Who finishes first in the U.S. Division isn’t the only thing that’s still to be determined as the WHL enters the final week of its regular season.
The battle between the Everett Silvertips and Portland Winterhawks for first place in the U.S. Division, in which the teams are virtually tied based on winning percentage, has dominated the headlines locally. However, there’s still several other races that could provide equal drama over the season’s final six days.
Perhaps the most intriguing is the race for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference, with four teams still in play.
Three of those teams are in the B.C. Division, where the third guaranteed playoff berth is still up for grabs. Prince George currently holds the position with 63 points, but the Cougars are only two points ahead of Kamloops, with both teams having three games remaining. Whoever prevails will face B.C. No. 2 Victoria in the first round of the playoffs and avoid having to face B.C. Division champion Kelowna.
The drama spreads into the wild-card race, too, as Tri-City and Vancouver are also part of that battle. Tri-City currently occupies the final wild-card spot, but the Americans are tied in points with Kamloops at 61 — though Tri-City has one game in hand. Vancouver still theoretically has a chance, but the Giants would need to win their two remaining games and have both Tri-City and Kamloops lose all their remaining games in regulation to force a tie. A tie for the last playoff spot would result in a one-game playoff.
In the Eastern Conference, the Central Division is just as tight as the U..S. Division. Calgary is in first with 89 points, but Medicine Hat is just one point behind, and even Red Deer has an outside shot with 84 points. All three teams have three games remaining.
The third guaranteed spot in the East Division is also still in play, though Swift Current is in good shape with a four-point lead over Moose Jaw. Both teams have three games remaining.
Kelowna in the Western Conference and Brandon in the Eastern Conference have had the top seeds locked up for some time. However, both still can win the Scotty Munro Trophy for the league’s best record. Brandon has 109 points, two more than Kelowna, and both teams have three games remaining.
Around the WHL
Victoria’s Taylor Crunk has been charged by Victoria police with assault causing bodily harm. The 19-year-old forward was charged based on an incident that took place during a New Year’s Eve party. He’s scheduled for a court hearing on May 14. … Vancouver will host the 2016 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. The game, which features the top draft-eligible players from across the WHL, OHL and QMJHL, will be Jan. 28. … Calgary’s Adam Tambellini signed an entry-level contract with the NHL’s New York Rangers. The Rangers selected the 20-year-old forward in the third round of the 2013 NHL draft. … Edmonton’s Ashton Sautner signed an entry-level contract with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. The 20-year-old defenseman was a free agent. … Portland’s Oliver Bjorkstrand was named the WHL Player of the Week. The 19-year-old forward had five goals and six assists as the Winterhawks went 2-1-0-1. It was the fourth time Bjorkstrand won the award this season.
Leaders
Points — Oliver Bjorkstrand (Portland) 108; goals — Bjorkstrand 57; assists — Trevor Cox (Medicine Hat) 78; penalty minutes — Keegan Kanzig (Calgary) 164; wins — Jordan Papirny (Brandon) 42; goals against average — Carter Hart (Everett) 2.24; save percentage — Adin Hill (Portland) .923.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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