First round picks

Playoffs start tonight with six games, so that means it's time for some fearless predictions....

Eastern Conference:

#1 Saskatoon vs #8 Prince Albert: the Raiders had to scrap right down to the last week of the season to clinch a playoff spot. Saskatoon had long wrapped up first overall before then, and ended the season averaging one more goal for and one less goal against per game than the Raiders did. The Raiders have no chance in this one - Saskatoon in four.

#2 Red Deer vs #7 Edmonton: Edmonton made big strides this year and look like a team that could make some noise in a year's time. They didn't take quite as big strides as Red Deer did though, as the Rebels have completed the transformation from a team that missed the playoffs two years in a row (2008, 2009) to 2nd place overall this year. They are also the top defensive team in the league by quite a margin, and defence wins games in the playoffs, as we all know. Red Deer in five.

#3 Medicine Hat vs #6 Brandon: Brandon has been one of the hottest teams in the league since the trade deadline, scoring goals like crazy and believe me, it is very tempting to use this opportunity to pick an upset. But the Tigers have finished the season very strong as well and I think that while Brandon may have a better offence, the Tigers have better and much more experienced defence and goaltending. I think Brandon may give the Tigers a stiff challenge but in the end the Tigers will prevail. Tigers in six.

#4 Kootenay vs #5 Moose Jaw: As befits a #4 vs #5 matchup, this is the toughest series to predict, IMO. But actually, despite that, it's not really that difficult to decide on a winner. Kootenay has the better group of forward and defencemen, and they are older, bigger, and a lot more experienced. Moose Jaw's ace in the hole? Goaltending, where I give them a big edge with the game-stealing Thomas Heemskerk. But can he steal a series when the Ice are so much better in other areas? I don't see it. Ice in six.



Western Conference:

#1 Portland vs #8 Everett: Portland finished strong and are the #3 overall team in the league. Everett finished dead in the water and scored about 130 fewer goals this year than the Hawks did. This one is a no-brainer. Hawks in four.

#2 Kelowna vs #7 Prince George: You could say Prince George lucked out a bit in the first round - they're the 7th best team in the conference and because of the system, they get to play the 4th best team in the conference instead of the 2nd best. But, Kelowna has been strong down the stretch while the Cougars seemed to peak around Christmastime. And I like the Rockets in almost every roster category as well. Not that hard to pick actually. Rockets in five.

#3 Spokane vs #6 Chilliwack: Chilliwack's last 10-15 games of the season were a very impressive run which moved them from outside the playoff picture all the way up to 6th place - almost 5th place too. Just bad luck on their part that they've been drawn against what might be the best balanced offensively/defensively team in the league. It was a nice run which should build nicely for next year, but they're not going to beat Spokane. Chiefs in five.

#4 Tri-City vs #5 Vancouver: two teams that stumbled a little bit late in the season - Tri-City had a stretch of the blahs which caused them to fall off the pace in the race for #1, and Vancouver was debilitated by injuries and lost 8 or 9 in a row at one point. All that aside, it may be a #4 vs #5 series but I found this one easier to handicap than some of the other Western series. I hate to bet against a Don Hay team but I can't see the Giants pulling this one off. Tri-City in six.

Yes, I picked the favourite (higher seed) in every series. Predictable, I know. I just don't see the potential for a lot of upsets this year; in my view the top 3-4 teams in both conferences are clearly superior to those in the lower half of both playoff brackets. The 2nd round should be much more interesting this year.

Thoughts from readers?