Here are Herald writer Nick Patterson’s predictions for the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs (seed numbers are in parentheses):
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Vancouver Giants (1) vs. Prince George Cougars (8)
Not much to think about here. Vancouver is the league’s current dynasty, while Prince George has no history of consistent success. This season the Giants won more than twice as many games as the Cougars (57 to 25). On top of that, Vancouver has always had Prince George’s number. The Giants should have plenty of time to rest up for the second round.
Prediction: Vancouver in four games.
Kelowna Rockets (3) vs. Kamloops Blazers (6)
Kamloops has been a team on the rise. The Blazers, after a pedestrian first half, developed into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams. In addition, goaltender Justin Leclerc is capable of stealing wins when he’s on. Just one problem: Kelowna went 9-0 against Kamloops this season.
Prediction: Kelowna in five games.
Spokane Chiefs (4) vs. Seattle Thunderbirds (5)
This series is the pick of the first round in the Western Conference. Spokane, the defending Memorial Cup champion with much of its team back, had issues down the stretch, in large part because of injuries. Seattle has been up and down, but has the top-end talent to give anyone a run. It may come down to how well the Chiefs recover from a teamwide bout of food poisoning.
Prediction: Spokane in six games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Calgary Hitmen (1) vs. Edmonton Oil Kings (8)
Edmonton needed to win a playoff game against Prince Albert on Tuesday to secure its first playoff berth. Its reward? A series against the team that won the Scotty Munro Trophy for having the league’s best record. Calgary is a machine with no weaknesses, while Edmonton, in its second year of existence, is essentially still an expansion franchise.
Prediction: Calgary in four games.
Saskatoon Blades (2) vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes (7)
This is the battle of the unexpecteds. Saskatoon, expected to be a middle-of-the-pack team, came out of nowhere to win the East Division. Lethbridge, the defending Eastern Conference champion, underachieved. The question is whether the talented Hurricanes have the ability to turn it on now that the playoffs have arrived.
Prediction: Saskatoon in six games.
Brandon Wheat Kings (3) vs. Kootenay Ice (6)
Kootenay, despite being a seller at the trade deadline, performed admirably in the second half to lift itself up into sixth place in the East. But the Ice are running into a buzz saw. Brandon started scoring goals in droves during the final two months of the season, and now the Wheat Kings have yet another weapon with Scott Glennie returning from injury.
Prediction: Brandon in five games.
Swift Current Broncos (4) vs. Medicine Hat Tigers (5)
Medicine Hat is a team any opponent should be concerned about, given the wealth of playoff experience the Tigers can draw upon. But Swift Current was the better team during the second half of the season. This one should be evenly contested.
Prediction: Swift Current in seven games
Read Nick Patteron’s Silverstips blog at www.heraldnet.com.
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