CHL playoffs start tonight

[dash]

Round 2 can't come soon enough! Finally starts on Friday.

You said it, brother (in my best Hulk Hogan voice). Tigers get Red Deer next in round 2, the Rebels have a quality team, I see the series going at least six games and quite likely the distance.

 

[juliansteed]

You said it, brother (in my best Hulk Hogan voice). Tigers get Red Deer next in round 2, the Rebels have a quality team, I see the series going at least six games and quite likely the distance.

The Sea Dogs play the surprising Victoriaville Tigres. Most are expecting that series to be over in 4 or 5 but you never know. Nobody was expecting the Tigres to beat Bathurst. Not only did they beat Bathurst but they swept them. The other Q series' could be quite interesting though.

 

[juliansteed]

In other CHL news the site of the 2012 Memorial Cup was announced today and it will be Shawinigan, Quebec. Felicitations!

 

[Destroydacre]

In other CHL news the site of the 2012 Memorial Cup was announced today and it will be Shawinigan, Quebec. Felicitations!

Wow, I heard they made a bid, but I'm shocked that they chose a 4,300 seat arena to host.

Not saying it's a bad thing, just surprising.

 

[dash]

Wow, I heard they made a bid, but I'm shocked that they chose a 4,300 seat arena to host.

Not saying it's a bad thing, just surprising.

The Tigers need to a) build a new arena (it's been in the works for several years now) and b) put in a Memorial Cup bid.

 

[Destroydacre]

The Tigers need to a) build a new arena (it's been in the works for several years now) and b) put in a Memorial Cup bid.

The Tigers deserve to host one more than any other team in the WHL IMO when you consider the consistent fan support they get every year and the fantastic teams they've fielded the last decade.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

The Tigers need to a) build a new arena (it's been in the works for several years now) and b) put in a Memorial Cup bid.

Agreed Dash. The Hat has some great junior hockey fans. It's not a bad town either (for a small city in Canada), despite EmARSEon Etem might have to say.

 

[dash]

Hey, a little CHL treat tonight on Sportsnet, Owen Sound and Plymouth are going to OT in game 1 of their OHL series. No dog in this fight for me, just playoff hockey to watch.

 

[dash]

Looks like the Canucks - Wild game will preempt the Whalers - Attack game. Oh well.

 

[dash]

Kelowna leading the Portland Winter Hawks 3-1 after two periods...

 

[juliansteed]

Wow, I heard they made a bid, but I'm shocked that they chose a 4,300 seat arena to host.

Not saying it's a bad thing, just surprising.

Not only that but there is a shortage of hotels in the area and its been said that the teams would have to stay about 45 minutes outside of town. That being said, they are a long-time franchise who never got to host before. They recently renovated their venue. For whatever it may be worth, former PM Jean Chretien endorsed their bid. Their main competition was from my Sea Dogs who seemed to have everything going for them except history in the league. They've only been around for 6 seasons. Some might say they haven't paid their dues yet. The other bids were from Halifax and Cape Breton who really never had a chance mainly due to the outlook of next year's teams not being that great. Also in Halifax's case they hosted it as recently as 2000. Not even sure why they bothered to bid other than the fact I think they just decided to keep bidding every time until the Q finally decides to award it to them again. They actually even put in a bid to host last time (2009) as well. Greedy bastards!

 

[dash]

Kelowna sends a strong message winning game 1 in Portland by a 5-1 score.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Nino with an assist. Not a good start for the Winterhawks.

 

[Destroydacre]

Kelowna sends a strong message winning game 1 in Portland by a 5-1 score.

I can't say I'm at all surprised. I picked Portland to win this series in 7. No disrespect to Kelowna, because they're a good team and always dangerous in the playoffs, but Portland is better. When you look at the schedule Portland played to close out the season, they got to beat up on teams like Vancouver (heavily injured), Seattle and Everett. They simply weren't playing playoff hockey going into the playoffs. Then they started off playing Everett in the first round. Again I know they made the playoffs, but Everett was a really poor team. The only 2 teams Portland played the last 3 weeks of the season that went into the playoffs and had winning records over those 3 weeks were Spokane and Chilliwack and they lost both those games.

I do think by the time the series gets to games 3 or 4 Portland will have come around to getting in playoff mode and then start asserting themselves. Until they reach that point, they're going to have trouble against a Rockets team that has been playing playoff hockey for the last month. And I do have to say it would not shock me if Kelowna does find a way to win. The Rockets have a way of doing that in the playoffs.

 

[dash]

Tigers lead the Rebels 3-0 after the 1st period...Keep it going boys!

 

[dash]

9-1 Tigers after two periods...woot!

 

[dash]

Kootenay takes game 1 against the Blades in Saskatoon by a 4-1 score...

 

[Destroydacre]

9-1 Tigers after two periods...woot!

My jaw dropped when I checked scores on the WHL webpage. Nice tone setter to start the series!

Home teams are 0 for 3 so far in the 2nd round. Hopefully the Chiefs can reverse that trend tomorrow night.

 

[dash]

Nice to see Tyler Bunz back between the pipes for Medicine Hat...Dubnyk filled in admirably in his absence.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Nice to see Tyler Bunz back between the pipes for Medicine Hat...Dubnyk filled in admirably in his absence.

Isn't Bunz Oilers property?