WHL first round playoff preview
Published on March 20, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
MNP EASTERN CONFERENCE - FIRST ROUND PREVIEW
East Division
(1) Brandon Wheat Kings vs (4) Prince Albert Raiders
2006-07 regular-season record:
Brandon: 41-20-3-8, 93pts
Prince Albert: 27-39-3-3, 60pts
2006-07 head-to-head record:
Brandon: 5-3-0-0, 10pts
Prince Albert 3-4-0-1, 7pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Brandon: Mark Derlago 8gp-7g-5a-12pts
Dustin Kohn 7gp-1g-11a-12pts
Prince Albert: Mike Hellyer 8gp-5g-4a-9pts
Matt Robertson 8gp-4g-5a-9pts
The Wheat Kings and Raiders meet up in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Eric Fehr's Wheat Kings beat Jeremy Colliton's Raiders four games to three in the 2005 Eastern Conference Final.
The Wheat Kings come into the post-season playing some of the best hockey in the Eastern Conference. After a respectable first half, the Wheat Kings ran away with the East Division in the second half, posting a solid 23-7-1-5 record over the last 36 games of the season. Brandon boasts a potent offense featuring Mark Derlago, the WHL's top goal-scorer, as well as offensive forwards like Codey Burki, Andrew Clark, Juraj Simek and Robert Klinkhammer. They should be able to generate plenty of scoring versus a Raiders defense that allowed the third-most goals in the WHL. Dustin Kohn leads a Brandon defense corps that was middle-of-the-pack in goals-against. Kohn, along with fellow veterans Daryl Boyle, Theran Yeo and Mark Louis, will need to pay special attention the Raiders' top guns like Matt Robertson and Ryan McDonald. Goaltender Tyler Plante has 30 games of post-season experience under his belt. He'll need to find the consistency he had in his game during the 2005 playoffs, when the Wheat Kings went all the way to the WHL final. Home-ice advantage will benefit the Wheat Kings, who owned the League's fourth-best home record, and won all four regular-season meetings with the Raiders in Brandon.
The Raiders are back in the post-season after missing the playoffs last year. Prince Albert limped into the fourth and final playoff spot having lost 17 of their last 20 regular-season games. Throughout the season, much of the Raiders' offense has come from rookie Matt Robertson, who led all first-year WHL players with 37 goals. He will need to continue finding the back of the net in a tighter-checking playoff environment. The Raiders did manage to generate offense versus Brandon this season, scoring 27 goals over eight games. The bigger task for the Raiders will be shutting down Brandon's high-octane offense. While the Raiders did score an average of over three goals per game versus the Wheaties this season, they also gave up 32 goals in the process. Veteran rearguards Jeff May and Mike Gauthier will need to tighten up a young Raiders' blue line if the team is to have a chance at winning this series. They will also need to greatly improve on their 18th-ranked penalty-killing to stop Brandon's second-ranked power play. Neither of the Raiders goaltenders, Jesse Deckert and David Aime, has any post-season experience. Deckert, the likely starter for the series, will need to be at his best to shut down Brandon's many offensive weapons.
Series Schedule (* If Necessary)
#1 - Prince Albert @ Brandon; Friday, March 23 (7:30 p.m., CT)
#2 - Prince Albert @ Brandon; Saturday, March 24 (7:30 p.m., CT)
#3 - Brandon @ Prince Albert; Wednesday, March 28 (7:30 p.m., CT)
#4 - Brandon @ Prince Albert; Thursday, March 29 (7:30 p.m., CT)
#5 - Brandon @ Prince Albert; Saturday, March 31 (7:30 p.m., CT)*
#6 - Prince Albert @ Brandon; Tuesday, April 3 (7:00 p.m., CT)*
#7 - Prince Albert @ Brandon; Wednesday, April 4 (7:00 p.m., CT)*
(2) Regina Pats vs (3) Swift Current Broncos
2006-07 regular-season record:
Regina: 36-28-2-6, 80pts
Swift Current: 33-36-1-2, 69pts
2006-07 head-to-head record:
Regina: 6-2-0-0, 12pts
Swift Current: 2-6-0-0, 4pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Regina: Garrett Festerling 8gp-1g-10a-11pts
Jordan Eberle 8gp-5g-4a-9pts
Swift Current: Jeremy Schenderling 8gp-4g-3a-7pts
Zack Smith 8gp-2g-4a-6pts
The Regina Pats and Swift Current Broncos meet up in the playoffs for the first time since 1992-93. The last time the teams met in the post-season, Dean McAmmond and the Broncos swept Jeff Friesen and the Pats 4-0 in the East Conference final en route to their third and most recent WHL Championship.
The Pats enter the post-season as the second-ranked team in the East Division, and were one of only two teams with an above-.500 record in the division. After an inconsistent first half to the season, the Pats started living up to their potential over the second half, posting a solid 22-10-1-3 record over the final 36 games of the season. Regina boasts a balanced attack featuring five players with 20 or more goals, and should be able to score versus a Broncos team that gave up the fourth-highest number of goals in the Eastern Conference. Rookie Jordan Eberle showed he could provide offense during the regular season, potting a team-leading 28 goals. Now, the 16-year-old must deliver in the playoffs where he'll certainly draw plenty of attention from Swift Current's defense. Defensively, the Pats will rely upon Logan Pyett, Kyle Deck, Nick Ross and Craig Schira to shut down the Broncos' attack. Pyett was Regina's top defensemen in last season's playoffs, potting a goal and seven points with a +2 rating in their six-game defeat to Saskatoon. In goal, Linden Rowat posted a 5-2 record with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage in seven games versus the Broncos. However, neither he nor Tommy Tartaglione has a single minute of playoff experience between them. Home-ice advantage should work in the Pats' favor as they posted a solid 25-8-1-2 record at home this season, while the Broncos were 13-21-0-2 on the road.
Swift Current is making their second straight post-season appearance. Although the Broncos struggled to a 13-20-0-1 record in the New Year, they did manage a respectable 7-3 record - including wins over Brandon, Kootenay and Medicine Hat - over their final 10 games of the season to finish the regular with confidence. The Broncos' offense produced 21 goals in eight games versus Regina this season, with nine of those goals coming in one game. It will be up to the likes of Levi Nelson, Jeremy Schenderling and Dale Weise to provide more scoring versus a Pats team that can also put the puck in the net. Rearguards Michael Wilson and Myles Rumsey were the lone Swift Current blue liners without negative plus-minus figures this season, and will both be key in anchoring the Broncos' defense corps. More will be needed from players like Eric Doyle, Paul Postma and R.J. LaRochelle if they are to shut down the Pats' offense. Goaltending should be sound for the Broncos as veteran Kyle Moir and sophomore Travis Yonkman are both capable of taking the starting job. Moir, however, has yet to win a post-season game in his WHL career. If the Broncos want to advance, they'll need to win in Regina, which is something they have failed to do in their last eight visits to the Queen City.
Series Schedule
#1 - Swift Current @ Regina; Friday, March 23 (7:00 p.m., CT)
#2 - Swift Current @ Regina; Saturday, March 24 (7:00 p.m., CT)
#3 - Regina @ Swift Current; Tuesday, March 27 (7:30 p.m., CT)
#4 - Regina @ Swift Current; Wednesday, March 28 (7:30 p.m., CT)
#5 - Swift Current @ Regina; Friday, March 30 (7:00 p.m., CT)*
#6 - Regina @ Swift Current; Sunday, April 1 (7:00 p.m., CT)*
#7 - Swift Current @ Regina; Tuesday, April 3 (7:00 p.m., CT)*
Central Division
(1) Medicine Hat Tigers vs (4) Red Deer Rebels
2006-07 regular-season record:
Medicine Hat: 52-17-3-0, 107pts
Red Deer: 35-28-4-5, 79pts
2006-07 Head-to-head record:
Medicine Hat: 6-1-1-0, 13pts
Red Deer: 2-5-1-0, 5pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Medicine Hat: Kris Russell 8gp-7g-4a-11pts
Darren Helm 8gp-3g-6a-9pts
Red Deer: Martin Hanzal 7gp-3g-3a-6pts
Dustin Moore 7gp-0g-6a-6pts
The Medicine Hat Tigers and Red Deer Rebels meet up in the first round of the playoffs for the second time in three years. Clarke MacArthur and the Tigers edged Dion Phaneuf and the Rebels four games to three in the opening round of the 2005 playoffs.
The Tigers come into the post season having enjoyed their best regular-season campaign since the 1985-86 season, winning their fourth consecutive Central Division and Eastern Conference titles in the process. The Tigers are very strong at both ends of the rink, having scored the second-most goals in the WHL (264), and having allowed the third fewest (175). The Tigers also outscored the Rebels by a 30-16 margin in eight meetings this season. Up front, Darren Helm and Chris Stevens will need to pace the attack, having both enjoyed success versus Red Deer this season. Defenseman Kris Russell led the Tigers in scoring versus Red Deer this season, and boasted a solid +6 rating. He'll be required to not only provide offense, but also help fellow Tigers' rearguards Gord Baldwin, Dave Schlemko and company shut down the Rebels' top guns, Martin Hanzal and Kirill Starkov. Netminder Matt Keetley appeared in all eight regular-season meetings versus the Rebels, posting a 6-1-1-0 record with a 1.97 goals-against average. He'll need to stay just as sharp to fend off the Rebels' attack. Home-ice advantage will be a key for the Tigers, who posted a 29-5-2-0 record at the Arena this season.
The Rebels are back in the post-season after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade last season. However, the Rebels now have the difficult task of facing Medicine Hat in the first round. Red Deer's offense has largely come from the European rookie duo of Martin Hanzal and Kirill Starkov, the Sutters - Brett and Brandon - and overage rookie Dustin Moore, who have accounted for over 60 percent of the team's goals. The Rebels will need solid contributions from the aforementioned players, and more production from players like Scott Doucet, Brennan Wray and Ted Vandermeer if they are to crack the Tigers' deep defense corps. On the blue line, veteran leader Jordan Henry and his fellow Rebels' defensemen will need to take their game to a whole new level if the team has any hope of shutting down the WHL's second-best offense. James Reimer ranked among the top 10 goalies in the WHL in both goals-against average and save percentage during the regular season, yet struggled with a 1-5-1-0 record and a 3.55 GAA versus the Tigers. He'll need to improve upon those numbers for the Rebels to have success versus Medicine Hat in the post-season. Red Deer was one of only seven visiting teams to win in Medicine Hat this season. They'll need to do it at least once more to get past the Tigers in this series.
Series Schedule
#1 - Red Deer @ Medicine Hat; Friday, March 23 (7:30 p.m., MT)
#2 - Red Deer @ Medicine Hat; Saturday, March 24 (7:30 p.m., MT)
#3 - Medicine Hat @ Red Deer; Tuesday, March 27 (7:00 p.m., MT)
#4 - Medicine Hat @ Red Deer; Wednesday, March 28 (7:00 p.m., MT)
#5 - Red Deer @ Medicine Hat; Friday, March 30 (7:30 p.m., MT)*
#6 - Medicine Hat @ Red Deer; Sunday, April 1 (6:00 p.m., MT)*
#7 - Red Deer @ Medicine Hat; Tuesday, April 3 (7:00 p.m., MT)*
(2) Kootenay Ice vs (3) Calgary Hitmen
2006-07 regular-season record:
Kootenay: 49-17-3-3, 104pts
Calgary: 39-26-3-4, 85pts
2006-07 Head-to-head record:
Kootenay: 6-2-0-0, 12pts
Calgary: 2-5-1-0, 5pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Kootenay: Ryan Russell 6gp-5g-9a-14pts
Steve DaSilva 8gp-4g-9a-13pts
Calgary: Ryan White 8gp-5g-6a-11pts
Brodie Dupont 7gp-2g-6a-8pts
The Calgary Hitmen and Kootenay Ice meet up in the playoffs for the first time since 1999-00. Jaroslav Svoboda and the Ice beat Brad Moran and the Hitmen four games to one in the 2000 Eastern Conference Final en route to their first WHL Championship.
The Ice come into the playoffs having enjoyed their third consecutive season with 45 or more victories. Kootenay boasts the most potent offense in the WHL, having scored 267 goals this season. With weapons up front like Steve DaSilva, Ryan Russell, Curtis Billsten, Andrew Bailey, Dustin Sylvester, Clayton Bauer and Ben Maxwell at their disposal, the Ice will give Calgary's defense all they can handle. Rearguards Mike Busto and Chad Greenan not only provide great defensive play, but are dangerous offensive threats from the blue line. While the Ice can certainly score goals, they also boast the League's fifth-best defense, having surrendered 184 goals this season. Kootenay's top six defensemen - Busto, Greenan, Paul Kurceba, John Negrin, Lukas Bohunicky and Ian Barteaux - were a combined +91 this season. Still, they will need to be at their best to stop Calgary's high-octane offense, which ranked third in the WHL. In Taylor Dakers, Kootenay boasts one of the WHL's best goaltenders. While he posted a respectable 4-2 record in six games versus the Hitmen, he managed only a 3.00 GAA in those games. He'll need to be focused to stop Calgary's sharp shooters like Brodie Dupont and Brett Sonne. Kootenay will benefit from having home-ice advantage as they posted a very solid 28-6-1-1 record at the Cranbrook RecPlex this season, and beat Calgary all four times they met in Cranbrook.
The Hitmen are in the post-season for the 10th consecutive year, and come into the playoffs with a respectable 12-7-1-0 record since the beginning of February. Last season, the Hitmen dominated with a rock-solid defense and outstanding goaltending from Justin Pogge. This year, the Hitmen are winning because of their potent offense. With offensive forwards like Ryan White, Brodie Dupont, Freddie Pettersson, Ian Duval, Brett Sonne at their disposal, the Hitmen should be able to keep up with Kootenay in the goal-scoring department. Calgary's defense, led by Canadian World Junior Gold medalist Karl Alzner, has been solid, if a bit inconsistent this season. Alzner, along with veterans Dan Mercer and Dylan Yeo, will need to step up their defensive game a notch to shut down the Ice's top-rated attack. The expected return of sophomore standout Alex Plante should help Calgary in the defensive zone, and on the power play. Dan Spence has held the fort in goal for Calgary during the regular season, posting 30 wins, but has no playoff experience. The Hitmen were a respectable 17-15-1-3 on the road this season, but lost all four games in Cranbrook. They'll need to win at least once at the Cranbrook RecPlex to move on.
Series Schedule
#1 - Calgary @ Kootenay; Friday, March 23 (7:00 p.m., MT)
#2 - Calgary @ Kootenay; Saturday, March 24 (7:00 p.m., MT)
#3 - Kootenay @ Calgary; Wednesday, March 28 (7:00 p.m., MT)
#4 - Kootenay @ Calgary; Thursday, March 29 (7:00 p.m., MT)
#5 - Calgary @ Kootenay; Saturday, March 31 (7:00 p.m., MT)*
#6 - Kootenay @ Calgary; Monday, April 2 (7:00 p.m., MT)*
#7 - Calgary @ Kootenay; Wednesday, April 4 (7:00 p.m., MT)*
KAL TIRE WESTERN CONFERENCE - FIRST ROUND PREVIEW
B.C. Division
(1) Vancouver Giants vs (4) Chilliwack Bruins
2006-07 regular-season record:
Vancouver: 45-17-3-7, 100pts
Chilliwack: 25-40-5-2, 57pts
2006-07 Head-to-head record:
Vancouver: 8-0-0-0, 16pts
Chilliwack: 0-7-1-0, 1pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Vancouver: Tim Kraus 8gp-2g-12a-14pts
Spencer Machacek 6gp-6g-6a-12pts
Chilliwack: Ken Petkau 7gp-4g-2a-6pts
Mark Santorelli 8gp-3g-2a-5pts
The Vancouver Giants and Chilliwack Bruins meet up for their first-ever playoff series.
Vancouver comes into the playoffs as the defending 2006 WHL Champions, as well as having claimed the B.C. Division crown for the second straight year. The Giants started the season on fire, hit a mid-season slump, and now appear to be back on track after posting a solid 15-6-0-1 record since January 27th. Although they already have a berth in the 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup as tournament hosts, the Giants have said all year they want to get to the CHL Championship through the front door by defending their WHL title. Fortunately for the Giants, they'll face a first-round opponent, Chilliwack, whom they've had little trouble with all season. The Giants won all eight meetings versus the expansion Bruins by a combined score of 44-11, including three shutout victories, and pounded the Bruins 26-2 in their four victories at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. Vancouver's defense, which boasts four NHL prospects, successfully limited Chilliwack's top scorers through the regular season. They'll need to take the same approach to shut down Mark Santorelli, Oscar Moller, Ken Petkau and company in the post season. Tyson Sexsmith allowed only a one goal in three starts versus Chilliwack this season. The 18-year-old netminder will look to mimic his predecessor Dustin Slade's record-setting performance in the 2006 post-season.
The Chilliwack Bruins join the Everett Silvertips, the Tacoma Rockets and the Red Deer Rebels among expansion teams to make the playoffs in their inaugural season. The Bruins offense has been led all season by rookies Mark Santorelli and Oscar Moller, along with veterans Ken Petkau and Josh Aspenlind. Those four players combined for all of the Bruins' 11 goals in eight games versus the Giants this season. They will all need to find another level of play for the Bruins to have any chance of solving the best defense in the WHL. The Bruins' defense was heavy on the minus side versus Vancouver this season. Solid rookie Nick Holden, and veterans Craig Lineker, Matt McCue and Dylan Chapman will have all the work they can handle in anchoring the Bruins' defense corps against a deep and talented Giants offense. Goaltender Matt Esposito appeared in three games versus Vancouver as a member of the Everett Silvertips in the 2006 Western Conference Championship series, losing all three, and has first-hand knowledge of the type of Giants team the Bruins will face in their opening-round series. However, neither he nor Alex Archibald was able to stop the Giants during the regular season this year.
Series Schedule
#1 - Chilliwack @ Vancouver; Friday, March 23 (7:30 p.m., PT)
#2 - Chilliwack @ Vancouver; Saturday, March 24 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#3 - Vancouver @ Chilliwack; Tuesday, March 27 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#4 - Vancouver @ Chilliwack; Wednesday, March 28 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#5 - Chilliwack @ Vancouver; Friday, March 30 (7:30 p.m., PT)*
#6 - Vancouver @ Chilliwack; Saturday, March 31 (7:00 p.m., PT)*
#7 - Chilliwack @ Vancouver; Wednesday, April 4 (7:00 p.m., PT)*
(2) Kamloops Blazers vs (3) Prince George Cougars
2006-07 regular-season record:
Kamloops: 40-26-4-2, 85pts
Prince George: 33-31-3-5, 74pts
2006-07 Head-to-head record:
Kamloops: 5-4-1-0, 11pts
Prince George: 5-5-0-0, 10pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Kamloops: Raymond Macias 10gp-4g-7a-11pts
Reid Jorgensen 7gp-8g-1a-9pts
Prince George: Devin Setoguchi 8gp-9g-6a-15pts
Ty Wishart 10gp-2g-10a-12pts
The Prince George Cougars and Kamloops Blazers meet up in the playoffs for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Eric Brewer and the Cougars beat Robyn Regehr and the Blazers four games to three in the first round of the 1998 playoffs.
The Blazers enjoyed a brilliant first four months of the 2006-07 campaign. However, the team struggled mightily down the stretch with a 4-13-3-1 record since the beginning of February, and suffered six straight losses to close out the regular season. Boasting four 30-goal scorers, the Blazers have plenty of scoring punch. The likes of Reid Jorgensen, Brock Nixon and Juuso Puustinen will need to rediscover the offensive touch they displayed through much of the earlier part of the season if they are to break down a tough Cougars defense corps. Team defense has been an issue during the Blazers' recent slump as they allowed four or more goals on 12 occasions since the start of February. Rearguards Ray Macias, Keaton Ellerby and Victor Bartley will need to step up their play in the defensive zone to stop a Cougars' offense that burned the Blazers for 18 goals over their final three regular-season meetings. Goaltender Dustin Butler started all 10 games versus Prince George this season, posting a 5-4-1-0 record, but also allowed 32 goals with an .876 save-percentage. He'll need to take his game up a level if he is to stop the Cougars' forwards. The Blazers will need to make use of their home-ice advantage over the Cougars as they won four of five meetings between the teams in Kamloops by a combined score of 22-11.
The Cougars are in the post-season for the second consecutive season after missing the playoffs in 2004 and 2005. At the start of the season, much was made of the Cougars' potential to challenge for a B.C. Division title. However, inconsistency through much of the season led to mediocre results for, on paper, one of the more talented teams in the WHL. However, a respectable 15-10-1-1 record since mid-January - including key wins over Kamloops and Everett - has the team much more confident heading into the playoffs. The Cougars boast a deep offense featuring names like Eric Hunter, Nick Drazenovic, Dana Tyrell, Chris Durand and Jared Walker, to name a few. Yet, their biggest offensive threat, and the biggest factor in their recent upswing, has been Devin Setoguchi. The 20-year-old San Jose Sharks prospect exploded for 18 goals and 36 points since the beginning of February. If he can keep his play at the current level, he'll cause the Blazers' defense all sorts of problems. With NHL prospects such as Vladimir Mihalk, Ty Wishart and Jesse Dudas patrolling the blue line, the Cougars have the personnel to shut down the Blazers' offensive big guns. But, they will need to play up to their potential if they want to find success. The return of veteran netminder Scott Bowles gives the Cougars at least some playoff experience. Bowles, along with Real Cyr, are both capable of taking on the starting role.
Series Schedule
#1 - Prince George @ Kamloops; Friday, March 23 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#2 - Prince George @ Kamloops; Saturday, March 24 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#3 - Kamloops @ Prince George; Tuesday, March 27 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#4 - Kamloops @ Prince George; Wednesday, March 28 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#5 - Prince George @ Kamloops; Friday, March 30 (7:00 p.m., PT)*
#6 - Kamloops @ Prince George; Saturday, March 31 (7:00 p.m., PT)*
#7 - Prince George @ Kamloops; Tuesday, April 3 (7:00 p.m., PT)*
U.S. Division
(1) Everett Silvertips vs (4) Spokane Chiefs
2006-07 regular-season record:
Everett: 54-15-1-2, 111pts
Spokane: 36-28-4-4, 80pts
2006-07 Head-to-head record:
Everett: 4-3-0-1, 9pts
Spokane: 4-4-0-0, 8pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Everett: Peter Mueller 7gp-5g-5a-10pts
Zach Hamill 8gp-3g-4a-7pts
Spokane: Michael Grabner 8gp-4g-2a-6pts
Stephane Lenoski 7gp-0g-4a-4pts
The Everett Silvertips and Spokane Chiefs meet up in the playoffs for the second time in the last four seasons. Riley Armstrong and the expansion Silvertips swept Brad Schell and the Chiefs four games to none in the opening round of the 2004 playoffs en route to the WHL Final.
The Silvertips come into the 2007 post-season as the top-ranked team in the WHL, having won the franchise's first Scotty Munro Trophy for the best regular-season record. In what was a dominant campaign, the 'Tips boasted the League's best home record and road records, the fourth-best power play, the second-best penalty killing, and allowed a WHL-low 142 goals-against. Most of Everett's offense this season has been generated by Zach Hamill - the WHL's Top Scorer - and Peter Mueller, who provide the team with one of the best one-two combinations up the middle in the League. Along with veterans Moises Gutierrez and Dan Gendur, and rookie Kyle Beach, the 'Tips generate the bulk of their offense from the top two lines. Team defense has been the Silvertips' focus this season, particularly at home where they allowed only 59 goals all season. Led by veterans Jason Fransoo, Jesse Zetariuk and Dane Crowley, the Tips' defense may not be flashy, but they can shut down their opponents in clinical fashion. Leland Irving has been one of the WHL's best and most consistent goaltenders all season. The Calgary Flames prospect will need to maintain his solid play if the 'Tips are to go on a lengthy playoff run. In facing the Chiefs, the 'Tips must overcome the only opponent to finish with an even head-to-head record against them this season.
The Spokane Chiefs are back in the playoffs after a two-year absence. The Chiefs face a stiff test in their first-round battle with the Silvertips. However, no other team in the League had as much success versus the 'Tips this season as the Chiefs, who managed four wins in eight meetings. Up front, the Chiefs boast a solid offense consisting of two 30-goal scorers - Michael Grabner and David Rutherford - and other offensive players like Derek Ryan, Drayson Bowman, and impressive rookies Mitch Wahl and Ondrej Roman. Grabner led the team with 39 goals, but has been inconsistent this season - scoring in bunches, then going through prolonged droughts. As Spokane's biggest offensive weapon, Grabner will need to find a consistent effort every night for the Chiefs to break down Everett's rock-solid defense. Spokane's rearguards did well in limiting the 'Tips to 19 goals in eight meetings. They will need to be equally tight in their own zone to stop the duo of Peter Mueller and Zach Hamill. Neither Kevin Armstrong nor rookie Dustin Tokarski has any previous playoff experience. It will be up to those two to out-duel Everett's Leland Irving. The Chiefs only scored two goals in four games at the Everett Events Center this season. They will need to generate more offense than that if they are to steal a game in Everett.
Series Schedule
#1 - Spokane @ Everett; Friday, March 23 (7:35 p.m., PT)
#2 - Spokane @ Everett; Saturday, March 24 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#3 - Everett @ Spokane; Tuesday, March 27 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#4 - Everett @ Spokane; Wednesday, March 28 (7:00 p.m., PT)
#5 - Spokane @ Everett; Friday, March 30 (7:35 p.m., PT)*
#6 - Everett @ Spokane; Sunday, April 1 (6:00 p.m., PT)*
#7 - Spokane @ Everett; Tuesday, April 3 (7:05 p.m., PT)*
(2) Tri-City Americans vs (3) Seattle Thunderbirds
2006-07 regular-season record:
Tri-City: 47-23-1-1, 96pts
Seattle: 37-21-3-11, 88pts
2006-07 Head-to-head record:
Tri-City: 5-2-1-0, 11pts
Seattle: 3-2-1-2, 9pts
2006-07 head-to-head top scorers:
Tri-City: Alex Aldred 7gp-3g-7a-10pts
Taylor Procyshen 7gp-5g-2a-7pts
Seattle: Aaron Gagnon 7gp-5g-5a-10pts
Scott Jackson 8gp-0g-8a-8pts
The Seattle Thunderbirds and Tri-City Americans meet up in the playoff for the first time since the 1998-99 season. Scott Gomez and the Americans beat Oleg Saprykin and the Thunderbirds three games to one in the 1999 Western Conference Semi-Final.
The Americans come into the 2007 playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the WHL, having won six straight games to close out the regular season, and on the heels of the best regular-season performance since the franchise came to Kennewick in 1988-89. The Ams' success this season comes from having strength in all areas. Up front, the Americans possess plenty of speed and offensive ability. Colton Yellow Horn has led the way, scoring a career-high 40 goals, while sophomore speedster Taylor Procyshen netted 33 goals and finished tied for the League lead with six shorthanded markers. Alex Aldred, Erik Felde, Shaun Vey and Joel Broda add the offensive depth that should help the Ams get by a stingy Seattle defense. The additions of veteran Roman Teslyuk and 19-year-old rookie T.J. Fast strengthens what already was a strong, but young Ams blue line. Tri-City's defense corps will need to be vigilant, particularly when it comes to shutting down Seattle sniper Aaron Gagnon, who scored five times in seven games versus the Ams this season. The Ams have the luxury of having Canadian World Junior hero Carey Price in net. Price has already proven he can perform in high-pressure situations. The Americans were one of only four teams to win 20 games on the road this season, and were victorious in three of four visits to Seattle.
The Thunderbirds are making their third straight appearance in the post-season. Like the Americans, the Thunderbirds come into the playoffs on a hot streak, having skated to a 14-2-1-0 record over their final 17 games. Up front, the T-Birds may not have the offensive depth of the Ams, but they do possess some game-breaking players. Aaron Gagnon has been the driving force behind the T-Birds' offense this season, scoring a career-high 42 goals and 80 points in only 59 games. Veterans Bud Holloway, the team's only other 20-goal scorer, and Brett Robertson have provided offense on a consistent basis. However, the T-Birds will need more from players like sophomore Greg Scott and European rookies Jan Eberle and Radek Meidl to solve netminder Carey Price and a solid Tri-City defense. The Thunderbirds boasted the WHL's fourth-best defense during the regular season, having allowed just 186 goals. Sophomore defenseman Thomas Hickey enjoyed an outstanding campaign offensively, while veterans Scott Jackson, Bretton Stamler and Benn Olson were key in helping the T-Birds to the WHL's third-best penalty-killing. Veteran goalie Derek Yeomans has been one of the most consistent performers this season, and has plenty of playoff experience to draw upon. While the T-Birds weren't the League's best outfit on the road, they did manage two wins in four meetings with the Ams in Kennewick. They'll need to win at least one more game at the Toyota Center to advance past the first round.
Series Schedule
#1 - Seattle @ Tri-City; Friday, March 23 (7:05 p.m., PT)
#2 - Seattle @ Tri-City; Saturday, March 24 (7:05 p.m., PT)
#3 - Tri-City @ Seattle; Tuesday, March 27 (7:05 p.m., PT)
#4 - Tri-City @ Seattle; Wednesday, March 28 (7:05 p.m., PT)
#5 - Seattle @ Tri-City; Friday, March 30 (7:05 p.m., PT)*
#6 - Tri-City @ Seattle; Saturday, March 31 (7:05 p.m., PT)*
#7 - Seattle @ Tri-City; Tuesday, April 3 (7:05 p.m., PT)*
Western Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2007
- Chiefs news and notes - Spokane Chiefs
- Chiefs prepare for first round of playoffs - Spokane Chiefs
- 2006-2007 Kelowna Rockets Awards Banquet Winners Announced - Kelowna Rockets
- WHL first round playoff preview - WHL
- Kootenay Ice vs Calgary Hitmen live on Shaw TV - WHL
- Assante unveils top 40 Wheat Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Everett Silvertips' Zach Hamill Captures Bob Clarke Trophy as WHL's Top Scorer - WHL
- Tickets aplenty for playoff games - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Play-off Packages Are Ready To Be Picked Up - Tri-City Americans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
