2009 WHL Playoffs Second-Round Preview

By chlwebproduct April 1, 2009

CALGARY, AB — The quest for Western Hockey League glory, and a chance to compete in the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Rimouski, QC, continues as the WHL Conference semi-finals begin on Friday, April 3^rd.

Four teams remain in the hunt for the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship. The Scotty Munro Trophy winner Calgary Hitmen will take on Central Division rivals the Lethbridge Hurricanes for the fourth playoff meeting between the teams in the last five years. Meanwhile, the talented Brandon Wheat Kings will battle the speedy Medicine Hat Tigers in the first playoff meeting between the teams since 2003-04.

The top four teams in the Western Conference are in the second round of the 2009 WHL Playoffs. The B.C. Division and Western Conference regular-season champion Vancouver Giants will battle the defending WHL and Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs in a match-up of the two most recent Memorial Cup winners. Meanwhile, the two-time U.S. Division champion Tri-City Americans will face the high-flying Kelowna Rockets for a battle between two of the WHL’s most exciting offensive clubs.

Here’s a look at the second-round Husky WHL Eastern Conference Semi-Final match-ups and the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Semi-Final match-ups.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) CALGARY HITMEN vs (7) LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES

2008-09 regular-season record: (W-L-OTL-SOL, PTS)

Calgary: 59-9-3-1, 122pts

Lethbridge: 35-32-3-2, 75pts

2008-09 head-to-head record:

Calgary: 6-0-0-0, 12pts

Lethbridge: 0-4-1-1, 2pts

2008-09 head-to-head top scorers:

Calgary:

Brett Sonne 6gp-5g-8a-13pts

Brandon Kozun 6gp-5g-5a-10pts

Lethbridge:

Zach Boychuk 3gp-2g-4a-6pts

Colton Sceviour 6gp-3g-2a-5pts

The Calgary Hitmen the Lethbridge Hurricanes meet up in the post-season for the second straight year and for the fourth time in five years. Zach Boychuk’s Hurricanes swept Karl Alzner’s Hitmen four games to none in the 2008 WHL Eastern Conference Championship series.

The Hitmen advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season after sweeping the Edmonton Oil Kings four games to none in the opening round. The Hitmen handled the Oil Kings with relative ease in their first round series, outscoring the second-year franchise 15-3 in their four-game sweep. Sniper Joel Broda, the WHL’s lone 50-goal scorer this season, netted a team-leading three goals and seven points in the Hitmen’s first-round series win. One area where the Hitmen struggled in the first round was their power play, which managed just two goals on 19 chances in the four-game sweep of the Oil Kings. The Hitmen dominated the Hurricanes during the regular season, winning all six encounters by a combined score of 23-10. Calgary’s defense will need to focus on shutting down Zach Boychuk, who managed six points in only three games versus the Hitmen during the regular season. Goaltender Martin Jones posted a 0.73 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage in the first round.

The Hurricanes are in the second round of the playoff for the second straight season after beating the East Division champion Saskatoon Blades four games to three in a hard-fought opening-round match-up. Having underachieved during the regular season, the Hurricanes are showing the high level of play expected of them at the season’s outset. Zach Boychuk managed seven goals and 10 points in the ‘Canes’ opening-round series, scoring all of his points in the four games the Hurricanes won. The Hurricanes’ defense will need to find a way to slow down Brett Sonne and Brandon Kozun, who combined for 10 goals and 23 points in the season series. Goaltender Juha Metsola will have his work cut out for him in facing a Hitmen team that averaged over 45 shots per game in their first-round series.

Series Schedule

#1 – Lethbridge @ Calgary; Friday, April 3 (7:00pm MST)
#2 – Lethbridge @ Calgary; Sunday, April 5 (2:00pm MST)
#3 – Calgary @ Lethbridge; Tuesday, April 7 (7:00pm MST)
#4 – Calgary @ Lethbridge; Wednesday, April 8 (7:00pm MST)
#5 – Calgary @ Lethbridge; Friday, April 10 (7:00pm MST)**
#6 – Lethbridge @ Calgary; Sunday, April 12 (5:00pm MST)**
#7 – Lethbridge @ Calgary; Tuesday, April 14 (7:00pm MST)**
** – if necessary

(3) BRANDON WHEAT KINGS vs (5) MEDICINE HAT TIGERS

2008-09 regular-season record:

Brandon: 49-18-3-2, 103pts

Medicine Hat: 36-29-4-3, 79pts

2008-09 head-to-head record:

Brandon 3-1-0-0, 6pts

Medicine Hat 1-3-0-0, 3pts

2008-09 head-to-head top scorers:

Brandon:

Jay Fehr 4gp-2g-4a-6pts

Scott Glennie 3gp-2g-3a-5pts

Medicine Hat:

Brennan Bosch 4gp-2g-2a-4pts

Travis Dunstall 4gp-2g-2a-4pts

The Brandon Wheat Kings and the Medicine Hat Tigers meet up for a playoff series for the first time since 2003-04. Ryan Hollweg and the Tigers defeated Eric Fehr and the Wheat Kings four games to one in the 2004 WHL Eastern Conference semi-final en route to winning the 2004 WHL Championship.

The Wheat Kings advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fifth time in the last seven years after sweeping the spirited and hard-working Kootenay Ice four games to none in the opening round. The trio of Brayden Schenn, Scott Glennie and Matt Calvert combined for seven goals and 23 points with a +20 rating in the Wheat Kings’ sweep of the Ice. The Wheat Kings will need to make the most of their home-ice advantage versus Medicine Hat as the Tigers managed only 13 road victories during the regular season yet won two of four road games in their first-round series. The Wheat Kings’ defense will have their hands full in trying to contain Tigers’ star Tyler Ennis, who scored a WHL-best eight goals and 13 points in the first round of the playoffs. Goaltender Andrew Hayes boasted an impressive .923 save percentage in four games versus the Ice. He’ll need to continue his strong play to stop the offensively talented Tigers.

The Tigers are making their sixth appearance in the second round of the playoffs in the last seven seasons after defeating the Swift Current Broncos four games to three in a tough best-of-seven opening-round series. The Tigers’ opening-round series versus the Broncos was all about offense as the winning team scored four or more goals in six of the seven games while both teams combined for 45 goals. The Tigers will need to get offensive contributions from more sources as only seven players accounted for all the team’s scoring in the opening round. In addition, the Tigers must strengthen their defensive game to limit a Wheat Kings team that can roll three very strong scoring lines. Goaltender Ryan Holfeld turned aside 61 of 62 shots he faced over the final two games of the Tigers’ opening-round series. He’ll need to continue that strong play if the Tigers want to have success versus the Wheat Kings.

Series Schedule

#1 – Brandon @ Medicine Hat; Saturday, April 4 (7:30pm MST)
#2 – Brandon @ Medicine Hat; Sunday, April 5 (6:00pm MST)
#3 – Medicine Hat @ Brandon; Wednesday, April 8 (7:00pm CST)
#4 – Medicine Hat @ Brandon; Friday, April 10 (7:30pm CST)
#5 – Medicine Hat @ Brandon; Saturday, April 11 (7:30pm CST)**
#6 – Brandon @ Medicine Hat; Monday, April 13 (7:00pm MST)**
#7 – Medicine Hat @ Brandon; Wednesday, April 15 (7:00pm CST)**

KAL TIRE WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) VANCOUVER GIANTS vs (4) SPOKANE CHIEFS

2008-09 regular-season record:

Vancouver: 57-10-2-3, 119pts

Spokane: 46-23-0-3, 95pts

2008-09 Head-to-head record:

Vancouver: 2-0-0-0, 4pts

Spokane: 0-2-0-0, 0pts

2008-09 head-to-head top scorers:

Vancouver:

Craig Cunningham 2gp-2g-1a-3pts

Mike Berube 2gp-0g-3a-3pts

Spokane:

Brenden Kichton 1gp-1g-0a-1pts

Steve Kuhn 2gp-1g-0a-1pts

The Vancouver Giants meet up with the Spokane Chiefs in the post-season for the second straight year. Chris Bruton and the Chiefs beat Spencer Machacek and the Giants four games to two in the second round of the 2008 WHL Playoffs. It’s also just the second time in WHL history where consecutive Memorial Cup champions meet in the post-season.

The Giants advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth straight season after sweeping the Prince George Cougars four games to none in the opening round. After outscoring the Cougars 23-7 in their four-game sweep, the Giants will brace for a much more difficult challenge as they face the reigning WHL and Memorial Cup champs. However, the Giants did win both meetings with the Chiefs during the regular season, outscoring them 9-2 in the process. Bruising forward Lance Bouma netted a team-leading four goals, including two game-winners, in four games versus P.G. in the opening round after returning to the lineup from an injury that had kept him out since late January. Jon Blum ranks fourth among all WHL defensemen in post-season scoring with six points in four games. The Giants killed off 22 of 23 Cougars’ power plays in the first round.

The Chiefs advanced to the second round after defeating the Seattle Thunderbirds four games to one in the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference quarter-finals. With their opening-round victory over the T-Birds, the Chiefs have now won five straight playoff series’, going back to the start of the 2008 post-season. The Chiefs will need to adjust their game plan versus a Giants team that outscored them 9-2 in two regular-season encounters. The Chiefs own the second-best penalty killing unit in the post-season after the Giants, having allowed only two power play goals on 22 T-Birds’ man advantage chances in the first round. The Chiefs had success on the road versus the Giants in their 2008 post-season encounter, winning two of three games in Vancouver. Drayson Bowman ranks third among 2009 playoff scorers with five goals.

Series Schedule

#1 – Spokane @ Vancouver; Friday, April 3 (7:30pm PST)
#2 – Spokane @ Vancouver; Saturday, April 4 (7:00pm PST)
#3 – Vancouver @ Spokane; Tuesday, April 7 (7:00pm PST)
#4 – Vancouver @ Spokane; Wednesday, April 8 (7:00pm PST)
#5 – Spokane @ Vancouver; Friday, April 10 (7:30pm PST)**
#6 – Vancouver @ Spokane; Sunday, April 12 (6:00pm PST)**
#7 – Spokane @ Vancouver; Tuesday, April 14 (7:00pm PST)**

**If Necessary

(2) TRI-CITY AMERICANS vs (3) KELOWNA ROCKETS

2008-09 regular-season record:

Tri-Cities: 49-20-0-3, 101pts

Kelowna: 47-21-1-3, 98pts

2008-09 Head-to-head record:

Tri-Cities: 2-2-0-0, 4pts

Kelowna: 2-2-0-0, 4pts

2008-09 head-to-head top scorers:

Tri-Cities:

Jason Reese 4gp-3g-1a-4pts

Johnny Lazo 4gp-1g-3a-4pts

Kelowna:

Cody Almond 3gp-4g-1a-5pts

Jamie Benn 3gp-2g-0a-2pts

The Tri-City Americans and Kelowna Rockets meet up in the post-season for the first time since 2003-04. Shea Weber and the Rockets defeated Ryan Kinasewich and the Americans four games to two in the second round of the 2004 WHL Playoffs.

The Americans are making their second straight appearance in the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference semi-finals after defeating the Everett Silvertips four games to one in the opening round. After splitting the opening two games of their first-round series versus the ‘Tips, the Ams hit their stride in winning the final three contests by a combined score of 14-4. The Ams’ power play clicked at over 30 per cent efficiency (8-for-26) in their first-round match-up for the best power play percentage of any team. However, they’ll need to tighten up their 13^th-ranked penalty killing to stop Kelowna’s vaunted power play. Goaltender Chet Pickard stopped 75 of 79 shots he faced over the final three games of the Americans’ opening-round series. The Ams will benefit from home-ice advantage versus the Rockets as they own a 32-6-0-1 record at home this season, counting the regular season.

The Rockets advanced to the second round of the post-season for the first time since 2005-06 after sweeping the Kamloops Blazers four games to none in the opening round. The Rockets scored 17 goals in four games versus the Blazers in the first round, only four of which came on the power play. Rockets’ sniper Jamie Benn is proving to be a key playoff performer. The 19-year-old netted three goals and 10 points in four games versus the Blazers, and now has 21 points in only 11 career playoff games. The Rockets lost both road games versus the Ams this season by a combined score of 9-3, but will need to find a way to win in Kennewick, WA, if they are to win the series. Goaltender Mark Guggenberger will need to out-duel Ams’ All-Star netminder Chet Pickard for the Rockets to have success.

Series Schedule

#1 – Kelowna @ Tri-City; Friday, April 3 (7:05pm PST)
#2 – Kelowna @ Tri-City; Saturday, April 4 (7:05pm PST)
#3 – Tri-City @ Kelowna; Tuesday, April 7 (7:00pm PST)
#4 – Tri-City @ Kelowna; Wednesday, April 8 (7:00pm PST)
#5 – Kelowna @ Tri-City; Friday, April 10 (7:05pm PST)**
#6 – Tri-City @ Kelowna; Sunday, April 12 (5:00pm PST)**
#7 – Kelowna @ Tri-City; Tuesday, April 14 (7:05pm PST)**

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2009 WHL Playoffs Second-Round Preview

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