We will be previewing each of the four second-round playoff match-ups in an on-going series. Here we have the matchup between Kelowna and Portland.
For much of the regular season, a frequent topic of discussion was the quality of B.C. Division teams. It was an ultra-competitive division, where it seemed the parity ruled the day. It was also widely accepted that a good team would likely be sent packing after the first round of the WHL playoffs.
Well, let’s make that three good teams, as the Kamloops Blazers, Prince George Cougars and Victoria Royals have all been sent packing. Only the Kelowna Rockets are still standing.
The Rockets (45-22-5-0) dispatched Kamloops in six games, a tight series despite a couple of lopsided results. Kelowna won 2 of 3 games at home and also 2 of 3 games at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops where they had won only once in its last eight visits.
The Portland Winterhawks upset the B.C. Division champion Prince George Cougars, also in six games. The plucky ‘Hawks never really let the Cougars get on track, wreaking havoc for the Cats with its team speed. Timely goaltending from Cole Kehler certainly aided the cause.
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 the 7th seed in the western conference, leading to the matchup with Prince George.
Two weeks into the post-season and the stage is set for this second round battle between the Rockets and Winterhawks, a pair of organizations that have met in the post-season five times in the past seven years. Most recently, the Rockets defeated the ‘Hawks in six games in the 2015 western conference final. Portland eliminated the Rockets the previous season.
During the regular season, Kelowna won the first three games, including two in Portland. The teams split in Kelowna, with Portland earning its victory on a goal with four seconds remaining in the fin al regular season tilt between the teams. Each verdict came down in regulation time and the teams were certainly not afraid to shoot the puck, averaging 39 shots on goal each per game.
The Rockets were the third highest scoring team in the WHL with 283 goals. Portland scored 278. The Rockets gave up 205 goals, while the ‘Hawks surrendered 256.
Both teams were among the best in the entire WHL during the second half of the season, carrying significant momentum into the playoffs. Kelowna finished the regular season going 9-1 in its last ten games. Portland went 8-2.
Dillon Dube (4-2; 6) was the Rockets best forward against Kamloops. The Cochrane, Alberta native seems to have found another gear, bursts of speed that kept the Blazers defensive corps on it collective heels. Reid Gardiner (5-1; 6) is getting plenty of shots on goal. He is the Rockets most dangerous shooter. Defenceman Cal Foote continues to live up to the 2017 NHL Draft hype, playing play big minutes during the post season.
The Rockets possess a very deep and experienced top-nine group of forwards. The Calvin Thurkauf-Reid Gardiner-Nick Merkley trio is always dangerous, though Kamloops seemed to find a way to tame Merkley and Thurkauf. Since his return to the lineup, import forward Tomas Soustal has had a big impact alongside Dube and Carsen Twarnyski. Veteran Rodney Southam helps create space for leading scorer Kole Lind and 16-year-old rookie Nolan Foote.
Portland may have built a reputation as a one line team with Keegan Iverson, Cody Glass and Skyler McKenzie all scoring 70 or more points. With P.G. concentrating their best defenders on these three, it was the depth forwards that ended up making the difference. The line of Ryan Hughes, Alex Overhardt and Evan Weinger chipped in four goals over the six games and the line of Joachim Blichfeld, Matt Revel and Colton Veloso added six. Add in a goal from Brad Ginnell and the other three lines outscored the top one 11-5. They will need to have that depth continue pitching in for them as the Glass line will continue drawing all the tough match ups. If they do continue chipping in, Kelowna could have their hands full as it certainly appears that Glass and co. have not played their best hockey yet.
Caleb Jones added six assists in the first round, but it was his timely and aggressive defensive plays that stood out against P.G. He set the tone by reading plays and jumping into passing lanes. This led to odd-man rushes the other direction, which is something Portland has thrived on in both Mike Johnston eras.
|
Portland |
vs. |
Kelowna |
|
1-3 |
Record |
3-1 |
|
11 |
Goals For |
16 |
|
16 |
Goals Against |
11 |
|
156 |
Shots For |
156 |
|
156 |
Shots Against |
156 |
|
4 for 22 (18.2%) |
PP |
5 for 18 (27.8%) |
|
13 of 18 (72.2%) |
PK |
18 of 22 (81.8%) |
|
0 |
Fights | 0 |
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)
Portland: Caleb Jones (EDM, ’16)
Keys to Win
As always, expect special teams to play a role in the outcome.
Kelowna did not give up a shorthanded goal during the regular season, but that changed when Kamloops scored a shorty in game five of the first round series. The Rockets penalty killing against Kamloops was simply superb, shutting down the Blazers on 31 of 32 opportunities.
Kamloops was able to pressure the Rockets defence in a pair of games, forcing uncharacteristic turnovers. Portland may have studied this and could be looking to creates the same type of mayhem in the attacking zone.
Portland’s road power play continues to outperform its home one in the post-season like it did in the regular season. After finishing at 10 percent higher during the year, it’s 16 percent higher in the playoffs at 36.4 percent. Utilizing this odd stat to its advantage could allow them to steal a game or two in the Okanagan and that could be the difference.
Weathering the emotions of the game, continues to be a big key for Portland. If a goalie is making a bunch of saves on them and they have not found a way to beat him, they can press too hard and turn the puck over in their own zone, leading to a bigger deficit. On the other side, a two or three-goal lead can disappear on Portland in a hurry, once they get one past the netminder.
The goaltending matchup is compelling. Many prognosticators have suggested that goaltender Michael Herringer is the Rockets weakness. However, he is the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Month.
The Comox, BC native was outstanding against Kamloops, fashioning a 2.00 goals against average and .928 save percentage against the Blazers. He also earned two shutouts, one at home and one in Kamloops.
Cole Kehler had some struggles early on in his junior career, but seems to have found a home in Portland.
He’s huge, checking in at 6’4, 205 pounds. The WHL Goaltender of the Week during the final week of regular season play, Kehler’s playoff numbers are not awe-inspiring, but he was plenty efficient against Prince George during the first round. His ability to rebound from a poor outing and make adjustments was a big key to Portland’s round one upset.
Injuries
Kelowna and Portland are both healthy.
Pick: The Rockets haven’t done much of anything the easy way this season. This is a series they should perhaps dominate in many regards, but they will face a well-coached and energetic group from Portland. It says here that Kelowna moves on, but the Winterhawks will make them work…very…hard. Kelowna in 6.
| Game | Date | Home | Time (Local) | Rink |
| 1 | April 7 | Kelowna | 7:05 | Prospera Place |
| 2 | April 8 | Kelowna | 7:05 | Prospera Place |
| 3 | April 11 | Portland | 7:00 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| 4 | April 12 | Portland | 7:00 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| 5* | April 14 | Kelowna | 7:05 | Prospera Place |
| 6* | April 16 | Portland | 7:00 | Veterans Memoiral Coliseum |
| 7* | April 18 | Kelowna | 7:05 | Prospera Place |
| * if necessary |
Editor’s Note: Brandon Rivers contributed to this article.
