Monday, March 18, 2013

Playoff Matchups Round #1 2013

Eastern Conference

(1) Edmonton Oil Kings vs. (8) Kootenay Ice
Oil Kings:
- Strengths - Very deep. Balanced scoring. Formidable defense.
- Weaknesses - Complacency. Shaky goaltending at times.
Ice:
- Strengths - High octane top line. Enthusiastic club.
- Weaknesses - Not very deep, lack of offense from blueline.
Prediction: Oil Kings in 4

(2) Saskatoon Blades vs (7) Medicine Hat Tigers
Blades:
- Strengths - High end top line. Defense is stout, goaltending strong.
- Weaknesses - Underachieved a lot of the year. Bottom end scoring.
Tigers:
- Strengths - High energy offense. Goaltending can steal a game.
- Weaknesses - Defensively suspect. Club not deep.
Prediction: Blades in 5

(3) Calgary Hitmen vs. (6) Swift Current Broncos
Hitmen:
- Strengths - Great blend of skill and grit. Solid defense.
- Weaknesses - Immobile defense. Scoring comes and goes.
Broncos:
- Strengths - Solid defensively, Great goaltending.
- Weaknesses - Lack of scoring depth. Overall team speed.
Prediction: Hitmen in 7

(4) Red Deer Rebels vs. (5) Prince Albert Raiders
Rebels:
- Strengths - Balanced scoring. Strong goaltending. High energy club.
- Weaknesses - Lack of high end scoring. Smallish club.
Raiders:
- Strengths - Very balanced team. Methodical. Solid goaltending.
- Weaknesses - Lack of high end scoring. Inconsistent club.
Prediction: Rebels in 7

Western Conference:

(1) Portland Winter Hawks vs. (8) Everett Silvertips
Winter Hawks:
- Strengths - Top end scoring. Great team defense. Solid goaltending.
- Weaknesses - Smaller team. Battling complacency.
Silvertips:
- Strengths - Decent defensively. Gritty, hard working club.
- Weaknesses - Lack of scoring. Lack of depth.
Prediction: Winter Hawks in 4

(2) Kelowna Rockets vs. (7) Seattle Thunderbirds
Rockets:
- Strengths - Great team depth. Solid goaltending. Solid defense group.
- Weaknesses - Team size is average. May have already peaked.
Thunderbirds:
- Strength - Solid goaltending. Run & gun club.
- Weaknesses - No high end scoring talent. Defensively weak.
Prediction: Rockets in 5

(3) Kamloops Blazers vs. (6) Victoria Royals
Blazers:
- Strengths - High end offense. Defensively sound. Solid goaltending
- Weaknesses - Lack of offense from defense. Smaller forwards.
Royals:
- Strengths - Excellent blend of skill & grit. Goaltending can steal a game.
- Weaknesses - Defensively weak. Easily give up on games.
Prediction: Blazers in 5

(4) Spokane Chiefs vs. (5) Tri-City Americans
Chiefs:
- Strengths - High team hockey IQ. Solid top line. Strong team defense.
- Weaknesses - Inconsistant goaltending. Lack of scoring depth.
Americans:
- Strengths - Balanced club. High gamesmanship.
- Weaknesses - Inconsistant goaltending. Smallish club.
Prediction: Chiefs in 7

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