2009 Hitmen/WHL Playoffs

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by moon

If the Hitmen face the Tigers next round and the Blades miraculously beat the Wheatkings it could be 3 straight easy 4 game sweeps for the Hitmen leading into their showdown with the Giants.

If I were a Hitmen fan I would be a huge fan of the Blades right now. Wheatkings appear to be the only threat to giving the Hitmen any trouble prior to the WHL finals.

There isn't a team in the East that scares me. Certainly any of the remaining teams could beat us, but there isn't one that I look at and go "I don't wanna play them." But we'll see. To be challenged a little might help the Hitmen in the long run, and I don't see Lethbridge or Medicine Hat providing that.

As far as Dansereau goes, I wonder if he regrets his nonsense to start last season? He managed to get himself kicked off of a team that won the East, then won the league in the regular season, and went to the semis last year and is still alive today, while he's wondering "what next?".

[moon]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There isn't a team in the East that scares me. Certainly any of the remaining teams could beat us, but there isn't one that I look at and go "I don't wanna play them." But we'll see. To be challenged a little might help the Hitmen in the long run, and I don't see Lethbridge or Medicine Hat providing that.

As far as Dansereau goes, I wonder if he regrets his nonsense to start last season? He managed to get himself kicked off of a team that won the East, then won the league in the regular season, and went to the semis last year and is still alive today, while he's wondering "what next?".

I think the Hitmen go straight to the WHL finals but that the Hurricanes or Wheatkings could win a game or two in a series from them.

The Hurricanes likely are a easy 4 games with a game or two in there where they actually show up to give the Hitmen some trouble. Plus, do you want to play the last 5/10 minutes against them with the series in hand and Wright/Versteeg done in the WHL and Beach out there as well. That could be the "riskiest" time for the Hitmen all Eastern play-offs long.

[604flames]

Originally Posted by FallingMeTook

I must say it's a little weird listening to a Medicine Hat broadcast. Only one guy to call the entire came, no colour analyst or anything similar, and the same guy covers the brief postgame wrapup. not to mention the fact that he seems like a grandfatherly type, and a little confused, such as stating that the Tigers might play Saskatoon in the next round.

Bob Ridley has been calling their games pretty much since they came into the league. He also drives their team bus. Said hi to him when the Tigers were out here this year, he's got so many great stories.

[johnnyluv]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There isn't a team in the East that scares me. Certainly any of the remaining teams could beat us, but there isn't one that I look at and go "I don't wanna play them." But we'll see. To be challenged a little might help the Hitmen in the long run, and I don't see Lethbridge or Medicine Hat providing that.

As far as Dansereau goes, I wonder if he regrets his nonsense to start last season? He managed to get himself kicked off of a team that won the East, then won the league in the regular season, and went to the semis last year and is still alive today, while he's wondering "what next?".

I'm sure he regrets it, although perhaps not as much as the Broncos' GM does. Knowing what we know now, Bortis alone for Dansereau isn't totally fair.

I only fear Kelowna, really, and not that much if Backlund's injury is serious. Lance Bouma is not quite enough muscle to wear down Calgary.

[moon]

Originally Posted by johnnyluv

I'm sure he regrets it, although perhaps not as much as the Broncos' GM does. Knowing what we know now, Bortis alone for Dansereau isn't totally fair.

I only fear Kelowna, really, and not that much if Backlund's injury is serious. Lance Bouma is not quite enough muscle to wear down Calgary.

I would think that the concern with the Giants isn't Bouma wearing them down but moreso Kane, Pierro-Zabotel and Blum scoring on them.

I know that the Hitmen ended up with more points than the Giants and that Hitmen fans are fat and sassy this year but lets not act as though the Giants are some speed bump on the way to the Memorial Cup for the Hitmen.

They should be the favorites if that was the series, but it will be a tough seires and Calgary will have to be at its best to beat the Giants.

[johnnyluv]

^^Fair. The Giants should take Calgary to 6 or 7 games if they do lose to us. I'm not certain that we'll face them at all if we reach the finals, though. Can they take a series against the tough and oft-dirty Rockets?

[moon]

Originally Posted by johnnyluv

^^Fair. The Giants should take Calgary to 6 or 7 games if they do lose to us. I'm not certain that we'll face them at all if we reach the finals, though. Can they take a series against the tough and oft-dirty Rockets?

I think the Giants have shown through their play this year and in the past that they can take a series against any team in the league this year.

They stumbled a bit at the end but that doesn't change the fact that for 90% of the year they were as good or better than Calgary and for the whole season they were better than anyone else.

The Giants are a good team, better than the Rockets. They certainly could lose to them but they are the better team.

[Resolute 14]

Yeah, Vancouver is a tough matchup for anybody.

But that is looking too far ahead. First we have to deal with either Lethbridge or Medicine Hat. wonder if Fan960 is going to pick up this game seven like they did last night's game 7?

[604flames]

Quite honestly, I think the Giants should best not think about the Western final (although a lot of people in these parts are already). They overlooked Spokane last year and got spanked. Mind you, the Chiefs aren't quite as good this year as they were last year, but they will still be a challenge for the Giants. I'm quite glad that Shaw will be carrying the series too (from what I understand).

As for the Rockets, they are way deeper up front, blue line is larger but skill-wise it's a wash. Kelowna's only "weak" spot is between the pipes, and I'd suggest that's more due to Guggenberger being unproven rather than second-rate.

[Jagger]

I know that the Hitmen owned the Canes this season but I would be a tad worried about meeting them, if I were a Hitmen fan. Is there a team that underachieved more than them this season? I don't think so. Of course, I believe that Calgary will prevail over a seven game series but the Canes might give them a few problems.

The Tigers would be a far easier matchup imo.

[Resolute 14]

I'd say that, 78 games into the season, the Hurricanes have shown nothing to indicate they have a higher level. They are a team that never met expectations, but in retrospect, I'd say expectations were simply unfounded.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I'd say that, 78 games into the season, the Hurricanes have shown nothing to indicate they have a higher level. They are a team that never met expectations, but in retrospect, I'd say expectations were simply unfounded.

They have shown plenty to indicate that they have a higher level, what they haven't done is show anything to indicate that they can maintain that.

They have had a bunch of very good wins and some "good" losses as well that show that when at their best they are a very good team.

Is this series alone I think that they have shown their top end ability. The problem is that they rarely play that way and too often decide to shut it down rather than work hard and play at their best.

[Flickered Flame]

Bring on the Hurricanes!

[johnnyluv]

The Wheat Kings' chances of making the East Final just got that much better.

[LockedOut]

Have they announced the home-away format for the Hitmen/Canes series? 2-3-2 or 2-2-1-1-1?

[dionfan]

It's 2-3-2

The Wheaties/Tigers series has a messed up schedule. 2-3-1-1

[Buff]

The Canes and Hitmen are going to have a legendary series. There is some unfinished business to take care of from last year's series. Namely 8 straight playoff wins over the Hitmen!

Go Canes!

</blatant, yet intended light hearted trolling>

Maybe I'll see some of you next week in Lethbridge... I'll see you crying after another sweep by the Hurricanes!

<cross fingers>
</trolling, this time for real, I promise>
</cross fingers>

Go Canes Go!

[Jagger]

Like I said before I believe the Hitmen will prevail but the Canes are going to put up a much better fight and might even win a game or two. Could they pull off a huge upset? Highly unlikely but that's why they play the games, right?

The Hitmen might even know that they've been in a series this time out.

edit: Oh yeah, might as well keep the anti-Hitmen sentiment going! (It worked so well last time out as an Oil Kings supporter!)

Go Canes Go! This might be the only time I can cheer for the likes of Kyle Beach! Luckily it will only be for 4 to 6 games.....

[Dion]

Originally Posted by dionfan

It's 2-3-2

The Wheaties/Tigers series has a messed up schedule. 2-3-1-1

The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is running through to Saturday at the Wheat Kings home arena, Thus the Tigers get to start at home.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Jagger

Like I said before I believe the Hitmen will prevail but the Canes are going to put up a much better fight and might even win a game or two. Could they pull off a huge upset? Highly unlikely but that's why they play the games, right?

Pretty sure Lowry will be bringing up last year's sweep at the hands of Lethbridge as a reason not to get complacent. This should be a better series though, I agree.