
Other series starting tonight:
Red Deer Rebels @ Prince Albert Raiders (0-0) 7 PM MDT (READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE)
- With the Rebels barely sneaking into the post season, the Raiders look to throw their weight around to start off the series in their home barn where they’ve been unstoppable all season long. Defenseman Alexander Alexeyev has been ruled out for the series.
Calgary Hitmen @ Lethbridge Hurricanes (0-0) 7 PM MDT (READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE)
- The middle seeds in the Central Division match up tonight in game one of what should be an absolute war of a first round series. Both lineups are littered with playoff experience.
Portland Winterhawks @ Spokane Chiefs (0-0) 7:05 PM PDT (READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE)
- This is the second consecutive year these two teams meet in the first round after finishing in the second and third seeds in the US Division. Last time around, the Winterhawks used their home ice advantage to defeat the Chiefs in seven games.
Kamloops Blazers @ Victoria Royals (0-0) 7:05 PM PDT (READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE)
- With Kamloops coming off a thrilling tie-breaker victory in front of a sold out hometown crowd, they look to use that energy to propel them over the Royals. Historically the Blazers are 2-0 against the Royals in WHL Playoff series since they came into the league.
Seattle Thunderbirds @ Vancouver Giants (0-0) 7:30 PM PDT (READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE)
- With a head to head season series record of 2-2-0-0, the Giants look to put that in the rear view mirror and get down to business after finishing as the top seed in the west.
Tri-City Americans @ Everett Silvertips (0-0) 7:35 PM PDT (READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE)
- Everett won the last three meetings this season against the Americans, only time will tell if they can keep the ball rolling into the playoffs tonight.
