CHL playoffs start tonight

[Destroydacre]

Well Spokane led 2-0 going into the 3rd period and coughed up the lead (a recurring theme throughout the playoffs) so now game 5 is going to OT. Spokane will have 1:09 of power play time to start the OT and they'd do well to score because I don't like their chances should Tri-City kill the rest of the penalty.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Well the 3 the final 4 have now been determined.

Lewiston completes the upset over the Montreal Juniors and take the series 4-2. Mr. Kabanov had 2 assists in that one. They'll now take on my Sea Dogs beginning on Friday so I'll be able to do some 1st hand scouting of Kabanov for your Isles. The question now becomes what happens with Louis Leblanc? Will he join the Habs in their series against Boston? Or does he join Hamilton (assuming they are still alive in the AHL)?

Gatineau won its 4th straight against Drummondville to take their series 4-2, ending Sean Couturier's season and perhaps his entire junior career. They now await the winner of the Quebec Remparts and Shawinigan Cataractes. Shawinigan won tonight to force a 7th game.

Did anybody see this coming from Lewiston? Do they have a shot at knocking off the Sea Dogs?

 

[juliansteed]

Did anybody see this coming from Lewiston? Do they have a shot at knocking off the Sea Dogs?

I don't think many people would have predicted they would make it to the 3rd round. I'd say that they have a shot but will definitely be underdogs.

 

[Destroydacre]

BLAKE GAL SCORES IN OVERTIME


FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I don't think many people would have predicted they would make it to the 3rd round. I'd say that they have a shot but will definitely be underdogs.

One thing I've heard about Kabanov is he's bigger than last year. He's 6'3 187 now. Compared to 6'2 172 last year. I've seen some highlights & he's got some sick moves with the puck. Huberdeau & Kabanov would be an interesting combo on the same team in the future. However I don't expect Huberdeau to be available at #5.

 

[juliansteed]

One thing I've heard about Kabanov is he's bigger than last year. He's 6'3 187 now. Compared to 6'2 172 last year. I've seen some highlights & he's got some sick moves with the puck. Huberdeau & Kabanov would be an interesting combo on the same team in the future. However I don't expect Huberdeau to be available at #5.

That would be an interesting combo for sure but I think you're right. I'm sure the Isles will have some staff keeping an eye on this series. They can keep an eye on Kabanov whose rights they already have. They can also get a good look at Huberdeau just in case he's still on the board at $5. And as previously mentioned either Zack Phillips or Tomas Jurco might still be available when they pick again in the 2nd round. I think Huberdeau will likely go #4 to the Devils, but its still hard to say.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

That would be an interesting combo for sure but I think you're right. I'm sure the Isles will have some staff keeping an eye on this series. They can keep an eye on Kabanov whose rights they already have. They can also get a good look at Huberdeau just in case he's still on the board at $5. And as previously mentioned either Zack Phillips or Tomas Jurco might still be available when they pick again in the 2nd round. I think Huberdeau will likely go #4 to the Devils, but its still hard to say.

You're right there are all kinds of scenarios for the top 5 in the draft. I think the biggest question to be answered is which team in the top 4 if any will select Adam Larsson.

 

[juliansteed]

You're right there are all kinds of scenarios for the top 5 in the draft. I think the biggest question to be answered is which team in the top 4 if any will select Adam Larsson.

Another guy the Isles might be interested in taking a look at is Nathan Beaulieu. ISS had him ranked as the #2 Q prospect behind teammate Huberdeau and ahead of Couturier. I'll be extremely surprised if that turns out to be accurate. The highest I can see Beaulieu going would be late in the top 10, and even that I would consider a bit of a surprise. At the same time I highly doubt he'd still be available when the Isles pick again in the 2nd round. But the Isles would likely want to at least get a look since they have some other interests in this series, and decide for themselves if he'd be worth considering for the #5 pick.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Another guy the Isles might be interested in taking a look at is Nathan Beaulieu. ISS had him ranked as the #2 Q prospect behind teammate Huberdeau and ahead of Couturier. I'll be extremely surprised if that turns out to be accurate. The highest I can see Beaulieu going would be late in the top 10, and even that I would consider a bit of a surprise. At the same time I highly doubt he'd still be available when the Isles pick again in the 2nd round. But the Isles would likely want to at least get a look since they have some other interests in this series, and decide for themselves if he'd be worth considering for the #5 pick.

We learned last year it really doesn't matter what the so called experts think. I really thought Fowler was going to be an Islander. He ended up going 12th, Gormely 13th & Forbert 15th. The Rangers took Dylan McIlrath 10th. Everyone had McIlrath rated below the other three.

Each team has it's own board. I expect Forwards to go off the board early. Larsson or Murphy could be the exception. I think 5 is a bit high for Beaulieu. If a team in the top 5 wants him they'll trade down at least once if not twice.

RNH
Landescog
Couturier
Huberdeau
Strome
Abinadinajad (SP)

These 6 forwards are probably going in the top 10. Now that leaves at least 4 spots for defenseman.

Larsson
Murphy
Hamilton
Seimens
Beaulieu

That's 5 Defenseman who could go in the top 10 with only 4 spots available. Obviously at least one of them won't get picked that high. Plus there could be other forwards taken in front of them as well.

 

[juliansteed]

Yup. I'd expect Beaulieu to go somewhere between 11-15. He's going to get a lot of looks from a lot of teams because of his other highly rated teammates, most notably Huberdeau. Of course this has been the case all season long, and could be part of the reason he might be getting some slightly generous rankings.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yup. I'd expect Beaulieu to go somewhere between 11-15. He's going to get a lot of looks from a lot of teams because of his other highly rated teammates, most notably Huberdeau. Of course this has been the case all season long, and could be part of the reason he might be getting some slightly generous rankings.

I remember one year ago when Kevin Poulin was playing for Victoriaville. Patrick Roy said he won the series & was the best goalie in the Q last year.

Is Lewiston's goalie capable of stealing a game or two?

 

[juliansteed]

I remember one year ago when Kevin Poulin was playing for Victoriaville. Patrick Roy said he won the series & was the best goalie in the Q last year.

Is Lewiston's goalie capable of stealing a game or two?

I'm not too familiar with their goalie. We only saw them once this year and whoever they had in net didn't do so well. But that was only 1 game and it may not have even been their #1 guy. From what I'm hearing though from talking to Lewiston fans, their goaltending is neither their strength or a weakness. Its been solid but no more and no less. Their strength seems to be at forward, mainly their top line which includes Kabanov.

 

[Destroydacre]

The Spokane Chiefs can close out their semifinal series with a win tonight. I'll be at the game, I hope it's a good one and I'll be looking forward to seeing some handshakes at the end!

Get it done Chiefs!

 

[dash]

The Spokane Chiefs can close out their semifinal series with a win tonight. I'll be at the game, I hope it's a good one and I'll be looking forward to seeing some handshakes at the end!

Get it done Chiefs!

This

/Tigers on break until Friday when they host Kootenay at the Arena. Looking forward to a heck of a series that I hope will be broadcast on Shaw TV.

 

[dash]

Destroy saw a great game tonight with the Chiefs winning in OT. Spokane moves on to face Portland in the Western Conference final.

 

[juliansteed]

The Quebec Remparts finished off Shawinigan earier tonight in game 7. The final 4 in the Q is now set.

We have an all Province of Quebec series with Quebec vs Gatineau and an all non-Quebec series with Saint John vs Lewiston.

 

[dash]

Hey julian, is Patrick Roy still coaching the Remparts?

 

[juliansteed]

He sure is. And in case anyone is wondering whatever happened to his son Jonathan who was involved in that brawl a few year ago, well here you go!

 

[dash]

Well then I'm hoping for a Quebec - Saint John final so that the Sea Dogs can send Patty Wah home crying...

 

[dash]

All I can say is Perfect Vacation is Perfectly Putrid...