Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
The playoff picture itself is also clearing up
Kootenay is going to beat the Hurricanes, so we are looking at:
2. Saskatoon vs. 7 Lethbridge
3. Brandon vs. 6. Kootenay
4. Swift Current vs. 5. Medicine Hat.
Edmonton blew it against Red Deer tonight, but have one more chance tomorrow. If the Oil Kings win, we get Edmonton in the first round. If they lose, we get Prince Albert as the two teams would finish tied in points, but PA has more wins.
It is a really strange bracket, as the Central could qualify five teams to the East's three, but they would get spots 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. the Hitmen's absolute dominance of the Central Division might well have played a major role in that oddity.
In the West only two matchups are set:
1. Vancouver vs. 8 Prince George
2. Tri-City vs. 7. Everett
The Chiefs food poisoning issue could have massive ramifications on how the playoffs shake out.
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Apparently the WHL figures Edmonton is going to win, as they have them showing as having clinched the 8th spot in the standings on the front page. It has to be a mistype, as it was updated to include tonight's games and shows both teams in the aforementioned tie with 67 points.
Either way, I think that the Hitmen take either team in 4. As you said, it has been an amazing season, one that was unexpected at the beginning of the season, which makes it perhaps even sweeter. Now the important part begins though, in the long run what really matters is how they play for the next two and a half months. If they keep going as we have seen they can, it's hard to see anyone denying them. Let's hope that is the case.