2014-2015 WHL Thread

[Trojan97]

Good win for the Oil Kings in game 1 vs Brandon. Will be interesting to see how Brandon responds in game 2.

[Colonel Blimp]

Hitmen really need to level the series on Sunday - first one was close..........

[Trojan97]

Good win by Brandon to even up the series. An 8-1 score is much more indicative of how this series SHOULD go. We'll see how the next two games go in Edmonton.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Colonel Blimp

Hitmen really need to level the series on Sunday - first one was close..........

Score was closer than the game. The Hitmen couldn't get out of their own way for most of the night.

And for those who want to believe Virtanen won't be that great in Vancouver, last night was a good argument for that.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Good win by Brandon to even up the series. An 8-1 score is much more indicative of how this series SHOULD go. We'll see how the next two games go in Edmonton.

Three games.

Edmonton still in the drivers seat.

[Flickered Flame]

I said it last year and I will say it again. The Ice were the worst possible matchup for the Hitmen. The Ice, regardless of rosters and who is on each team, always play the Hitmen tough. It is never an easy game or series.

The Hitmen need their best players to be their best players and last night they will not. I still think the Hitmen will win the series but its going 6 or 7.

[pgsieve]

I have to make the following obligatory statements:

1. Go Cougars!
2. Watch Jansen Harkins tear up the playoffs
3. Sena Acolatse!

[Trojan97]

How has Virtanen looked in the first two games? I saw he was -3 in game 1 (worst in the game) and has 0 points thru 2 games. I called him out last year in the playoffs for what appears to be a growing trend of him disappearing in big games with the Hitmen. Curious how he's looked outside of the numbers so far...

Edited to give credit to the Oil Kings for an extremely hard fought series thus far vs the WK's, Brandon is extremely fortunate to have won 3-2 on Sunday after managing only four shots in the third period (scoring on two of them to come back from a 2-1 deficit) and surviving a disallowed goal by Edmonton. At the rate it's going, I wouldn't be surprised to see this end up going a full 7 if Brandon can't get their act together.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

How has Virtanen looked in the first two games? I saw he was -3 in game 1 (worst in the game) and has 0 points thru 2 games. I called him out last year in the playoffs for what appears to be a growing trend of him disappearing in big games with the Hitmen. Curious how he's looked outside of the numbers so far...

Was at Game 1. I haven't been to any Hitmen games in the last few years, so I've never seen Virtanen play. I guess when i think 1st round pick, I expect a player to dominate the game. Virtanen was no 1st round pick. He looked lazy and disinterested. He didn't take the body and he didn't drive to the net, didn't do anything a high end pick should do imo. I really hope he picks up his game, otherwise the Canucks have a bust of a pick.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Edited to give credit to the Oil Kings for an extremely hard fought series thus far vs the WK's, Brandon is extremely fortunate to have won 3-2 on Sunday after managing only four shots in the third period (scoring on two of them to come back from a 2-1 deficit) and surviving a disallowed goal by Edmonton. At the rate it's going, I wouldn't be surprised to see this end up going a full 7 if Brandon can't get their act together.

I wasn't at last night's game but I'm going tomorrow for game 4. From what I've heard the OKs really outplayed Brandon. When you're as good as Brandon is, you get some breaks, and they did. The OKs could have had three more goals.

[Resolute 14]

Virtanen has been everything the other six Pacific Division teams hope he will be for the Canucks.

[Trojan97]

Hitmen win 8-7 in OT after Kootenay ties it with 4 seconds left. What a wild one.

[Resolute 14]

That's just silly, really. Glad I am heading east and will miss the rest of this! Hoping to catch Gatineau's playoff game Sunday, if they don't win in 5. Shame the timing and series didn't work out to see Sam Bennett play.

[Flickered Flame]

Basically in last night's game there was just awful, like real bad, goaltending. Which was the story of last year's series as well. There were a few nice goals but the majority of the goals yesterday, all the 3 goaltenders would like back.

[Flickered Flame]

The Hitmen crush the Ice 7-2 tonight. Since game 1, the Hitmen's big gunners have showed up and the Ice can't contain them.

[Trojan97]

Brandon closed it out in double OT. Full marks to the Oil Kings who played one of the most competitive 5 game series I've seen. WK goalie Jordan Papirney was tremendous all series, stopped 180 of 191 shots throughout the five games. Without his performance, it could have easily been upset central for Edmonton.

Cool story for John Quennville to score the OT series winner as a local Edmonton boy. He was great all series.

Brandon moves on to play Regina in round 2. The Wheat Kings won the season series 6-3 and should be pretty heavy favourites. Brandon and Calgary could be on a crash course for the ECF which is always alot of fun when those two teams get together in the playoffs. Still a long way to go though obviously..

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

How has Virtanen looked in the first two games? I saw he was -3 in game 1 (worst in the game) and has 0 points thru 2 games. I called him out last year in the playoffs for what appears to be a growing trend of him disappearing in big games with the Hitmen. Curious how he's looked outside of the numbers so far....

I think Virtanen is one of the most over-rated prospects in hockey. He's got some of the tools, but his instincts for the game are very poor and will hold him back from being an offensive force at the NHL level.
I see him being a quality 3rd liner with some offensive pop - but a guy that fans get incredibly frustrated with because it will always seem like there should be more there.
This has nothing to do with the fact Vancouver was the team that made the mistake of picking him - I felt this way heading into the draft.

[Flickered Flame]

Awful goaltending did the Hitmen in again last night. They still lead the series, game 6 is tonight and 7 is Monday if Kootenay wins tonight.

[Red John]

Hitmen blow 3-1 series lead. Good old Hitmen.

[Trojan97]

30 minutes into Calgary/Kootenay game 7. Kootenay has 3 shots. Brutal.