If the first couple of games into the WHL playoffs were any idea, the first round had the potential to see a great deal of long series. The switch to the opposition barns, though, changed much of the playoff scenario.
Starting in the east where Regina was the first team to make it to the second round with a sweep of its series with the Swift Current Broncos. The Pats were no match for the boys from Speedy Creek as the final game score also matched the series total at 4-0. The long distance series which was the battle of the Kings saw Brandon Wheat Kings drop the first game of the series, but then win the second handily. With the format of 2-3-2, Brandon would play the next three in Edmonton versus the Oil Kings. Following a Memorial Cup win last season, the Oil Kings were a depleted bunch and limped into the first round. They would be fodder for Brandon in their home city as the Wheat Kings took all three games in Edmonton including a thriller in overtime which they won 3-2 and took the series in five games.
The Central Division has Calgary Hitmen leading Kootenay Ice and Medicine Hat Tigers leading Red Deer Rebels three games to one. Calgary can close out their series in Calgary on Friday and Medicine Hat can do the same on Saturday. Both series have seen many goals and the battle for the last one has gone down to the wire in all their games.
Out west, The Kelowna Rockets needed extra time to finish the Tri-City Americans in game four in Kennewick, WA and swept that series. Eric Comrie, goaltender for Tri-City, faced 71 shots in that final game. Everett Silvertips have taken a two games to one lead in their series with Spokane Chiefs after a double overtime match in Spokane. That series comes back to Everett on Saturday following the game in Spokane on Friday night. The north and coast battle with Victoria Royals and Prince George Cougars saw Victoria win the first two and then drop the first game in Prince George before returning with a shutout to give them a three games to one series lead. The only series tied currently after four games is the Portland Winterhawks and Seattle Thunderbirds. The Hawks split the first two in Portland and dropped the third game 5-3, a game which they didn’t play as cohesively as they have. Game four saw the Hawks come out of the gate early and pressured the Thunderbirds mercilessly, at one point leading by as many as four goals. The Thunderbirds wouldn’t quit and they got within two goals during a power play in which they also pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker. The same play moments later, saw the Hawks capitalize and won the game 8-5. The series shifts to Portland and Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, which will do battle with the Trail Blazers home game at the Moda Center and the Timbers at Providence Park. Game six is in Seattle on Tuesday.
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