Herald writer Jesse Geleynse’s picks for the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs:
Western Conference
Seattle vs. Tri-City
For the second consecutive year, Seattle closed the regular season on a tear, briefly surpassing the Everett Silvertips for the lead in both the U.S. Division and the Western Conference before Everett rallied to claim both titles. The Thunderbirds have been nearly unbeatable at ShoWare Center in the second half and they beat Tri-City six times in eight meetings, although the Americans’ two victories both came in February.
Tri-City lost projected NHL first-round pick Michael Rasmussen for the season, but still have six players who scored 20 or more goals and the Americans boast the fourth-best power play in the league. Nevertheless, the Thunderbirds have the experience, talent and home-ice advantage and it’s tough to see this series lasting long even if Mathew Barzal (illness) doesn’t play for Seattle.
Prediction: Seattle in five games
Prince George vs. Portland
The Cougars are one of the oldest, biggest and most physical teams in the Western Conference and they closed the regular season with three straight wins and seven victories in their final 10 contests to hold off hard-charging Kelowna for the B.C. Division title.
Prince George was perhaps the first team to signal it was “going for it” this year when it acquired defenseman Brendan Guhle from Prince Albert and picked up Radovan Bondra (32 goals, 31 assists) from Vancouver and Nikita Popaguev (29 goals, 40 assists) from Moose Jaw at the trade deadline. Throw in top scorer Jesse Gabrielle (35 goals, 29 assists) and the Cougars can put up points.
The Winterhawks were a streaky team this season and closed with eight wins in their last 10 regular-season games to surge past Victoria for the first wild-card slot. With Mike Johnston back behind the bench, Portland has once again embraced a wide-open style that leads to plenty of chances for both teams and the Winterhawks finished second in the conference in goals scored with 278. Cody Glass (32 goals, 62 assists), Skyler McKenzie (42 goals, 42 assists) and Keegan Iverson (26 goals, 44 assists) are top threats, and defenseman Caleb Jones (nine goals, 53 assists) provides blueline support.
Portland will make this a series, but ultimately Prince George’s physicality and age wins out.
Prediction: Prince George in six
Kelowna vs. Kamloops
A reprise of last season’s first-round matchup, this series once again provides perhaps the most intrigue in the conference. Last year it took Kelowna seven games to vanquish Kamloops in an epic series in the Okanagan.
It’s strength against strength as the Rockets were the top-scoring team in the Western Conference and the Blazers trailed only Everett in fewest goals allowed. Kamloops netminder Connor Ingram is one of the top goalies in the league (some say even better than Everett’s Carter Hart) and backup Dylan Ferguson is also very good.
Kamloops went 6-3-1 in the season series, but Kelowna closed the regular season with nine wins in its last 10 games. The Rockets also led the league in penalty minutes.
This one goes the distance again, and Kelowna comes out on top again.
Prediction: Kelowna in seven
Eastern Conference
Medicine Hat vs. Brandon
One of two teams to eclipse the 50-win plateau, Medicine Hat earns a matchup with the defending WHL champions.
Medicine Hat was another high-scoring outfit that averaged just under five goals per game and had 10 players put up 59 or more points. The Tigers also went 3-1 in the season series against the Wheat Kings, who may not have top scorer Reid Duke after he left last Friday’s game with an injury and didn’t play Saturday.
It’s hard to see this one lasting long.
Prediction: Medicine Hat in five
Lethbridge vs. Red Deer
Lethbridge has Tyler Wong, who tied Swift Current’s Tyler Steenbergen with 51 goals to lead the WHL. Lethbridge also has ample complementary pieces in Giorgio Estephen, Zak Zborosky and Matt Alfaro — the latter two having come over in a trade with Kootenay.
Red Deer lost forward Adam Musil to an off-ice injury earlier this month and he won’t play. Michael Spacek, Evan Polei and Brandon Hagel all topped the 30-goal mark.
Lethbridge was unbeaten during regulation (5-0-1) in the season series and there’s no reason to think the Hurricanes won’t advance.
Prediction: Lethbridge in six
Regina vs. Calgary
The preseason pick by most to win the WHL, the Regina Pats are loaded with offensive weapons and rebounded from a brief skid in February to win their final eight games of the regular season.
The Hitmen won six of their final 10 games, but struggle to find the net as their 215 goals are the fewest among all 16 WHL playoff teams.
Prediction: Regina in five
Moose Jaw vs. Swift Current
The Warriors have prolific goal scorers in Jayden Halbgewachs (50 goals, 51 assists) and Brett Howden (38 goals, 43 assists) and an elite goaltender in Zach Sawchenko, the Eastern Conference Goaltender of the Year for the second straight year.
The Broncos closed with seven wins in their final 10 games, and have 50-goal man Tyler Steenbergen. Moose Jaw holds a 4-2 lead in the season series and there’s no reason to not go with that again.
Prediction: Moose Jaw in six
Jesse Geleynse covers the Everett Silvertips and Western Hockey League for The Herald.
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