2005 WHL Playoff Preview

CALGARY, AB – The race for Western Hockey League supremacy and a shot at the Memorial Cup begins as the 2005 WHL playoffs kick off tonight. Here’s a look at the first-round division semi-final match-ups.
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rEASTERN CONFERENCE
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rEast Division
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r(1) Brandon Wheat Kings vs (4) Moose Jaw Warriors
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Brandon won series 8-0-1
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
r Brandon: Eric Fehr 9gp-11g-7a-18pts
r Ryan Stone 9gp-5g-10a-15pts
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rMoose Jaw: Kenndal McArdle 9gp-5g-1a-6pts
r Riley Holzapfel 8gp-3g-2a-5pts
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rThe Brandon Wheat Kings come in as East division champions after a superb second half of the regular season that included a 15-game winning streak.
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rThe Wheat Kings have the most potent offense in the league, mainly due to their dominating power play, which will work in their favor against a Warriors team that allowed nearly 300 goals this season. The Wheat Kings will also have to make the most of their home-ice advantage as the Warriors only won four games on the road all season. The play of rookie netminder Tyler Plant will be a big factor in determining the Wheaties’ post-season fate.
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rThe Warriors got themselves into the playoffs despite a 19-game winless skid to start the 2004-05 season and finishing the season 33 games under the .500 mark.
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rThe Warriors have the ability to generate offence with players such as Kenndal McArdle and Dustin Boyd leading the attack. However, if they want any chance of winning this series, they’ll need to stay out of the penalty box and shore up their defensive game in order to stop the Wheat Kings’ deadly offense featuring the likes of Eric Fehr, Ryan Stone, Lance Monych and Tim Konsorada.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rMoose Jaw @ Brandon; Friday, March 25
rMoose Jaw @ Brandon; Sunday, March 27 (in Winnipeg)
rBrandon @ Moose Jaw; Wednesday, March 30
rBrandon @ Moose Jaw; Saturday, April 1
rBrandon @ Moose Jaw; Sunday, April 2 (if necessary)
rMoose Jaw @ Brandon; Tuesday, April 5 (if necessary)
rMoose Jaw @ Brandon; Wednesday, April 6 (if necessary)
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r(2) Saskatoon Blades vs (3) Prince Albert Raiders
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Saskatoon won series 6-4-0
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
rSaskatoon: Ryan Keller 9gp-5g-5a-10pts
r Wacey Rabbit 9gp-3g-5a-8pts
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rPrince Albert: Jeremy Colliton 6gp-3g-5a-8pts
r Luke Fritshaw 10gp-1g-7a-8pts
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rThe Blades find themselves back in the playoffs after winning only seven games during the 2003-04 season. After leading the East division for much of the season and becoming the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season, the Blades were overtaken by the surging Wheat Kings at the end of February.
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rThe Blades may have trailed off from their early-season form, but they are still a dangerous team. The keys to success for the Blades will be getting their run-and-gun offense – with the likes of Ryan Keller, Devin Setoguchi, Wacey Rabbit and Joe Barnes – back on track. They’ll also need some solid netminding from Ryan Cyr.
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rThe Raiders have spent almost the entire season in third place in the division, never really living up to the pre-season expectations of a division title.
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rThe key to success for the Raiders will be the netminding of Rejean Beauchemin. The 19-year-old Canadian World Junior goaltender has been inconsistent through the regular season. However, when on his game, Beauchemin can be the difference between winning and losing, especially against an offensively charged Saskatoon roster. One big bonus for the Raiders is they’ll have a healthy Jeremy Colliton for their series with Saskatoon. The addition of Colliton, the team’s captain, will make a huge difference in the Raiders’ attack and in the dressing room.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rPrince Albert @ Saskatoon; Wednesday, March 23
rSaskatoon @ Prince Albert; Saturday, March 26
rPrince Albert @ Saskatoon; Monday, March 28
rSaskatoon @ Prince Albert; Wednesday, March 30
rPrince Albert @ Saskatoon; Friday, April 1 (if necessary)
rSaskatoon @ Prince Albert; Saturday, April 2 (if necessary)
rPrince Albert @ Saskatoon; Tuesday, April 5 (if necessary)
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rCentral Division
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r(1) Medicine Hat Tigers vs (4) Red Deer Rebels
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Medicine Hat won series 4-1-1
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
r Medicine Hat: Roman Psurny 6gp-2g-5a-7pts
r Darren Helm 6gp-4g-1a-5pts
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r Red Deer: Ty Morris 5gp-2g-4a-6pts
r Roman Wick 5gp-2g-3a-5pts
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rThe Medicine Hat Tigers enjoyed another solid regular season, winning their second straight Central division and Eastern conference crowns, and are looking to defend their WHL championship.
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rThe Tigers are a team built for the playoffs. They have scoring depth up front, starting with 34-goal man Stefan Meyer and Canadian World Junior Clarke MacArthur. They have a dynamic defence that can score, with the likes of Kris Russell and Cam Barker, and keep the puck out, with names like Cody Blanshan and Steve Marr. The Tigers also have one of the best goaltending tandems in the league in Kevin Nastiuk and Matt Keetley. Put it all together, and you have one very tough team to beat.
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rDespite being 10 games over .500, the Rebels only managed a fourth-place finish in the Central division – their lowest finish in the division since the 1995-96 season.
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rOffense hasn’t been a problem for the Rebels. With a line-up featuring rookie scoring leader Roman Wick, playmaker Ty Morris, and Canadian World Junior tandem of Colin Fraser and Dion Phaneuf, the Rebels should be able to find the net. In Phaneuf, they also have the CHL’s best defenceman. The key for Red Deer will be keeping pucks out of their net. 20-year-old netminder Jerry Festa has struggled with consistency this season, leaving rookie Andrew Leslie the job for the majority of February and March. If the Rebels can get strong goaltending from one of the two, they could give the Tigers a run for their money.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rRed Deer @ Medicine Hat; Saturday, March 26
rRed Deer @ Medicine Hat; Sunday, March 27
rMedicine Hat @ Red Deer; Tuesday, March 29
rMedicine Hat @ Red Deer; Wednesday, March 30
rRed Deer @ Medicine Hat; Friday, April 1 (if necessary)
rMedicine Hat @ Red Deer; Sunday, April 3 (if necessary)
rRed Deer @ Medicine Hat; Tuesday, April 5 (if necessary)
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r(2) Lethbridge Hurricanes vs (3) Calgary Hitmen
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Calgary won series 3-2-1
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
r Lethbridge: Colton Yellow Horn 6gp-1g-8a-9pts
r Jonathan Filewich 6gp-5g-3a-8pts
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r Calgary: Andrew Ladd 6gp-3g-1a-4pts
r Steve Covington 6gp-3g-1a-4pts
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rLethbridge is back in the post-season after missing the previous two playoffs. After a slow start to the season, the Hurricanes found their groove and have been one of the league’s best and most consistent teams from the end of October on, ending up second in a strong Central division.
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rThe Hurricanes possess great speed and offensive ability up front led by 42-goal man Jonathan Filewich, sensational sophomore Colton Yellow Horn, and 2003-04 league scoring champ Tyler Redenbach. Their solid defence, led by World Junior standout Brent Seabrook, and the steady goaltending of Aaron Sorochan, helped keep their goals-against to just 162 – the second-lowest goals allowed of any team in the Eastern conference. The key to success for Lethbridge will be shutting down Calgary’s much bigger forwards, and using their speed and creativity to score goals. When at his best, Sorochan has the ability to steal a game on his own.
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rCalgary finished the regular season in third place in the Central division – a mediocre result from a team expected to be a real contender at the season’s outset.
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rWhile consistency has been an issue with the Hitmen, they are still a very good team when they play up to their potential. The keys to Calgary’s success will be the performance they get from their top gun, Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf has the ability to win or lose hockey games for the team. If he is on his game, the Hitmen are a force to be reckoned with. The Hitmen will also need to use their size and physical presence effectively if they want to stop the Hurricanes’ group of speedy and skilled forwards.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rCalgary @ Lethbridge; Friday, March 25
rCalgary @ Lethbridge; Saturday, March 26
rLethbridge @ Calgary; Tuesday, March 29
rLethbridge @ Calgary; Wednesday, March 30
rCalgary @ Lethbridge; Friday, April 1 (if necessary)
rLethbridge @ Calgary; Sunday, April 3 (if necessary)
rCalgary @ Lethbridge; Tuesday, April 5 (if necessary)
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rWESTERN CONFERENCE
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rB.C. Division
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r(1) Kootenay Ice vs (4) Kamloops Blazers
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Kootenay won series 2-1-1
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
r Kootenay: Nigel Dawes 4gp-3g-2a-5pts
r Adam Cracknell 4gp-1g-3a-4pts
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r Kamloops: Aaron Richards 4gp-3g-1a-4pts
r Ray Macias 4gp-0g-4a-4pts
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rThe Ice defied many pre-season predictions by not only making the playoffs, but skating to the league’s best regular-season record and earning the franchise’s first ever Scotty Munro Trophy.
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rThe keys for the Ice this season have been stifling defence and outstanding goaltending from Jeff Glass and Taylor Dakers that helped the club allow league-low 137 goals-against. The Ice also possess a speedy and explosive offense led by 50-goal sniper Nigel Dawes, and 32-goal man Ryan Russell. If Kootenay can stay on the same path that led them to the regular-season title throughout the playoffs, they will be an awfully tough team to beat.
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rThe Blazers wrapped up the regular season 11 games below .500, and had to fight until the last weekend of the season to clinch a playoff spot for the 24th straight season.
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rThe key for the Blazers all season has been the play of netminder Devan Dubnyk. The first-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2004 appeared in 65 games this season and faced a league-high 1896 shots. Dubnyk will need to be at his very best for the Blazers to have any chance of getting through the first round. The Blazers, who had their share of trouble scoring this season, will also need to find enough offensive creativity from the likes of Aaron Richards, Kris Hogg and Ray Macias to break down a rock-solid Kootenay back end.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rKamloops @ Kootenay; Friday, March 25
rKamloops @ Kootenay; Saturday, March 26
rKootenay @ Kamloops; Tuesday, March 29
rKootenay @ Kamloops; Wednesday, March 30
rKamloops @ Kootenay; Friday, April 1 (if necessary)
rKootenay @ Kamloops; Sunday, April 3 (if necessary)
rKamloops @ Kootenay; Tuesday, April 5 (if necessary)
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r(2) Kelowna Rockets vs (3) Vancouver Giants
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Kelowna won series 5-1-2
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
r Kelowna: Tyler Spurgeon 8gp-5g-4a-9pts
r Justin Keller 8gp-2g-5a-7pts
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r Vancouver: Gilbert Brule 8gp-4g-6a-10pts
r Adam Courchaine 7gp-2g-5a-7pts
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rThe Rockets have been the best and most consistent team in the league from the season’s outset, despite losing out what would have been their third straight regular-season title on the last day of their season.
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rKelowna is a team without many holes. Their rock-solid defence, led by captain Brett Palin, and superb goaltending from Derek Yeomans allowed just 139 goals-against this season – second stingiest in the league. The Rockets also have great depth offensively, boasting 11 players who scored 10 or more goals during the regular season, not to mention a dominating power play. Combine those elements with a tireless work ethic and, for many of the Rockets, the experience of winning a Memorial Cup last year, and you have a team that has to be considered a true contender. However, the Rockets will be missing defensive stalwart and Canadian World Junior Shea Weber for the series, which is a big blow to the team’s defence corps.
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rThe Giants spent the majority of the season comfortably in third place in the B.C. division – too far behind Kootenay and Kelowna to challenge for the division title, and too far in front of Prince George and Kamloops to feel any real pressure.
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rWith dynamic forwards like Gilbert Brule, Adam Courchaine and Mitch Bartley, the Giants have the ability to score lots of goals. And with a blue line boasting a healthy Mark Fistric, standout Slovakian rookie Andrej Meszaros and veteran Conlan Seder, the Giants should be able to keep pucks out of their net. The key for the Giants, however, could be the play of Czech netminder Marek Schwarz. Considered one of the top goaltending prospects in the CHL, Schwarz has had troubles with consistency this season. If he can find the form that saw him named the Top Goaltender at the 2005 World Junior Championships, the Giants could do some damage.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rVancouver @ Kelowna; Friday, March 25
rVancouver @ Kelowna; Saturday, March 26
rKelowna @ Vancouver; Tuesday, March 29
rKelowna @ Vancouver; Wednesday, March 30
rVancouver @ Kelowna; Friday, April 1 (if necessary)
rKelowna @ Vancouver; Saturday, April 2 (if necessary)
rVancouver @ Kelowna; Wednesday, April 6 (if necessary)
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rU.S. Division
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r(1) Seattle Thunderbirds vs (4) Tri-City Americans
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Seattle won 8-1-0
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
r Seattle: Mitch Fadden 9gp-2g-7a-9pts
r Ladislav Scurko 9gp-3g-4a-7pts
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r Tri-City: Dylan Stanley 9gp-1g-4a-5pts
r Andy Thompson 9gp-2g-2a-4pts
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rNot only are the Thunderbirds back in the post-season after missing last year’s playoffs, they’re in as U.S. division champs. Despite a dip in form during the last month of the season, Seattle managed to lead the division pretty much wire-to-wire during the regular season.
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rSeattle’s keys to success this season are a sturdy defence and outstanding goaltending from Bryan Bridges. Yet, the T-Birds, led by 31-goal man Aaron Gagnon and sophomore playmaker Chris Durand, can also generate offense, which they’ll need to beat the solid netminding of Tri-Cities’ Carey Price. After being one of the most consistent teams through the first three-quarters of the season, the Thunderbirds have been beatable in recent weeks and will need to find their early-season form again if they want playoff success.
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rPicked by many at the season’s outset to win the U.S. division, the Americans have had a rather disappointing campaign, having had to fight until the last weekend of the regular season to clinch a playoff spot.
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rDespite a sub-par regular-season, the Americans have the potential to make waves in the playoffs. The key for the Ams, as it has been in the regular season, will be the play of goaltender Carey Price. The 17-year-old netminder saw action in 62 games this season, and was often the difference between the Ams’ winning and losing. If Price is at his best in the playoffs, the Americans could be dangerous, especially to a Seattle team recently struggling with consistency. The Americans will also need the likes of Dylan Stanley, Marcus Jonasen and Ian McDonald to step up offensively if they want to solve a tough Seattle defence.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rTri-City @ Seattle; Saturday, March 26
rTri-City @ Seattle; Monday, March 28
rSeattle @ Tri-City; Wednesday, March 30
rSeattle @ Tri-City; Friday, April 1
rTri-City @ Seattle; Saturday, April 2
rSeattle @ Tri-City; Tuesday, April 5
rTri-City @ Seattle; Wednesday, April 6
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r(2) Portland Winter Hawks vs (3) Everett Silvertips
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r2004-05 head-to-head record: Everett won 5-3-2
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r2004-05 head-to-head top scorers:
r Portland: Dan DaSilva 10gp-4g-6a-10pts
r Brandon Dubinsky 10gp-3g-6a-9pts
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r Everett: Torrie Wheat 10gp-4g-4a-8pts
r Karel Hromas 9gp-4g-2a-6pts
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rAfter a sub-par first half of the season, Portland turned it around and was one of the best teams in the league in the second half.
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rPortland’s offense is their key to success. They have plenty of firepower up front with the likes of 30-goal men Dan DaSilva and Cody McLeod. Brandon Dubinsky has also managed to find his scoring touch after a statistically disappointing start to the season. The Hawks’ defence, led by Canadian World Junior Braydon Coburn and top prospect Brendan Mikkelson, are big, tough, and capable of shutting teams down when on their game. However, the Hawks biggest key may be netminder Blake Grenier. After spending much of the season injured, Grenier’s return has brought the Hawks much-needed stability in goal. If Grenier can keep up his current form, he may be what the team needs to make a playoff push.
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rThe Silvertips managed to avoid the sophomore jinx in their second Western Hockey League season, proving that last year’s remarkable inaugural season was no fluke.
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rThe Silvertips didn’t get to the playoffs by scoring lots of goals. Their 167 goals this season was the third-lowest total in the Western Conference. However, defence is what wins Everett hockey games. Facing a potent Winter Hawks attack, the Silvertips will need their defence corps, led by Mitch Love, Ivan Baranka and Shaun Heshka, to be at their best. Goaltending, as with any team, is crucial to success in the playoffs, and in Mike Wall, Everett has one of the best. Wall, coming off a very solid season, will be a key factor in determining if the ‘Tips can go on another long post-season run.
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rSeries Schedule:
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rEverett @ Portland; Friday, March 25
rEverett @ Portland; Sunday, March 27
rPortland @ Everett; Tuesday, March 29
rPortland @ Everett; Wednesday, March 30
rEverett @ Portland; Friday, April 1
rPortland @ Everett; Saturday, April 2
rEverett @ Portland; Tuesday, April 5
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