It's worth noting that the four remaining teams are also the four best teams in the league since the trade deadline (Calgary: .821; Brandon: .767; Kelowna: .767; Vancouver: .756). Saskatoon and Tri-City were better teams than Brandon and Kelowna overall, but not since January 10th. Who says October wins mean the same as March wins?
#3 Brandon vs #1 Calgary:
I don't think I gave Calgary enough credit against Lethbridge, picking them in six when a serious analysis of the rosters would have shown Calgary was eons better. Which is what the end result of that series ended up demonstrating. I won't make that mistake again. Brandon is a little bit like Lethbridge (I think Brandon is close to what Lethbridge could have been if the Canes hadn't been so dysfunctional this year) in that they have some impressive snipers up front and a couple pretty good defencemen. But like Lethbridge, the overall depth of Brandon's blueline is just not comparable to the Hitmen's, nor is the goaltending. Both teams have probably three full forward lines that can score but the difference in this series is going to be that the Hitmen will almost always be able to have two of Plante, Postma, Seabrook, and Stone on the ice, while the Wheat Kings can only have their comparable guys (Aulie, Robak) out there half the time. Defence wins games in the playoffs. The Hitmen also have a sizeable edge in net, and they enjoyed great success against Wheat King goaltender Andrew Hayes this year - 4.04 GAA, .833 sv% in four games. For Brandon to win the series, they are going to need Hayes to play out of his mind in shutting down the Hitmen attack. I can't see it.
Next year, watch out for Brandon. But this year, overall Calgary is too strong. Hitmen in five.
#3 Kelowna vs #1 Vancouver:
This is by far the toughest series to pick so far this year, simply because there isn't a whole lot separating these two teams. They both have two strong scoring lines with lots of secondary offence as well, they both have a couple top-end defencemen with plenty of supporting depth at that position too, and they both have strong goaltenders....although Kelowna's is still a little less battle-tested than Vancouvers. Vancouver has home-ice advantage and one of the best coaches the WHL has ever seen. Kelowna has been a better team since the trade deadline and are a bit more rested than the Giants, who just finished a grueling 8.5 game series with Spokane. Kelowna is considerably bigger than Vancouver, but the Giants are older and have significantly more playoff experience. It all adds up to a pretty evenly matched series which is awfully difficult to predict....but I believe defence wins games in the playoffs, and Vancouver showed all season and in the Spokane series that they can play the close, low-scoring games as well as anyone. The Giants also have more experience, the better goaltender, home ice advantage, and the best coach.
It all adds up....Giants in seven.
3 comments:
As per your comment re: Shaw showing Vancouver/Kelowna all I can say is yea!....we get to watch the Giants trap for another 7 games. Effective but the most boring team in the league.
Calgary and Brandon have the two most dominant offences in the playoffs and would be a treat to watch. But we get to watch those two homers again.
Ya, its sooo much better watching Calgary dismantle Brandon. 7-0 half way through the game.
At least we will see a competitive series.
But if the Giants lose the series, who will the Shaw broadcasters cheer for?
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