2019 #WHLPlayoffs Clinching Scenarios – March 9

Here are the 2019 Western Hockey League Playoff scenarios for Saturday, March 9.

The Seattle Thunderbirds will clinch a spot in the 2019 WHL Playoffs:

If they win in any fashion against the Everett Silvertips (6:05 p.m. PT/WHLLive.com) AND the Kamloops Blazers lose in regulation to the Kelowna Rockets (7:05 p.m. PT/WHLLive.com).

The Thunderbirds currently occupy the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference with 27 wins and 62 points through 63 games. The Blazers sit one spot below the Thunderbirds in the Wild Card race with 24 wins and 55 points through 63 games. A win by Seattle would give them 64 points and a nine-point lead against the Blazers.

Should they lose in regulation tonight, the Blazers could only reach 63 points by the end of the regular season at a maximum.

The Thunderbirds have been a strong team in the second half with a 16-9-2-2 since January 4, 2019. Much of that credit can be directed to goaltender Roddy Ross, who was named the WHL Rookie of the Month for January and has a 13-4-1-2 record, 2.63 goals-against-average, and a .922 save percentage in 21 games. Since January 1, Matthew Wedman leads the Thunderbirds with 26 goals. Noah Philp leads the Thunderbirds with 43 points (13G-30A) in that span as well.

To date, 12 teams have secured their spot in the 2019 WHL Playoffs: Prince Albert Raiders, Everett Silvertips, Vancouver Giants, Portland Winterhawks, Saskatoon Blades, Spokane Chiefs, Edmonton Oil Kings, Victoria Royals, Tri-City Americans, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Calgary Hitmen and the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Raiders, Giants, and Silvertips have each clinched their respective divisions while the Raiders have also secured the top record in the Eastern Conference and WHL, earning them the 2018-19 Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions.