2012-13 WHL Season Thread (Hitmen, Rebels, Canes, Tigers, et al) - Page 12 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

604flames · 02-11-2013, 12:18 PM

Blades are starting to get hot too. 8 straight wins.

Wise Gamble · 02-11-2013, 10:37 PM

Just saw Portland today vs Vancouver. Unbelievable team...

Red John · 02-12-2013, 04:04 PM

Kamloops is heating up again. They have looked like a much better team ever since a huge 6-5 comeback OT win over Kelowna a couple weeks ago. Seem to have a bit of their swagger back.

Kelowna has finally cooled off a bit. Lost three straight and barely beat Everett the other night. They'll be fine down the stretch, but likely won't go on another 19-1 run like before.

Portland is far better than everybody right now. Had the privilege of checking them out this past weekend. They are full of swagger, know they are better than everybody and go out and clinically destroy teams every game.

At one point against Kelowna, they were killing a penalty and sent three guys on a routine rush the other way; turned the puck over for a 3 on 1 for Kelowna, and still got back in time to break it up.

Nic Petan could be the first 17-year old to win the WHL scoring title since Pavel Brendl. He'll be a first-rounder this year.

Freeway · 02-12-2013, 08:22 PM

If Petan has a strong playoffs, he could creep into the top 10 easily.

HOOT · 02-14-2013, 01:44 PM

Wow. Victoria Royals are holding their first round playoff games at a smaller arena in Langford because of some curling event. I think I'm done as a season ticket holder with them and already declined the playoff tickets. What a joke!

Derek Sutton · 02-14-2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Wow. Victoria Royals are holding their first round playoff games at a smaller arena in Langford because of some curling event. I think I'm done as a season ticket holder with them and already declined the playoff tickets. What a joke!

Probably the Womens Worlds, it always conflicts with the first round. A few years ago Med Hat lost out as hosts because they couldn't guarantee the arena and Swift got the event, I believe if the Broncos made the play offs they would have played in Shaunovan or somewhere. Last year the curling was in Lethbridge, it just so happens that the Hurricanes suck and missed the play offs again so it was a non issue.

HOOT · 02-14-2013, 05:13 PM

I just find it ridiculous that they kick out what should be the main tenant for some curling, move the curling instead. I've been to a bunch of curling events at the Memorial and they are less than half full which would be a packed house at Bear Mountain. But my biggest beef is probably the Bear Mountain move, I hate that arena and hate the parking even more. Oh well...my money will be spent elsewhere.

Wise Gamble · 02-15-2013, 12:13 PM

http://vancouvergiants.com/article/g...sign-alec-baer

Red John · 02-16-2013, 10:37 PM

Kamloops sweeps a home and home with Kelowna. Have now won seven straight and 11 of 12.

They are back out of their huge slump - difference now is they are actually playing good defense instead of just scoring.

Have erased an 11-point division deficit to just three point with a game in hand. Two teams are heading in opposite directions again - Kelowna has really cooled off.

Bet on the Blazers to retain the B.C. division crown. Portland will remain the #1 seed.

Matty81 · 03-16-2013, 12:12 PM

League is wrapping up tomorrow, playoffs get underway this week and all the matchups are set except who will finish 7th and 8th in the west. Looks like 6 1st round series are walkovers on paper but I guess that's why they play them. 2nd round should get really interesting.

Even though they are cannon fodder, pretty damned impressive for Kootenay to make the playoffs after the start they had.

Thinking I might go to the game tonight, the locals are smoking hot again looking to enter the playoffs on a 10-1 run, have a chance to break the franchise record for wins and clinch the tiebreaker in the unlikely event they run into Edmonton. Impressed with their season, never really gave such a young club much of a chance at the start of the year. Although I'm expecting that even if they make it that far Portland will destroy them.

Edit - Rockets win but lose their captain and MVP for the season in the third. Probably destroys any outside chance they had of getting by Kamloops and then Portland.

Red John · 03-21-2013, 09:27 PM

Playoff picks

Edmonton over Kootenay in 6
Saskatoon over Medicine Hat in 7
Swift Current over Calgary in 6
Red Deer over Prince Albert in 6

Portland over Everett in 4
Kelowna over Seattle in 5
Kamloops over Victoria in 4
Tri-City over Spokane in 6

Mister Yamoto · 03-22-2013, 12:02 AM

Yay, Hitmen win! 6-5 in overtime. Brassard with the hat trick. Hitmen blew a 4-0 lead too! Flames prospect Coda Gordon scored a beauty to make it 4-2.

Puppet Guy · 03-22-2013, 09:21 AM

Lethbridge Hurricanes have been served notice to change their logo by the Washington Capitals.

Quote:

"This has not been labeled as a new look. We have been served notice from the NHL's Washington Capitals that they would like us to look at other directions with our logo. This was brought up to us during the season"

Quote:

"We haven't set out a time frame. We have to meet as committees and have to go through due process and that hasn't been discussed yet at all. We haven't talked with them (Capitals) to see what's the time frame (for the change)".

http://canesbroadcaster.blogspot.ca/

Hatter · 03-22-2013, 01:00 PM

I really hope the Tigers can pull off an upset over the Blades. They have some good offensive talent, and a veteran goaltender. Could be enough to make a splash.

Trojan97 · 03-22-2013, 10:25 PM

Blades down 2-0 in their series heading back to Medicine Hat. What a disaster for Saskatoon so far.

Matty81 · 03-23-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Blades down 2-0 in their series heading back to Medicine Hat. What a disaster for Saskatoon so far.

At least the Blades get a 2nd chance! Portland and Kelowna went down 1-0 at home last night in the west, the only favourite winning was Kamloops and they squeeked it out against a Royals team missing their top player and scorer, best dman and starting goalie! Crazy start last night in the west, maybe the 1st round will be more interesting than expected.

Aeneas · 03-23-2013, 11:31 AM

Watched the First Saskatoon game on TV. The crowd looked horrendous. Was it a weather event or is the attendance always so poor.

Just thought being hosts, long win streak, etc that they would have a rocking crowd there.

NB didn't have volume up, in case my question was answered.

Red John · 03-23-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty81

At least the Blades get a 2nd chance! Portland and Kelowna went down 1-0 at home last night in the west, the only favourite winning was Kamloops and they squeeked it out against a Royals team missing their top player and scorer, best dman and starting goalie! Crazy start last night in the west, maybe the 1st round will be more interesting than expected.

Not entirely true, Polivka played and Stahl is probably a detriment when he plays, guy puts his team shorthanded with stupid penalties a lot.

That said this is an improved Royals team over last year, they play much better team D. They won't go as quietly this time.

Kelowna allowed 50 shots at home last night - that never happens. They need to find their game tonight.

Incredible that Everett beat Portland - teams were separated by 60 (yup) points this year!

Flickered Flame · 03-23-2013, 12:04 PM

Everett's goaltender stole the game last night, Portland had almost 60 shots, if that continues it will be a short series, which is what I expect.

Went to the Hitmen game last night, very boring game. Not a lot of quality chances either way. Swift Current plugs up the neutral zone from start to finish.

Matty81 · 03-23-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red John

Not entirely true, Polivka played and Stahl is probably a detriment when he plays, guy puts his team shorthanded with stupid penalties a lot.

That said this is an improved Royals team over last year, they play much better team D. They won't go as quietly this time.

Kelowna allowed 50 shots at home last night - that never happens. They need to find their game tonight.

Incredible that Everett beat Portland - teams were separated by 60 (yup) points this year!

Stahl is undisciplined but he's their number 1 shutdown guy by a longshot, I think he was their only defenseman who was a + on the season (+6) which was 10-20 points better than the rest of their d corp. Against a team like Kamloops that has one amazing line I thought that was the killer blow. Y'know, with their number 1 goalie and Gogolev being gone.

Kelowna kinda sucked last night, coughed up a lead late. 50 shots was over 4 periods and the two teams looked pretty even until the last 5 of OT but still, I don't think they lost to Seattle all year... not a great hockey team.

I really think they are going to have a tough go with Sissons out though, he was probably the worst player the could have lost. He scores a bit but is really the identity player and lead dog on the team with 2 way play, kills penalties and plays in pretty much every situation. Can't believe they lost him in period 3 of the last regular season game, pretty much a worst nightmare scenario.