2012-13 WHL Season Thread (Hitmen, Rebels, Canes, Tigers, et al)

[Red John]

Originally Posted by moon

I may have missed something but wasn't that series supposed to be a walk in the park for Kelowna?

Werent the bottom play-offs team in the West as bad as the non-play-off teams in the East?

It certainly was initially - but when you lose your team MVP on the last game of the regular season, then lose another top six forward and two d-men it makes it tough. They had to play several 15 year olds for regular shifts the last two games.

Also consider that the Rockets lost all three games in OT - they could have just as easily swept the series without playing their A game, but to win four straight facing elimination is still impressive.

One last note - Seattle played Portland 10 times this season - they were probably a better team than advertised and would have had a better record than they did.

On paper it should have been an easy series (50 points ahead) but this is why they play the games.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Red John

It certainly was initially - but when you lose your team MVP on the last game of the regular season, then lose another top six forward and two d-men it makes it tough. They had to play several 15 year olds for regular shifts the last two games.

Also consider that the Rockets lost all three games in OT - they could have just as easily swept the series without playing their A game, but to win four straight facing elimination is still impressive.

One last note - Seattle played Portland 10 times this season - they were probably a better team than advertised and would have had a better record than they did.

On paper it should have been an easy series (50 points ahead) but this is why they play the games.

Thanks.

With the Canes out of it for so long I haven't paid as much attention to the WHL so missed those things.

3 OT losses is tough and explains a lot.

[Matty81]

First two games will tell the tale for Kelowna-Kamloops. Kelowna ain't winning 4 in a row against Kamloops so they need at least a split at home and with how beat up they are it's a big ask. If they can take a game, maybe they get a player or two back midseries and they make it a scrap. Playing with 4 d-men over seven games is not going to pan out against a good team, they will need Jesse Lees back since I think the other 3 d-men are all long term.

Kamloops losing Bozon is pretty big because after their top 4 forwards there is a huge drop-off (although Kessy managed to keep himself under control pretty good in the second half and has been scoring).

Thinking Medicine Hat is going to get pummelled but I'm wondering if Portland and Calgary might have tough fights on their hands, Spokane is one of the hottest teams in the league lately (14-2 run) and Red Deer might have the best goalie in the league which is always a wildcard in the playoffs.

[Flickered Flame]

2nd round predictions:
Edmonton in 5
Calgary in 6
Portland in 6
Kamloops in 7

[LockedOut]

Looks like Kamloops vs Kelowna is on Shaw this round.

[Resolute 14]

Hitmen are on Sportsnet One tonight following the Davis Cup, and Sportsnet's main channels following the Jays game. 7:30 start.

Looking forward to tonight's tilt. Love playing Red Deer. Regardless of how the media tries to hype Calgary-Edmonton, Hitmen v Rebels is the WHL's real Battle of Alberta.

[Matty81]

BC series is 1-0 Blazers... All the other series appear to be cakewalks for the favourites.

Kamloops had a couple extra nights off and the reffing was horrible, (I think 4 or 5 powerplays to 1 for Kamloops and a couple phantom calls) but I think Kamloops just generally looked like a better hockey team, more effort and more skill tonight.

Wrench in the series was that Colin Smith appeared to have been concussed pretty badly, would be surprised if he plays tomorrow. Would take the Blazers down to just Lipon and Ranford left out of their big 4. Hit was late by Baillie but didn't seem that violent - I dunno if he hit his head on the ice or what - too bad for the Blazers if it was a bad concussion, him and Bozon being gone might make a series win against the Rockets the high water mark for this generation of Blazers as the Hawks are way too strong for them to have a chance against without those two.

[Hatter]

Really enjoyed the Tigers series over the Blades, but they just don't have the depth to hang with the Oil Kings. Shinkaruk, Valk, and Lannigan can only do so much.

I just hope they can manage to snag a game or two.

[Red John]

The Rockets and Blazers are two completely different teams from each other and this series is more a chess match than anything else...for anyone who's interested in the tactical side of the game here is a primer for the series:

When Kamloops has the puck.....

-The Blazers really struggle on the breakout and through the neutral zone especially under heavy pressure, but once over the blueline they are the best team in the WHL...their cycling game is second to none and are excellent at creating 2 on 1s down low turning them into easy goals. They don't create a ton of offense but the chances they do create are 10-bell opportunities, either tap-in goals off the cycle or off turnovers from the forecheck (their 1-man forecheck is surprisingly efficient). They love running plays across the grain. It's obvious with Kelowna's injuries on the back end, the Blazers intend to chip pucks in deep and put pressure on the young defensemen - something that worked moderately well tonight.

-Kelowna's defensive structure is based around pressure everywhere on the ice and winning 1 on 1 battles. Generally the D are very smart with the puck but tonight they made a couple of turnovers that cost them or should have (Cooke made some huge saves). The Blazers absolutely kill teams that allow them time and space to operate and Kelowna generally does a great job playing aggressive on the puck carrier and forcing quicker, worse decisions. Frankly the Rockets defensive structure is far superior to the Blazers.


When Kelowna has the puck...

-The Rockets are opposite the Blazers, they generally prefer to carry the puck into the offensive zone instead of dumping and chasing (something they did adapt and do against Seattle). The Blazers defensemen are big and slow and the Rockets attempt to beat them wide. Quick passes will open up nice shooting lanes from prime spots as the Blazers don't collapse to the slot like Seattle does. This will favour Kelowna in the long run. They had zero offensive legs tonight and still scored twice creating a few other chances.

-The Blazers have a very weak defensive structure - their D struggle big time to move the puck smartly and have always had trouble with the Rockets, a team that doesn't give them time and space and pressures the defense big time. The Blazers did a nice job blocking shots tonight but they are at times clueless in the defensive zone, often getting drawn into the corners and leaving guys open in the slot (especially against teams that can move the puck quickly). Definitely a more conservative approach but the Rockets are not a team you want to give time and space to. Small speedy players like Zach Franko had no place in the series against Seattle but will likely thrive against the Blazers who just don't punish and wear down the opposition.


Powerplay:

-Kamloops likes to create goals from down low off the cycle. They won't create many chances against an aggressive Kelowna PK but the ones they do create will be lethal. Went 2 for 4 tonight.

-Kelowna is a patient team that doesn't really favour one particular kind of scoring play on the PP - they just work it around intelligently until there's a good chance. Most of their players have a high hockey IQ and though the forwards lack pure sniper talent the defensemen have good shots and often create goals either from a point blast or a rebound from one.


Penalty kill:

-Kamloops is a bad penalty killing team. They don't fare well against PP units that move around constantly. It's amazing how inept they are at reading back-door plays - Kelowna is relatively good at this and will probably score a few PP goals this way in the series. They however are a fairly disciplined team and won't put themselves shorthanded too much.

-Kelowna is a wildly aggressive PK team especially on the points. The Rockets obviously don't respect the ability of the Blazers D to move the puck swiftly from the point and won't give them any time and space - it does get the Rockets in trouble occasionally when the Blazers can work it low and create an odd-man situation leading to an easy tap in goal, so this will be a defining matchup in this series - with the Blazers injuries up front they will likely need a good PP to provide offense for them.


Goaltending:

-Cole Cheveldave likes to sit deep in his net but sometimes relies on his reflexes too much. He doesn't battle to find pucks in traffic so look for the Rockets to try and create havoc in front of his net and score some dirty goals.

-Jordon Cooke is a classic hot and cold netminder - he'll make a couple brilliant saves (he does read the play well and often stops sure goals this way) but then let in a softy...he seems susceptible to bad angle shots. Thrives when facing a lot of shots but can lose focus when not.


Injuries:

-The Colin Smith concussion changes this entire series. Kamloops never looked the same without him and his skating ability to navigate the neutral zone. If he misses this series the Blazers go from favourites to toss-up at best - he's that important to them especially with Bozon gone already.

-The Rockets got a still-injured Mitch Wheaton back but frankly doubt he'll be a huge factor in this series - he's big and even slower than normal with a still-bad shoulder...a huge downgrade on Jesse Lees who is exactly the kind of defenseman the Rockets need against the Blazers.


The skinny:

-This is the ultimate chess match of opposing strategies - does passive D and cycling O (Blazers) trump puck pursuit D and aggressive O (Rockets)?

Personally feel that the Rockets style is more conducive to success and all things being equal they should win the series, but a gruelling first round and many injuries changes things.

As it stands neither team stands a good chance to beat Portland in the next round - Kamloops doesn't have the structure or the guns, and Kelowna has the structure but not enough healthy bodies or energy level left. Still like the Rockets to win this series though, with Smith's injury.

[Red John]

Every second round series could be over quickly, wonder if they would start the 3rd round earlier if this happened.

Each series started 2-0, though Red Deer did win last night. Still see the Hitmen winning in six or less, Edmonton perhaps in a sweep, same with Portland, Kelowna series is tough to call, could be a long one still.

[Matty81]

Kelowna Kamloops looks like it is going to be over quick.

I think any leveling out of the injury situation with Smith going out was negated when the league suspended Baillie for 2 (1 too many in my mind). Wheaton and Rigby came back for the Rockets but only because they are both in the same situation (separated shoulders needing surgery) and were told that they couldn't make their shoulders any worse before surgeries scheduled for next month - tells you how useful the reinforcements are and why Wheaton is giving the puck away like candy.

Ranford is really giving it all he's got, I think he knows he's headed the CIS shortly and is desperate to prove he deserves a cup of coffee in the ECHL.

[Nufy]

Hitmen up 3-1 after an overtime win tonight.

[Dion]

Cody Sylvester with the OT winner!

[Red John]

Pretty surprised at the Blazers Rockets outcome tonight. Thought Kelowna was by far the better team but some spotty goaltending and timely momentum-changing goals was the difference.

Doubt Kelowna comes back from 0-3 down again but expect them to still win at least a game or two and make it interesting.

Hitmen win again, nice to see. Would love to see a Kamloops-Calgary final. Disappointing to see Calgary not supporting their most successful local hockey team again. They set a WHL attendance record in 2004-05, and really should be getting on board this year. The Hitmen deserve it.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Red John

Pretty surprised at the Blazers Rockets outcome tonight. Thought Kelowna was by far the better team but some spotty goaltending and timely momentum-changing goals was the difference.

Doubt Kelowna comes back from 0-3 down again but expect them to still win at least a game or two and make it interesting.

Hitmen win again, nice to see. Would love to see a Kamloops-Calgary final. Disappointing to see Calgary not supporting their most successful local hockey team again. They set a WHL attendance record in 2004-05, and really should be getting on board this year. The Hitmen deserve it.

The fans did support the team well during the league finals a few years back. I suspect when they do play Edmonton in the west final, fans will pack the Dome.

[MoneyGuy]

If any Hitmen fans want an avatar bet with an Oil Kings fan, send me a PM. I may not see it here. It's looking like a Calgary-Edmonton series coming up. I think that will be awesome. It's been a long time since we've had a meaningful series like that.

In the west, I have a friend in Kamloops who knows one of the coaches. I know coaches have to say this, but the coaches absolutely believe they can beat Portland. I don't think so, but we shall see.

[Freeway]

Kamloops/Portland and Edmonton/Calgary are series that we've been predicting to see since the first week of the season, but DAMN, they are sure gonna be fun.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Kamloops/Portland and Edmonton/Calgary are series that we've been predicting to see since the first week of the season, but DAMN, they are sure gonna be fun.

Yes, me too, so these playoffs have gone according to script. Right from Day 1 I've been saying an Edmonton-Portland rematch, with the same result as last season. The Oil Kings are intent on rewriting the script of last year's Memorial Cup and have added pieces they feel they need to do that - Samuelsson, Cheek and Musil.

You guys will like how Brossoit is playing. The defense in front of him is the best in the league, and on the odd occasion when the opposition gets a scoring chance, Brossoit has been almost unbeatable. This team is damn hard to score on.

[Red John]

Calgary has a good shot at beating Dumpsville, and there's something that doesn't feel right about Portland right now...call it a hunch.

Kamloops vs Calgary in the final.

[Flickered Flame]

Not one team facing elimination was able to extend their series tonight. Watching Portland online, I think they have looked solid, particularly in this series. I think they will beat the Blazers but it could easily be a 7 game series.