CHL playoffs start tonight

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Nino & the Winterhawks try go up 3-0 tonight. GO NINO!!

 

[puckhead]

Giants on the brink
down 3-0 to Tri-Cities.

didn't think they'd go far this year, but I figured that they would put up a bit more of a fight.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

KITCHENER - The bounces went the Kitchener Rangers way as they defeated the Plymouth Whalers, 3-1, Monday night in Game 3 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal before 5,517 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

Plymouth now leads the series, two-games-to-one, with Game 4 set for Compuware Arena on Wednesday and Game 5 back in Kitchener on Friday.

Kitchener received goals from Jerry D'Amigo, Ryan Murphy, and Gabriel Landeskog (empty net), while Alex Aleardi scored for the Whalers. Scott Wedgewood made 45 saves for the Whalers as the games third star.

As expected, Kitchener came out strong in a scoreless first period, outshooting Plymouth, 19-7, in the period. Many of their shots came on three power plays.

D'Amigo scored his third goal of the series at 7:40 of the second period when Wedgewood got most of his shot, but the puck trickled over Wedgewood's shoulder and into the net.

Aleardi is known for his speed and used the asset to tie the game at 1-1 at 13:30. Picking up the puck just outside the Kitchener line, Aleardi gathered speed in the Kitchener zone on the left wing, blew by a Ranger defender, cut across to the lower rim of the right circle and beat goaltender Brandon Maxwell with the shot.

The second period ended tied at 1-1 after forty minutes.

Murphy's game-winning goal came at 1:00 of the third period on another fortunate bounce. Working on the power play, Murphy skated hard to the right circle in the Plymouth zone and put the shot on goal. Wedgewood made the save, but the puck caromed directly to RJ Mahalak, trying to get back into the play. The puck deflected off Mahalak and back into the net.

At 3:40 of the third period, Plymouth's Tyler Brown was hauled down by Kitchener's Julian Melchiori as he was trying to get a shot on net. Brown was awarded a penalty shot. Brown faked at the hashmarks and tried to stuff the puck on the left wing side of the goal but was beaten by Maxwell.

In all, Plymouth had 12 shots in the third period, but could not find the equalizer. Over the final ten minutes, Jamie Devane had perhaps the best chance on the right wing side of the net, but Maxwell made the save.

Wedgewood was pulled in the final minute and Landeskog scored on the empty net at 19:24.

Kitchener outshot Plymouth, 48-36.

Game 4 is Wednesday, March 30 at Compuware Arena at 7:05pm. Tickets are still available by contacting the box office at 734-453-8400.

Game 5 - Friday, April 1 - Plymouth at Kitchener, 7:30pm.
Game 6 - Saturday, April 2 - Kitchener at Plymouth, 7:05pm (*) if necessary.
Game 7 - Monday, April 4 - Plymouth at Kitchener, 7:00pm (*) if necessary.

All games in the series can be heard on 88.1FM WSDP.

GO WHALERS GO!!

 

[Destroydacre]

Spokane led game three 3-0 heading into the third period, coughed up the lead and lost the game in overtime. Oh and Tyler Johnson got hurt too. Don't know how bad. 3 games into the series and it's strikingly similar to the series the Chiefs played against Portland last year. I'm very uneasy right now.


I also don't know what it is about home games in OT, but the Chiefs have lost 8 home playoff OT games in a row dating back to 2003. I wonder if they'll ever win another one?

This also marks the 10th straight playoff game the Chiefs have played in which the road team won.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Spokane led game three 3-0 heading into the third period, coughed up the lead and lost the game in overtime. Oh and Tyler Johnson got hurt too. Don't know how bad. 3 games into the series and it's strikingly similar to the series the Chiefs played against Portland last year. I'm very uneasy right now.


I also don't know what it is about home games in OT, but the Chiefs have lost 8 home playoff OT games in a row dating back to 2003. I wonder if they'll ever win another one?

This also marks the 10th straight playoff game the Chiefs have played in which the road team won.

How has Cowen looked this post-season DD?

 

[juliansteed]

Over in the Q 5 teams advance after sweeping their 1st round opponent.

Saint John Sea Dogs sweep the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Montreal Junior sweep the Halifax Mooseheads.

Quebec Remparts sweep the Val D'Or Foreurs.

Sean Couturier and the Drummondville Voltigeurs sweep the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

The surprising Victoriaville Tigres sweep the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

The other 3 series' are all 3-1 with the favourite leading. Not a lot of parity in the opening round of the Q playoffs. Even the one upset (Victoriaville) wasn't close.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Nino with 1G & 1A as the Winterhawks beat Everett 5-4.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Over in the Q 5 teams advance after sweeping their 1st round opponent.

Saint John Sea Dogs sweep the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Montreal Junior sweep the Halifax Mooseheads.

Quebec Remparts sweep the Val D'Or Foreurs.

Sean Couturier and the Drummondville Voltigeurs sweep the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

The surprising Victoriaville Tigres sweep the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

The other 3 series' are all 3-1 with the favourite leading. Not a lot of parity in the opening round of the Q playoffs. Even the one upset (Victoriaville) wasn't close.

How has Huberdeau been JS?

I'd love to see my Sens get him with one of their 145 draft picks this year.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Over in the Q 5 teams advance after sweeping their 1st round opponent.

Saint John Sea Dogs sweep the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Montreal Junior sweep the Halifax Mooseheads.

Quebec Remparts sweep the Val D'Or Foreurs.

Sean Couturier and the Drummondville Voltigeurs sweep the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

The surprising Victoriaville Tigres sweep the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

The other 3 series' are all 3-1 with the favourite leading. Not a lot of parity in the opening round of the Q playoffs. Even the one upset (Victoriaville) wasn't close.

Do you think any team in the Q will give Saint John a tough series?

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Nino with 1G & 1A as the Winterhawks beat Everett 5-4.

You can write Nino in as a top 6 forward for the Isles down the road, DBNI. He'll be a nice piece of the puzzle for you guys.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

You can write Nino in as a top 6 forward for the Isles down the road, DBNI. He'll be a nice piece of the puzzle for you guys.

I was happy Garth sent him back to Portland. They rushed Bailey & it's really hurt his development. There are a lot of Islanders fans who want to give up on him. He's only 21. I'm not anywhere near ready to do so.

Huberdeau has like 12 points or something ridiculous. Saint John has a very good team.

 

[juliansteed]

How has Huberdeau been JS?

I'd love to see my Sens get him with one of their 145 draft picks this year.

He had 4 points in each of the 2 home games, including a hat trick in game 2, and has looked great. He had 2 more in each road game bringing his total to 12 in 3 games. 5 goals and 7 assists.

If the Sens pick him it would likely have to be with their 1st pick. Most have him pegged as a top 10 guy. A lot consider him a candidate to go higher than projected. Every time new rankings come out he keeps getting higher and some are now putting him ahead of Couturier as the Q's top prospect.

What draft position do the Sens currently hold with their 1st pick?

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I expect Huberdeau to go in the top 5.

 

[juliansteed]

Do you think any team in the Q will give Saint John a tough series?

I think Montreal, Drummondville and maybe Quebec all have potential to give them a tough series but all would still be considered pretty big underdogs.

The Sea Dogs have actually never won a game in Montreal in the 3 years the franchise has been there. Although they wouldn't necessarily need to in order to win the series.

Drummondville I believe is the only team in the league with a winning record againt Saint John this year. The 2 teams played 3 times with Saint John winning once in regulation and Drummondville winning once in a shootout and once in OT.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

He had 4 points in each of the 2 home games, including a hat trick in game 2, and has looked great. He had 2 more in each road game bringing his total to 12 in 3 games. 5 goals and 7 assists.

If the Sens pick him it would likely have to be with their 1st pick. Most have him pegged as a top 10 guy. A lot consider him a candidate to go higher than projected. Every time new rankings come out he keeps getting higher and some are now putting him ahead of Couturier as the Q's top prospect.

What draft position do the Sens currently hold with their 1st pick?

Number 3 right now (obviously before the lottery).

I'm hoping for either Larsson or, preferably, Nugent-Hopkins.

I would mind seeing us use Nashville's pick and our second round picks to move up into the top ten with a second pick. I'd love to get either Huberdeau or Ryan Strome from the O in addition to our own pick. Probably wishful thinking but I think the Sens need quality over quantity right now.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I think Montreal, Drummondville and maybe Quebec all have potential to give them a tough series but all would still be considered pretty big underdogs.

The Sea Dogs have actually never won a game in Montreal in the 3 years the franchise has been there. Although they wouldn't necessarily need to in order to win the series.

Drummondville I believe is the only team in the league with a winning record againt Saint John this year. The 2 teams played 3 times with Saint John winning once in regulation and Drummondville winning once in a shootout and once in OT.

Is this the year the Q has a legit shot at the Memorial Cup? I think the last time they won was when Brad Richards led Rimouski right?

 

[juliansteed]

I expect Huberdeau to go in the top 5.

That's what some of us here in Saint John are a little bit afraid of. It would be great to see him go high but the higher he goes the greater the chance he'll be in the NHL next year. We're hoping to have another strong team here again next year and possibly host the Memorial Cup tournament with Huberdeau leading the way. While it would be good for the franchise in some ways, it would be a huge blow to the team's chances next year if he's in the NHL. Earlier in the season a lot of people here were hoping he'd goto Boston with the Leaf's pick so that he doesn't goto a team with tons of holes. Looks like he's going to go sooner than that though.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Is this the year the Q has a legit shot at the Memorial Cup? I think the last time they won was when Brad Richards led Rimouski right?

I thought the Q has won at least one in the last decade. Maybe just runners-up.

EDIT: The Quebec Ramparts won it in 2006. Before that it was indeed the Oceanic who were the last.

 

[juliansteed]

Is this the year the Q has a legit shot at the Memorial Cup? I think the last time they won was when Brad Richards led Rimouski right?

A lot of people seem to think so, but its really hard to compare between leagues. The Sea Dogs dominated their league more than any team in the other leagues and have been ranked as the top team in the CHL for most of the year, but the Q always seems to be considered the weakest league. I really don't know what to expect if/when the Sea Dogs make the Memorial Cup. They could win it all or go 0-3.

The last time a Q team won was actually in 2006. The Quebec Rempart, lead by Alexander Radulov, Angelo Esposito, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic won it. They didn't even win the Q title that year but made it in as runner-up because Moncton won the Q and were the hosts that year. It was actually an all Q Memorial Cup final too with the hosts failing to get the job done on home ice.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Number 3 right now (obviously before the lottery).

I'm hoping for either Larsson or, preferably, Nugent-Hopkins.

I would mind seeing us use Nashville's pick and our second round picks to move up into the top ten with a second pick. I'd love to get either Huberdeau or Ryan Strome from the O in addition to our own pick. Probably wishful thinking but I think the Sens need quality over quantity right now.

I think Strome could go in the top 5 as well. Good luck trading up for him. It won't come cheap.