Throughout the regular season, the Portland Winterhawks fought a battle with the Tri-City Americans for first place in their division and in their conference. Out in the Eastern Conference, the Edmonton Oil Kings blew away their competition, finishing a full nine points ahead of the second place team in their conference, and sixteen points ahead of the second place team in their division. Will the Hawks battles temper them for the final games of this season, or will the Oil Kings dominance continue?
Center:
While Brendan Leipsic, Cam Reid, and Taylor Peters have played extremely well in these playoffs, the Oil Kings have a superstar at center in Michael St. Croix, who finished with 105 point this season, including 45 goals. Tyler Maxwell, acquired early in the season from the Everett Silvertips, has also supplied great scoring from the center position. Curtis Lazar has been on fire in the playoffs, leading the Oil Kings in scoring. The Oil Kings have a clear advantage here.
ADVANTAGE: Oil Kings
Wings:
While Oil Kings’ wingers Dylan Wruck and T.J. Foster have been strong for the Oil Kings, the wingers presence for the Oil Kings has fallen off in the playoffs. Wruck has been limited to just four points, and the scoring pressure has been put on the centers. For Portland, Ty Rattie has been completely unstoppable, and Brad Ross, Sven Bartschi and Marcel Noebels are scoring at will. Too much talent on the Hawks side.
ADVANTAGE: Winterhawks
Defense:
The Oil Kings play a low tempo game, using good defense and skillful passing to set up scoring opportunities. Their defenders are a big reason this happens, led by Martin Gernat and Mark Pysyk. Comparing them against the high scoring potential of the Winterhawks defense is a difficult job. Overall, in raw talent, the Hawks have the advantage, but too many times in the playoffs thus far the defense has failed to clear the zone for Mac Carruth, and if the Hawks want to win this series, that cannot happen.
ADVANTAGE: Even
Goaltending:
Mac Carruth has stepped up at key times for the Winterhawks in these playoffs. His series against Tri-City was nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Oil Kings have the positively inhuman Laurent Brossoit in goal, whose 1.62 goals against average, and 95 percent save percentage bode badly for the Hawks.
ADVANTAGE: Oil Kings
Keys To Victory:
For Portland: Keep the game in their offensive zone. Put pressure on the defense, and keep firing on net. With as much talent as the Hawks have on the wings, and the scoring ability of so many members of the roster, they will break through the wall that is Brossoit eventually.
For Edmonton: Limit Portland’s shooting. Control the puck and the win the battles in the neutral zone. Keep the Hawks on their heels, and wear down the defense.
PREDICTION: Winterhawks in 7 games
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