2023/24 WHL Season Thread

[Roof-Daddy]

The Broncos irritate me this year, they were a thorn in the side of the Tigers all year and now KO'ed the Canes. They shouldn't have even been in this division, they should be in with all the other Sask teams IMO.

Anyways, they mortgaged their future pretty hard to have this team and I'm going to enjoy them being punching bags for several years to come.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Such a close series with the Rebels having things fall their way just enough.

Two OT losses and a 1 goal loss with 0.9 seconds left.

Rebels have been clutch and the Tigers have not.

Clutch and opportunistic - This series should be tied 2-2 as the Tigers should have not lost game 1, but it is what it is. Some interesting stats in the tweet below:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1775907341399151072

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

So disappointing to have them down 3-0 and 4-1 only to #### the bed again.

I mean I'm not delusional enough to think they could win that series but I thought the Canes would give them more of a run for their money than yet another 1st round sweep. IIRC that's three years in a row.

I admire Anholt for being able continually ice a competitive team, I believe that's 8 or 9 years straight of making the playoffs, but what's the point if you're going to get swept away like nothing every year?

The 'Canes have now lost 13 consecutive playoff games...

Who knows how the team would have done during those two covid seasons. In 19/20 they did clinch a spot but everything was cancelled. Dylan Cozens was still the leader of that team so there was a chance to win a round. In 20/21 that was the weird year of just trying to get some games in but no playoffs happened. Nothing was normal. Realistically they should have missed the playoffs that year but who knows how things would have turned out if it was a regular regular season.

[Roof-Daddy]

Tigers bounced in 5 games.

A bit unlucky
A bit of dumb penalties
Wutzke was fantastic

Tigers sure struggled for the last 3 months of the season and then went out with a whimper in the playoffs. Not what you want to see from a young team.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Tigers bounced in 5 games.

A bit unlucky
A bit of dumb penalties
Wutzke was fantastic

Tigers sure struggled for the last 3 months of the season and then went out with a whimper in the playoffs. Not what you want to see from a young team.

I think the Rebels tenacious forecheck just game the Tigers fits the entire season and they could never adjust and get comfortable. As you said, Wutzke was great between the pipes and Zahara got pulled after a quick two goals tonight (first goal was a great shot, second was a softie). I was surprised by the lack of discipline shown by the Tigers, Red Deer did a great job getting under their skin.

[Drake]

Moose Jaw v Swift in the 2nd round is going to be very, very entertaining and I can not wait.

[speede5]

Swift and Red Deer are both going to make the second round tough. I think both series go to home ice in 6.

Edit: I meant the team with home ice advantage takes it, lol, MJ and Stoon.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by speede5

Swift and Red Deer are both going to make the second round tough. I think both series go to home ice in 6.

Yeah I could see the Broncos/Warriors going 7 games, hopefully a great series

I think the Blades will wipe the floor with Red Deer as I just don't see them crumbling under the Rebels relentless forecheck like the Tigers did. Plus the Blades don't take nearly as many penalties as Medicine Hat and it's the lowest scoring playoff team (Red Deer) vs. the best defensive playoff team (Saskatoon).

[Roof-Daddy]

Both the East and West had the exact same bracket results.

The 1, 2, 3 seeds all tore through their opponents like a hot knife through butter while the 5 seeds took out the 4 seeds.

Kelowna played well down the stretch but I just don't see them beating that powerhouse PG line up in a 7 game series.

The other series is very intriguing IMO. Everett seemed to fly under the radar most of the year but they are a good team and finished the season strong going 10-0-2. Portland only finished 6 points ahead of them and eded the season 9-0-2. Both teams cruised to easy first round victories. Could be a real battle.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1777412449978745242

[dash_pinched]

Saskatoon takes game 1 4-1 over the Rebels while Swift Current routs Moose Jaw 7-2 in the opening game of their series.

[dash_pinched]

Moose Jaw returns the favour defeating Swift Current 7-2 in game 2 of their series.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Moose Jaw returns the favour defeating Swift Current 7-2 in game 2 of their series.

Haha. That's one way to have a "close" series

Take turns pummeling each other

[Roof-Daddy]

Portland and PG both easily up 2-0 in their series.

That match up will be two heavy weights going at it.

[dash_pinched]

Red Deer loses their first OT game of these playoffs and are now down 2-0 to the Blades.

[Roof-Daddy]

Wutzke tried to steal that one, glad he didn't.

Normally I'm all for under dogs winning, but I'm not too fond of Red Deer right now.

[dash_pinched]

Saskatoon now has a 3-0 stranglehold on the series with Red Deer. They're showing why they essentially led from start to finish in the Eastern Conference this season.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Saskatoon now has a 3-0 stranglehold on the series with Red Deer. They're showing why they essentially led from start to finish in the Eastern Conference this season.

Chase Wutzke was unavailable last night after being charged by Easton Armstrong on Sunday. So was #2 goalie Rhett Stoesser who is also injured. Two APs with zero WHL experience dressed last night.

Evan Gardner also got pulled for Saskatoon while leading. Interesting if they go back to him or Austin Elliott for game 4.

[Roof-Daddy]

Kelowna, like Everett the night before against Portland, gave a real solid game 3 push but ultimately came up short and are now down 3-0.

Really interested to see if the winner of Swift/MJ can give the Blades a run for their money, and a battle between Portland/PG should be fun too.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Drake

Chase Wutzke was unavailable last night after being charged by Easton Armstrong on Sunday. So was #2 goalie Rhett Stoesser who is also injured. Two APs with zero WHL experience dressed last night.

Evan Gardner also got pulled for Saskatoon while leading. Interesting if they go back to him or Austin Elliott for game 4.

Man you gotta feel for this young goalie. Getting lit up again tonight, 4 goals on 12 shots in the first. 4-0 Blades, two more periods for the sweep.

Tough way to get introduced to the next level. Hopefully has some thick skin.