2011-12 WHL Thread (Hitmen/Rebels/Hurricanes/Tigers!)

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

A lot of stupid penalties, really. Brandon clearly thinks that they are going to win via intimidation. It didn't work. They couldn't even back Virtanen down despite several dirty hits. And once Calgary got up 3-0, the Wheat Kings melted right down. Selfish penalties, numerous hits to the head and frankly, they embarrassed themselves.

Pretty sad result for Brandon, as I thought they were unlucky not to have the lead after one. But after that performance, I hope the Hitmen put them away fast. Preferably before one of their meatheads costs us another injury or two.

Hyperbole is the name of the game when it comes to Resolute discussing the Brandon Wheat Kings

Virtanen didn't receive "several dirty hits" and the "numerous hits to the head" you mention were non existent unless you're talking about the fights. Selfish penalties? Absolutely, they took some stupid ones. Was it a meltdown? Not really. It was playoff hockey. As a fan of the Flames, you've seen them do the exact same things late in playoff games after getting spanked. They lost their cool in certain spots and sent a message for game 3, I'll take that over a team that goes meekly.

Virtanen got himself involved in scrums after the whistle all night because that's the type of player he is. He's not backing down and I like that about him. To say that he was a target of dirty hits is silly and the fact that these accusations haven't been made anywhere else seems to support that these claims are unfounded.

Brandon now has a 2-1 series lead going into game 4 and the series is still wide open but Calgary desperately needs to find a spark. By all accounts, game 3 was a repeat of game 1 in terms of effort for the Hitmen and they just aren't a good enough team to sleepwalk through a series and expect to win. I would imagine they give Sylvester one more game to rest up and then bring him back for game 5 if they lose. They better hope his return flips the script on this series because they haven't shown much so far. I didn't think Brandon had much of a chance coming into this series but the Hitmen seem to be rolling over and daring them to take the series.

Game 4 will no doubt be interesting.

[Resolute 14]

I was wondering when CP's biggest homer would show up. Your Wheat Kings aren't the angels you paint them to be, no matter how hard you work to blind yourself to their faults.

[604flames]

Took in Game Two between Vancouver and Spokane Saturday; Giants could be a dark horse in the West despite finishing with the fourth seed, Morrison played lights out through periods one and two in goal.

Spokane REALLY missed Kichton on the back end.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I was wondering when CP's biggest homer would show up. Your Wheat Kings aren't the angels you paint them to be, no matter how hard you work to blind yourself to their faults.

Come on Res, you have to admit you are as bad or worse with the Hitmen!

I'm jusy waiting to hear all the wonderful insights into how crappy the Warriors are this year.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I was wondering when CP's biggest homer would show up. Your Wheat Kings aren't the angels you paint them to be, no matter how hard you work to blind yourself to their faults.

These are all games played this past Saturday...

Vancouver beat Spokane 7-3 in a game where the score got out of hand. These were the penalties..



Kamloops beat Victoria 7-4 in a game where the score got out of hand.



Portland beat Kelowna 4-0 in a game where the score got out of hand.



Moose Jaw beat Regina 8-1 in a game where the score got out of hand.



Welcome to WHL Playoff hockey.

[FCAV]

Hitmen in tough. Fell 3-1 tonight to Brandon, pushing them down 3-1 in the series.

On another note, Victoria/Kamloops tonight has been a heck of an interesting game. Victoria took a 2-0 lead into the second period. Score was 6-4 heading into the third for Kamloops.

It's now 6-5 a minute into the third...

[St. Pats]

Listened a bit to the Hitmen broadcast last night on my travels. The comments were that Brandon was just a far grittier team. Basically they just want it more and the Hitmen have no push back. Don't really follow them that closely but that isn't a very positive statement about a team if true.

[dhc-2]

It would really help us if we had Rask back and Bubnick was actually putting up points.

[Flickered Flame]

And the Hitmen are eliminated, Brandon just won game 5 in OT. Boes was the best player in the series, he was very good between the pipes for the Wheaties. Nevertheless, a great turnaround for the Hitmen franchise and the young kids looked good in the playoffs, should be a good team again next year.

[Puppet Guy]

well, I'll take solace knowing the Hitmen had a longer playoff run than the Flames will.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

Way to go Wheaties!

[Trojan97]

The Hitmen were really let down by their vets. Bubnick in particular did nothing all series outside of a couple bonehead penalties early in game one. Gogolev was really dangerous all series but he's not good enough to carry a team on his back. On defence, there wasn't really anyone who stepped up to anchor the group and they looked shaky all series because of it.

That said, Virtanen impressed the hell out of me. I loved the way he stood up for himself and gave back as much as he took. Him and Chase are going to be a great pairing for years to come. Even Dreidger, who was extremely shaky, looks like he has a good future and should be fine to lead the team back to the playoffs next season.

From the Brandon perspective, their experience advantage was obvious. Guys like Stone, Melnychuk, Ferland, Ciarelli, Walker, Miller all have Playoff/Memorial Cup experience and know what it's like to play in big games. With Boes as hot as any goalie in Canada right now, I think they'll have a hard fought series with Edmonton. I'd expect every game to be very close.

Go Wheat Kings!

[Trojan97]

Also, Ty Rattie has his 9th goal already in 11.5 periods of playoff hockey. The guy is just disgusting.

The West is WIDE open right now. Just too many good teams playing good hockey right now to have any idea who's going to come out of it.

[Resolute 14]

Losing two two scorers didn't help at all, but I think I saw it mentioned on Twitter last night that while Glover was #2 in the playoffs for save percentage (or GAA, don't remember), but that Boes was #1. Great goaltending can take you far.

[Drake]

Penticton Vees will play the Brooks Bandits in the Doyle Cup as the winner advances to the Royal Bank Cup in Humboldt. Game 1 goes Friday night in Brooks. Nick Crosby was definitely watching over the Bandits tonight.

[Trojan97]

Can't say enough about the run Edmonton is on. 22 wins and counting is incredible. Moose Jaw has fought hard this round but I'm thinking the loss tonight will have them mailing in game 4.

[speede5]

Well at least they broke their streak. What a game! Edmonton was getting so frustrated, you could see the defeat in their faces after the 3 goal. They actually had me believing they could take it to 7. Sad day for MJ, this team was something else. Edmonton is a nice deep team, and they deserve to be where they are, but they need to give a lot of credit to incredible goaltending. Broissault stole that series.

[Red John]

Not sure where else to put this, but the Penticton Vees just capped off a stellar 54-4 season by winning a thrilling RBC Cup over Woodstock, 4-3 with a PP goal in the final minute.

Would have been quite a shame to put up that kind of season and not win it all...the pressure on the kids to get it done must have been enormous and they came through in dramatic fashion.

Congrats to the Vees.

[Flickered Flame]

Edmonton has just won the WHL over Portland. My bet is on St. John to repeat as Mem. Cup champs.