Following Winterhawks and prospects in the WHL playoffs!

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

The "bit part" I'll agree with you on, but to say the Heat will have a short run is slightly premature. They're healthier than they've ever been and have no regular players missing because of call-ups. They're just clicking right now as they are going into the playoffs with a 8-0-1 record in their last 9.

But I completely agree with you about Baertschi's "part" in Portland vs. Abbotsford. Say Baertschi and Winterhawks are eliminated, will Ward play Baertschi in the playoffs or will he stick with the "regulars" that got them to this point? Tough to say. But it would be nice to see Baertschi gain extra experience in WHL finals and potentially the Memorial Cup.

Hoping Baertschi's team loses is a bit ridiculous.

Well, if Portland is eliminated, you can be SURE that if Sven goes to Abbotsford, he will play and play a lot. They are the Flames development team and he is by far the best prospect they have.

It is about development.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by timbit

Well, if Portland is eliminated, you can be SURE that if Sven goes to Abbotsford, he will play and play a lot. They are the Flames development team and he is by far the best prospect they have.

It is about development.

But you can't be sure.

Ward has said in past interviews that he's going with the guys that have gotten them to this point. This means Jessiman, Estoclet, PL3, etc. will be playing in the playoffs. The dilemma I posed as a question (that doesn't have an answer at this point) is will Ward play Baertschi if Portland gets eliminated?

I'll post the question I asked in the backburner thread:

What if Baertschi and the Portland Winterhawks are eliminated in the upcoming game 7 and Sven is sent to Abby? (*knock-on-wood*)

Does Ward go with the guys that have got him this far? Or does he take out a "regular" and put Baertschi in? If he decides to go with the "regulars", does he feel pressure from Flames management to play Baertschi? Also, IF Ward decides to play Baertschi, what should be made of the favouritism to play Baertschi over a guy like, say, Reinhart?

I sincerely believe that Ward would not play Baertschi to start with, but guys like Baertschi and Reinhart will definitely force Ward's hand into keeping a short leash on some of the "regulars".

I fully agree with you timbit about it being about development. But Baertschi doesn't know the systems yet. It took Lamb and Reinhart nearly two weeks to get into a game and Elson about three weeks. Ward wants these guys ready for his system before putting them in and I don't blame him.

It's a dilemma I wouldn't want to be put in if I was Ward.

[Roughneck]

We can only hope Feaster will drop a hint in a passing conversation with Ward that "an NHL coach would play Sven"

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

But you can't be sure.

Ward has said in past interviews that he's going with the guys that have gotten them to this point. This means Jessiman, Estoclet, PL3, etc. will be playing in the playoffs. The dilemma I posed as a question (that doesn't have an answer at this point) is will Ward play Baertschi if Portland gets eliminated?

I'll post the question I asked in the backburner thread:



I sincerely believe that Ward would not play Baertschi to start with, but guys like Baertschi and Reinhart will definitely force Ward's hand into keeping a short leash on some of the "regulars".

I fully agree with you timbit about it being about development. But Baertschi doesn't know the systems yet. It took Lamb and Reinhart nearly two weeks to get into a game and Elson about three weeks. Ward wants these guys ready for his system before putting them in and I don't blame him.

It's a dilemma I wouldn't want to be put in if I was Ward.

I have not seen the heat play, but one would think that the heat play a system similar if not identical to the flames. I am not wanting Sven to go to the heat (would rather him play till the mem cup) but his days in Calgary might give him a leg up.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by getbak

Well, at least one Flames' prospect will be playing in the third round of the WHL playoffs. Today, Laurent Brossoit was named the CHL Goaltender of the Week.

Brossoit has now won 17 straight games including eight straight playoff victories. That's quite an accomplishment.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Miniac

Brossoit has now won 17 straight games including eight straight playoff victories. That's quite an accomplishment.

Ahem. The Oil Kings have won all those games. And it's 19 straight!

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Ahem. The Oil Kings have won all those games. And it's 19 straight!

Brossiot, as a member of the Oil Kings, has won 17 straight. The Oil Kings have won 2 additional games in that span where Brossiot didn't play. As such, you are both correct. The Oil Kings have won 19 straight games, but Brossiot has won the last 17 games he played.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by sworkhard

Brossiot, as a member of the Oil Kings, has won 17 straight. The Oil Kings have won 2 additional games in that span where Brossiot didn't play. As such, you are both correct. The Oil Kings have won 19 straight games, but Brossiot has won the last 17 games he played.

You're correct. Both are on an amazing roll for sure.

[Scoutski]

Pretty pumped for this game 7. Really hoping tricity are out of it on the other side... Also just updated all the stats again.

[frodo_t_baggins]

Sven with an assist early on!

[Scoutski]

such a tight game, worth listening to. Midway through the second, Sven with the only assist of the game.

[Kipperking]

Anyway to watch this? Or is it Audio only?

[Resolute 14]

You can pay for the webcast on whl.ca.

Also, even if not for Sven, I'd be cheering for Portland based only on those nasty Oilers logo jerseys the Blazers are wearing (or wore) that is on the front page of whl.ca. I don't care if they used to be owned by the Edmonton Oilers. That's just nasty!

[Fischy13]

Did the guy updating the whl score board fall asleep? It shows 0 shots for each team in the second period. Anyone able to update?

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by Fischy13

Did the guy updating the whl score board fall asleep? It shows 0 shots for each team in the second period. Anyone able to update?

It updates here after each period. Currently 28-21 winterhawks.

[Stay Golden]

Sven with another assist I see.

[Fischy13]

Wierd, usually it updates as it goes. This is the first I've seen them wait until after the period to show the shots.... I usually check in every game.

[Red John]

Hopefully it doesn't end like this.

Blazers hit the crossbar in the first minute, Hawks come back and score 1:01 in. Would be too bad if that was the game right there.

[Scoutski]

I've seen it on a few games before, They will always update it straight away if someone scores though so dont worry

Spokane getting killed in the shots but winning 2-1 (15-41). Definitely want to be playing Spokane over Tricity! (hate tricity...)

[Red John]

2-0 now, see if the Blazers have another comeback left in them.