2009 Hitmen/WHL Playoffs

[LockedOut]

That was fairly quick. Vancouver wins.

[Flickered Flame]

Giants win.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I'd have to say most of the quality scoring chances belonged to the Giants in this game. The Giants goalie is solid.

[Flickered Flame]

Shaw announces that they will cover the Western Final.

[604flames]

What a nail-biter...

Giants had the upper hand physically all night, but I could probably count both teams' quality scoring chances on one hand combined. I feel bad for the Chiefs 'cause they really battled tonight, and Tokarski deserved a better fate for his 41 saves tonight, but needless to say, I'm stoked to see a Vancouver/Kelowna final. If the games up there were on the weekend I'd try to make it out, but Saturday and Sunday nights are needless to say marked down on my calendar.

[Resolute 14]

Gotta say, Kelowna in 5, maybe 6. That series took a lot out of Vancouver to win, and a hungry opponent that is on fire right now is going to be a monumental challenge. Still, that was one of the best playoff series in a long time.

I'll go with Calgary over Brandon in 6.

[604flames]

I still am not sold that the Giants will make it out of the West, but I think it will go 6 or 7. The Rockets are a much more physical team than Spokane, and the Giants will have to match their intensity in all three areas of the ice.

The Rockets definitely have more talent up front and on the blue line, but Vancouver has the edge between the pipes, and I think are starting to get used to playing one-goal hockey games now.

Calgary will roll Brandon up, 5 at most.

[Flickered Flame]

The Giants do have the edge in goal as long as Sexsmith doesn't give up any bad goals. He was really good the last couple of games in the Spokane series but he is going to have to be better against the Rockets imo.

[welshboy2008]

Hitmen in 4 go Hitmen!!

[Resolute 14]

Doing some other research, and came across this article in the Herald. Rather funny when looking through the lens of history...

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Juniors violating laws - Eagleson
May 10, 1975 (CP)
Alan Eagleson, executive director of the National Hockey League's player association, has predicted the newly formed Canadian Major Junior Hockey League will be the end of junior hockey in Canada.
Eagleson, lawyer for many hockey players said the new league's contract is a violation of both Canadian and U.S. law.
"The contract is in direct violation to anti-trust laws in the United States and anti-combines regulations in Canada. This could prove the end to junior hockey in Canada, and I would under no circumstances allow a player of mine to sign that contract," he said.
The three major junior leagues, the Ontario Hockey Association Major Junior A Series, Western Canada Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced Thursday they had adopted a constitution making the CMJHA a legal entity.
The feature of the constitution is a unified stand on a contract that will tie the junior players to contracts until they are 21.
Lawyer Joe Kane, a former player and coach, drew up the constitution, and made it clear that players would be eligible to turn pro at 18 but at a great cost to the professional club involved.

Under the proposed CMJHL draft plans, and professional club that drafted an 18-year-old would have to pay a fee of $20,000 to be assured of negotiation rights. If the player was signed, a further $80,000 would have to be paid to the CMJHA.
Both the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association would be invited to an all-Canada junior draft and drafting wold be done by the leagues, not individual clubs. First choice would be done by flip of a coin.
Clarence (Tubby) Schmalz, OHA Major Junior A commissioner, said that by dealing iwth the leagues and not with individual clubs, the constitution does not violate anti-trust laws.
"Previously, the professional leagues pretty well dictated to us the terms of taking junior players. Now the shoe is on the other foot. We will tell them how they are going to get our players and for how much," Schmalz said.

---------------------------------------

Given Eagleson's activities, his hypocritical stance on anti-trust laws are downright comical. This was also less than four years after the reserve clause was struck down, ending the NHL's monopoly on players in violation of anti-trust laws. In a companion article, Clarence Campbell made it clear the NHL would never participate in a common draft with the WHA.

The CMJHL, of course, is today the CHL, and given how much importance the CHL puts on retaining players (the NHL-AHL-CHL agreement) and the fees it collects for drafted players, it becomes obvious that this was a driving force behind the creation of the umbrella league. It also represented a major split from the CAHA (Hockey Canada).

[Sinatra]

I've been attending Giants game since 02 and I can tell you that I've never been more worried coming into a playoffs series. Everyone is underestimating the Rockets. The overall size of the team is "NHL-like". Their forwards are superb, and the goaltending is solid. I could see them winning not just the WHL, but the Memorial Cup as well.

Predictions: Rockets in 6. (HOPE NOT)
Hitmen in 6.

Rockets vs Hitmen, Rockets in 7.

[johnnyluv]

^I don't know who's underestimating the Rockets, but I don't see many of these people here. However, let's not forget that the Rockets got two of their three wins vs. the Giants in OT. I think after the Spokane series, Vancouver will be confident that they can get it done if a game goes to OT, especially against a goaltender who's not quite at Tokarski's level. I'd say the pendulum's swung, and people are forgetting how good the Giants are.

[Sinatra]

Originally Posted by johnnyluv

^I don't know who's underestimating the Rockets, but I don't see many of these people here. However, let's not forget that the Rockets got two of their three wins vs. the Giants in OT. I think after the Spokane series, Vancouver will be confident that they can get it done if a game goes to OT, especially against a goaltender who's not quite at Tokarski's level. I'd say the pendulum's swung, and people are forgetting how good the Giants are.

Well, I was talking about the Canucks forum saying the Giants have it easy. The last two times the Rockets and Giants have faced have been 6-2, and 4-2 wins respectfully. I was at the 6-2 game @ the Coliseum and the Giants were just outclassed. If Sexsmith lets in the "weak goals", this series will be over in 5. We'll see more scoring though than the Spokane series. The Chiefs are tighter on D than the Rockets and obviously Tokarski a much better goaltender. It's going to be wide open, and the Giants will need to take it to them and win the first two home games.

[Sinatra]

Originally Posted by 604flames

I still am not sold that the Giants will make it out of the West, but I think it will go 6 or 7. The Rockets are a much more physical team than Spokane, and the Giants will have to match their intensity in all three areas of the ice.

The Rockets definitely have more talent up front and on the blue line, but Vancouver has the edge between the pipes, and I think are starting to get used to playing one-goal hockey games now.

Calgary will roll Brandon up, 5 at most.

I'd disagree with that.

[welshboy2008]

Go HItmen Go, lets set up a request to the city to give them a rally when they win the memorial cup

[Sinatra]

Originally Posted by welshboy2008

Go HItmen Go, lets set up a request to the city to give them a rally when they win the memorial cup

Have to get past Kelowna/Vancouver and probably London first. Good luck!

[604flames]

Originally Posted by Sinatra

I'd disagree with that.

Fair enough, I have also been watching the Giants since Day 1, but I would take a top 4 D of Myers, Bowman, Barrie and Dowzak over Schira, Blum, Regner and Ross, if only slightly. I'd also factor size into that as well. Bowman and Barrie are, in my estimation, two of the best d-men that you never really hear anybody talk about.

Should be a great series, but like you, I am nervous.

EDIT: reading the rest of your other posts, I agree, a split won't do it. Giants need to take both games on the weekend 'cause the barn in K-town will be ROCKING on Tuesday night.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Sinatra

Have to get past Kelowna/Vancouver and probably Windsor first. Good luck!

Fixed

[Sinatra]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Fixed

Eh, I think London can take them in 7. Let's just see how Tavares does. Either way, it won't be easy for Calgary.

[stacey]

hitmen in 6