Withering 'Canes?

May 5th, 2008

For What it’s Worth: $67.14-It’s too early to bury the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL Finals.

Mamma said there would be days like these…

Let’s get the bad news out of the way. The Lethbridge Hurricanes find themselves down 2-0 in the WHL finals to the Spokane Chiefs. Give the Western Conference Champions full marks for their series lead, the Chiefs have dictated the tempo, played the more physical style and have cashed their scoring chances. That said, the ‘Canes have a lot left to give, starting in Game 3 Tuesday.

Michael Dyck’s crew has looked tentative so far in the finals, especially in Game 1. It wasn’t a huge surprise. The Hurricanes were coming off an 8-day lay-off after sweeping Calgary in the Eastern Conference Finals. So rink rust was a definite factor.

Nearly a third of the roster had never played in the Spokane Arena. It’s an intimidating building. The crowd, while short of a sell-out each night, was loud, cheering everything—and I mean everything—every shot on goal, every save, every hit.

Then there’s the bizarre switching of ends. Unlike every other hockey team on the face of the earth, the Chiefs opt to have the long change in the first and third periods. I’ve never heard of this, never seen it. That’s got to take some time to get used to.

So there were lots of challenges for the Hurricanes to overcome. Throw in Spokane scoring early in the first period of both games; the locals were fighting an uphill battle this past weekend.

Yet the ‘Canes showed signs of life in Game 2. After Spokane’s fast start, the ‘Bridge turned things around in the second half of the first period. Zach Boychuk scored twice, one goal was allowed, the other wasn’t (and it did look like Boychuk kicked the puck into the net). The Chiefs were on their heels a bit. However, the home side had an answer every time the Hurricanes got close, and that’s why Spokane took a 2-0 lead.

The ‘Canes have to stay optimistic. The team has yet to show their best in the series. But it’s going to take a total team effort to come up with the necessary wins at home. I’m sure the Chiefs aren’t going to lay back.

So what do the Hurricanes need to do? I believe they need to remember their effort against Brandon in the first round. The Wheat Kings played a similar style to the Chiefs. Brandon attacked with an aggressive forecheck and tried to pound the Hurricanes into submission. The ‘Canes found a way to break out of their own end against the Wheaties, often with a long outlet pass and then a chip from the neutral zone into the offensive end. Lethbridge also surpassed Brandon physically, out-hitting the Wheat Kings.

So, the Boys from the ‘Bridge must dig deep. Play together like we’ve seen for most of the playoffs thus far, with contributions from everyone in the line-up. Play the game at its highest level because that’s what’s required in May hockey.

Anything less and a fine season will end short of the ultimate goal.

Spare Change

Covering Games 1 and 2 gave me the opportunity to visit Spokane for the first time. The area downtown around the river is very pleasant. The Spokane Arena is first rate with a nice wide concourse, a big screen with video replay and lovely blooming trees around the exterior.

The press box had plenty of room as well, but there was a lack of water, which left the visiting press corps somewhat dehydrated.

If (when?) the Hurricanes head back to the Arena I highly recommend ‘Canes fans getting together for a fun road trip to cheer the team on!

As far as dining choices, I highly recommend the Italian Kitchen on Bernard Street. I had the homemade ravioli and it was magnifico!

I also walked around Gonzaga University. It’s a fine looking campus, lots of green space with a blend of new and classic architecture. Found the Bulldogs store and I attacked the sales rack for some sweet G-U gear.

Here’s hoping I get a return trip…

Oh 1997.....it's so Nintendo 64.

April 16^th, 2008

For What It’s Worth: $87.78-The Lethbridge Hurricanes are the team to beat in the WHL’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Why stop now? For the first time since Jerry McGuire and Jamiroquai were hip, the Lethbridge Hurricanes are playing in the WHL’s Eastern Conference Finals. 1997 was a grand year for the franchise, as the ‘Canes won their only Dub Championship (other great things from ’97: Jewel-did she move back to Alaska or what? Dolly-why can’t I clone things yet? and Deep Blue-take that chess master!). Now, the “Boys from the ‘Bridge” are just four wins away from taking another stab at winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup (formerly the President’s Trophy). Only Calgary stands in Lethbridge’s way. And while the Hitmen are a very good team, there’s no reason why the ‘Canes shouldn’t be favoured in their best-of-7 series.

On paper, the Hitmen and Hurricanes are very close. Calgary led the Eastern Conference with 259 regular season goals; Lethbridge was third with 245. The Hitmen allowed just 166 lamp-lighters (1^st in the East); the ‘Canes gave up 175 (2^nd).

Special teams? In the post season, both teams have similar numbers. Lethbridge’s power play is successful 22.2% of the time; Calgary is at 25.0%. The ‘Canes have the slight edge on the penalty kill at 87.5%; the Hitmen are at 78.1%

Lethbridge has had a somewhat “easier” path to the East Finals, defeating Brandon in 6 games and Kootenay in 5. Calgary needed 6 games to take out both Moose Jaw and Swift Current.

Perhaps the Hitmen can look back at past playoff success. Kelly Kisio’s squad lost in the conference championship a year ago (to Medicine Hat). Also, Calgary has won both its previous post-season series versus the ‘Canes: in 5 games in 2004 (a tour de force performance by Ryan Getzlaf) and in 6 games in 2005 (only Justin Leclerc’s great goaltending kept it close).

One concern for Calgary might be in net. Incumbent Daniel Spence has a playoff goals against average of 2.98 and a save percentage at .886. Back-up Martin Jones replaced Spence in game 5 against Swift Current in the East Semifinals and then started the clincher one day later. Jones’ numbers are much better (1.80GAA, .924sv%, although in just 167 minutes). Goaltending controversy? Perhaps, or maybe it’s nice to have two options at this time of year.

All the stats are very close, so where’s the advantage? It’s the head-to-head series. The Hurricanes won 5 of 6 meetings between the two sides this past regular season. Plus, Michael Dyck’s crew loves playing at the Saddledome. The locals last lost on the NHL-sized sheet of ice in October of 2006, a span of 6 games.

Experience can only take a team so far, and really Lethbridge has gained plenty already in this run. This ‘Canes squad got their first taste of post-season success out muscling a physical Brandon side in the first round. Against Kootenay in round two, the locals shook off two third period blown leads on home ice to crush the Ice in Cranbrook. About a month ago the Hurricanes were a pretty green group. Now it’s a team with two series wins and hungry for more.

I’m not going to make a prediction, thanks to the Baceda Kiss of Death*. Look for a close hard-fought series. A little confidence is a scary thing, and the Hurricanes are no longer playoff newbies. All I know is, I’d like to put 1997 to rest even though Jacques Villeneuve would disagree.

*Check the FWIW archives

WHL Playoff Manifesto

March 28^th, 2008

For What it's Worth: $88.90-This year's WHL playoffs will be one for the ages, so get involved already.

First off, I apologize for the delay between posts. But it's been mad crazy at Global Lethbridge Sports. March always brings the close of the WHL season, high school basketball zone and provincial tournaments, minor hockey playoffs, and various other events. It's the perfect storm of activity here in Southern Alberta. I'm always surprised our huge (2-man) department covers as much as it does. However, here at Global Sports, our theme song is BTO's Takin' Care of Business.

Heading into the WHL playoffs, it seemed like there were 8 or 9 teams with a legit shot at winning the title. And now a week into post season, I have no reason to think it's not the case. In the Western Conference, Tri-City, Vancouver and Spokane all look like their dominant selves in the first round. It'll be interesting to see who survives the second round, with the Giants most likely matching up against the Chiefs. While the Americans get to face the winner of the 4-5 match-up, Kelowna or Seattle. A big edge to the Amerks. Tri-City will probably have a much easier road to the conference final while Vancouver and Spokane will battle, in what should be a 6 or 7 game series.

In the Eastern Conference, it was conceivable that every quarterfinal series could see an upset. Remember, after the regular season, only 11 points separated the top seed from the 8^th. However, Calgary, Lethbridge and Kootenay have all ran out to big leads in their respective best-of-7's. Only Regina and Swift Current were tied at two wins apiece after four games.

Still, I wouldn't count out Moose Jaw, Brandon or Medicine Hat on making a big come back and taking a series in 7 games, doubtful, but the Boston Red Sox, circa 2004, gives everybody hope.

As for the Hurricanes, they're trying to win their first playoff round in 11 years. In a decade's worth of post-season failure, the club has mostly limped into a first round match up against one of the Dub's top teams, and then lost in four or five games. However, it's different this time around. The organization is on the rise, looking like a contender not just for this year, but the years to come.

Matching up against Brandon, the ‘Canes shook off some nerves in the first period of Game 1, and rallied for the victory. In their 3 wins over the Wheat Kings, Michael Dyck's crew won the special teams battle. The club's power play looks vastly improved from the regular campaign, and the penalty kill came up clutch against the Wheaties.

While the sweep was on the table, it was never really in the cards. Brandon is a good side, a nice blend of experience and youth, and an impressive 15 games over .500 at home. Plus, in their 3 defeats, the Wheaties had a lead in each one, before losing by one goal.

From the start, I thought this series would go 6 or 7 games, and if the Hurricanes can close things out in 5, more power to them. But Brandon now has some life, with the next game at the Keystone Centre. It certainly won't be a shock to see both teams return to the ‘Bridge for game 6. If that happens, the ‘Canes must keep their composure, remembering it's a tough match-up all along.

And then it's up to the city to get on board. I understand that many Lethbridge hockey fans are wary to get excited about the WHL playoffs, 11 years of ineptness will do that. But to have a thousand less people at the Enmax Centre for Game 1 against Brandon, than the biggest crowd of the regular season, is disappointing.

Everyone loves a winner. So, the way I see it, there's no excuse not to pack the "Old Sportsplex." Why? That's easy. You can root for this year's edition of the Hurricanes, whether they advance to the second round or not because these kids are winners. A fine group of young men, solid citizens in the community, that just so happen to be ranked 10^th in the Canadian Hockey League. If you can't cheer on this team, then it's simple, junior hockey isn't for you.

Les Anti-Leafs

February 21st, 2008

For What it’s Worth: $92.70-The Montreal Canadiens have built a Stanley Cup contender the old-fashioned way…by drafting well.

It’s down right depressing how hockey is covered in Canada. Since our major sports networks are all based in the “Centre of the Universe,” i.e. Toronto, we’re constantly hammered with Maple Leafs mania. Win, lose or draw, the Buds get top billing more often than not. Granted, the club has the most fans here in the Great White North, and there must be some sort of constant thirst for all things Leaf. However, our nation’s other teams often get short changed media wise. It probably explains how the Montreal Canadiens snuck up on Canadian NHL fans outside of Quebec (and I’m guessing, in reality, the majority of La Belle Provence).

Heading into late February, the Canadiens are vying for first place in the Eastern Conference. A year after missing the NHL’s playoffs, and many seasons of mediocrity, Les Habitants have emerged into a power. How has Montreal become a contender? It’s simple--great scouting. Of the 23 players currently on the Canadiens roster, the club drafted 14 of them.

Here’s the breakdown: (player, round and draft year).

Forwards

Chris Higgins-1^st Round 2002.

Saku Koivu-1^st Round 1993

Andrei Kostitsyn-1^st Round 2003

Sergei Kostitsyn-7^th Round 2005

Maxim Lapierre-2^nd Round 2003

Guillaume Latendresse-2^nd Round

Tomas Plekanec-3^rd Round 2001

Michael Ryder-8^th Round 1998

Steve Begin-Waivers

Tom Kostopolous-Free Agent

Alexei Kovalev-Trade

Bryan Smolinski-Free Agent

Defence

Patrice Briesbois-2^nd Round 1989

Mike Komisarek-1^st Round 2001

Andrei Markov-6^th Round 1998

Ryan O’Byrne-3^rd Round 2004

Mark Streit-9^th Round 2004

Francis Bouillon-Waivers

Mathieu Dandeneault-Free Agent

Josh Gorges-Trade

Roman Hamrlik-Free Agent

Goaltender

Carey Price-1^st Round 2005

Christobal Huet-Trade

Also, Kyle Chipchura (1^st Round 2004) has played 35 games this season in Montreal. There’s just something better about homegrown talent (or vegetables).

The Canadiens are one of the NHL’s highest scoring clubs, in the top 5 in goals for. Of the team’s top 10 scorers, only Kovalev (it’s not even my contract season…eat that naysayers!) and Hamrlik weren’t drafted.

Most of the credit goes to Bob Gainey. Since taking over the Habs General Manager duties in 2003, 7 of his draft picks (Kostitsyn x2, Lapierre, Latendress, O’Byrne, Streit, Price, 8 if you’d like to include Chipchura) are on the roster. Andre Savard (2000-2003), Gainey’s predecessor selected 3 current Canadiens (Higgins, Plekanec, Komisarek). Rejean Houle (1995-2000), the GM before Savard has 2 of his picks still around (Ryder and Markov). And here’s a shout out to Serge Savard, the long-time head honcho who preceded Houle, still has two guys he picked wearing le blue, blanc et rouge (Brisebois, Koivu).

Contrast how Montreal has built its roster with Toronto. The Maple Leafs have just a handful of drafted players on its current roster, with only Tomas Kaberle, a top NHLer. If the Buds are lucky, they’ll earnestly start a rebuilding process before the 100^th anniversary of the club’s last Stanley Cup victory. Even then, the Leafs are years away from contending.

Meanwhile, Montreal is the here and now. Most hockey publications before the season had the Canadiens missing the playoffs. Perhaps the experts should have forecasted the side’s rise sooner. Hamilton, the Habs’ AHL affiliate, has been a strong club in recent years. The Bulldogs won the Calder Cup a year ago and were runner-ups in 2003.

It will be interesting to see how the Habs approach Tuesday’s NHL trade deadline. There’s always pressure to win in the City of Saints. The team does have the assets to move to acquire a rental player or two; however, even without any major moves, it’s set up to win for years to come.

15 years have passed since Les Canadiens last won le Coupe Stanley. There’s no assurance this year’s squad will end the drought. But for the first time in a long time, there’s real hope for this storied franchise.

Spare Change

February 14th, 2008

A lot of things have happened in sports since I last wrote (I was felled by illness last week, I'm guessing SARS), so I'm offering up a grab bag of thoughts, musings and rants.

For What it's Worth: $93.45-The Lethbridge Hurricanes are getting down right offensive...but not in a Howard Stern or Oprah Winfrey kind of way.

We all make New Year's resolutions, and I'm guessing the Hurricanes resolved to keep goal judges busy around the Western Hockey League. Since the start of 2008, Michael Dyck's crew has played 17 games, going 12-2-1-2. The club has piled up 70 goals over that span. In their last 9 contests, the ‘Canes have had two 9 goal games, one 8 goal effort and most recently spanked Kootenay 7-1.

The team is up to 195 goals on the season, now fourth in the WHL's Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes have a balanced attack, with four players on pace for 30+ goals: Mitch Fadden (28), Dwight King (26), Zach Boychuk (25), and Colton Sceviour (24). 1997 was the last time the team boasted four or more 30-goal men, Shane Willis (56), Byron Ritchie (50), Travis Brigley (43), Kirby Law (39), and Mike Josephson (32). That club just happened to win the ‘Canes first and only WHL Championship.

Another good sign is the Hurricanes power play has come to life. Mired among the bottom third in the Dub for most of the season, the team is 16-63 in its last 10 games with the man advantage, a sparkling 25.4% clip.

Heading into the 2007-'08 campaign, many believed the ‘Canes would be one of the WHL's top scoring teams. In the first half the club wasn't bad offensively, but now it's firing on all cylinders. Combining with a strong defensive game, the Hurricanes are dominating on both ends of the rink.

FWIW: $76.89-Cliff Fletcher was a bad choice by the Toronto Maple Leafs to lead their rebuilding project.

A couple of weeks have passed since the Toronto Maple Leafs fired John Ferguson Jr. as General Manager, replacing him, on an interim basis, with the "Silver Fox" Cliff Fletcher. Leafs Nation looks back on Fletcher's first run as GM with the club fondly. The high point came in losing back-to-back Western Conference finals in 1993 and '94 (if losing in the conference championship finals is really a highlight).

So it's back to the future for the Buds, handing the reins over to Fletcher once again. Toronto is in need of a massive rebuild, and I'm stupefied that Fletcher was tabbed to begin the task. Make no mistake, the Hall of Famer was--was--a fine GM. But his legacy with the Leafs is actually part of the organization's problem today.

Fletcher began his first run in T.O. in 1991. He then left the club six seasons later. While the 72 year old is most remembered for fleecing Calgary in a trade for Doug Gilmour (seriously Doug Risebrough, Gary Leeman????), his drafts were down right horrible. The Leafs should have at least a few impact players still on the roster from the lotteries Fletcher led. However, that's simply not the case.

Thanks to Hockeydb.com here's a look at the Leafs' drafts under Fletcher. The number in parentheses is the player's draft position. (Cliff was hired on July 2^nd, 1991, a couple weeks after the '91 draft-which sucked as well).

1992: Brandon Convery (8), Grant Marshall (23), Nikolai Borchevsky (77), Mark Raiter (95), Janne Gronvall (101), Chris DeRuiter (106), Mikael Hakansson (125), Patrik Augusta (149), Ryan VandenBussche (173), Wayne Clarke (197), Sergei Simonov (221), Nathan Dempsey (245)

1993: Kenny Jonsson (12), Landon Wilson (19), Zdenek Nedved (123), Paul Vincent (149), Jeff Andrews (175), David Brumby (201), Kyle Ferguson (253), Mikhail Lapin (279)

1994: Eric Fichaud (16), Sean Haggarty (48), Fredrik Modin (64), Mark Deyell (126), Kam White (152), Tomi Rajamaki (178), Rob Butler (204), Sergei Berezin (254), Doug Nolan (282)

1995: Jeff Ware (15), Ryan Pepperall (54), Doug Bonner (139), Yannick Tremblay (145), Marek Melenovsky (171), Mark Murphy (197), Danil Markov (223)

1996: Marek Posmyk (36), Francis Larivee (50), Mike Lankshear (66), Konstatin Kalmikov (68), Jason Sessa (86), Vladimir Antipov (103), Peter Cava (110), Brandon Sugden (111), Dmitry Yakushin (140), Chris Bogas (148), Lucio DiMartinis (151), Reggie Berg (178), Tomas Kaberle (204), Jared Hope 230

There's just one all-star in 50 picks (Tomas Kaberle) over 5 drafts. In fact, only 12 of these guys actually played over 100 NHL games (most just barely). There's 3, 30-goal scorers (Borchevsky, Modin-with Tampa Bay, and Berezin). How about the first rounders? Brandon Convery, Grant Marshall, Kenny Jonsson, Eric Fichaud, and Jeff Ware. I guess Jonsson was above average in his 10 NHL seasons. Marshall was a nice 3^rd liner in Dallas, Columbus and New Jersey in his 12 big-league campaigns.

All in all, it's a poor performance. And I doubt Fletcher's better now nearly 20 years later. Maybe he can move Mats Sundin and Bryan McCabe (ha!) for a boatload of prospects and get the organization headed in the right direction. All I know is if I'm a Leafs fan I'm less than thrilled with the direction of the team. But it's not like Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment is getting any smarter...

FWIW: $92.10-The NBA...its' Trade-tastic!!

What's going on in the National Basketball Association? In a league not known for trades in recent times, there's more wheeling and dealing going on than the ol' church flea market.

It started in the off-season when Boston acquired Kevin Garnett from Minnesota and Ray Allen from Seattle. Those moves were an obvious response to New York trading for Zach Randolph from Portland (yes, I was giggling while writing that).

Now the Western Conference is getting in on the act this week. The Los Angeles Lakers stole Pau Gasol from Memphis for pretty much nothing. Phoenix goes off the deep end acquiring the player formerly known as Shaquille O'Neal from Miami for Shawn Marion. Now it's reported Dallas is scooping Jason Kidd from New Jersey for Devin Harris and others.

By my count, that's 4 or 5 hall-of-famers on the move. A lot of big name all-star types finding themselves in new colours. It's great for NBA fans to dissect these trades, and there's a lot of second-guessing going on outside of Boston and Los Angeles. While it makes for big headlines, in the end, only one of these clubs will lift the Larry O'Brien trophy in June.

Well that's all for now...try not to get the SARS, or the Avian Flu, or the mumps, or the malaria...there's a lot of it going around.

Shark Bites

With the Lethbridge Hurricanes on the road this week, I also took the time to head out. I went to Calgary this week for the Flames game against San Jose. This was a working trip, however, no time for touristy fun like going to the Calgary Tower or visiting the Calgary Zoo.

For What it’s Worth: $46.78-The San Jose Sharks are going to continue to disappoint come NHL playoff.

As an objective journalist (are there any left?) I wouldn’t mind seeing the Sharks make a long playoff run. The club features a pair of good ol’ Southern Albertan boys (thanks Don!), Taber’s Devin Setoguchi and Coaldale’s Kyle McLaren. They have one of the league’s most dynamic players in Joe Thornton. There’s plenty of speed and skill, and the Sharks have to be the biggest team in the NHL (the club weighs in at 5992 pounds, 214 per man. Even their goalies, Evgeni Nabokov and Thomas (I Never See the Ice) Greiss are 200 lbs!).

Yet, for me, there’s something missing. I think it comes down to Thornton and Sharks captain Patrick Marleau. Looking at their playoff statistics, the duo average well under a point per game (Thornton 57 playoff games-38 points, Marleau 73 playoff games-51pts). But the pair’s style is not really conducive to the post-season. When things get physical, both can disappear.

Marleau is tremendously fast with a great touch (until this year, 9 goals in 51 games???). The Aneroid, Saskatchewan native, most famously in these parts, was completely neutralized in the 1997 WHL Finals by a fierce Lethbridge Hurricanes side. Heading into the best of 7, Marleau had 22 points in 11 games as his Seattle Thunderbirds waltzed through the Western Conference bracket. But against the ‘Bridge, Marleau had just one assist as his Thunderbirds were swept by the Hurricanes.

As for Thornton, his ability to win in the post-season was the biggest reason he was traded from Boston to San Jose. And with the Sharks, he’s yet to lead the club out of the second round.

Perhaps moving Marleau for a grittier forward can give the club the boost it needs. The Sharks could probably use another top tour blue-liner as well. Still, there’s a lot to like from this team and perhaps it gets over the hump to play for the Stanley Cup in June. Maybe, Marleau and Thornton dig deep and become as well known for their playoff performance as their regular season production.

Spare Change

In other Sharks news, Setoguchi made quite the impression on the Flames. The former Saskatoon Blade and Prince George Cougar took a run at Calgary Captain Jarome Iginla in the first period. Iggy was none too pleased, asking Seto for a spot of fisticuffs. Devin politely declined. Setoguchi was then in another spat with Dion Phaneuf, with the Flames defenceman picking up an extra roughing minor. The Taber product was playing in front of 100 family and friends, and even though Setoguchi was held off the score sheet, he made his mark.

Setoguchi’s made the trip from San Jose to Worchester, Massachusetts (the Sharks AHL affiliate) a few times this campaign. He says it’s a learning experience and it’s not the team that sends a player to the minors, but the player’s performance, or lack thereof, that does. Devin is settling in well in Silicon Valley, rooming with teammate Torrey Mitchell. The only drawback is neither can cook very well, so they’re eating out a lot.

Talking with San Jose assistant coach Rob Zettler, he says the rookie is going through the typical ups and downs. After a strong training camp, Setoguchi was hurt to start the NHL season. After getting healthy, he made his debut in the big show, scoring twice, the only Shark to ever accomplish the feat. Then a four game goal streak in November was followed by a dry spell, and a trip to the minors. Since Seto’s recall in the middle of this month, Zetter believes the winger is using his speed well, playing a responsible brand, and helping the Sharks defensively.

As for McLaren, he’s trying to come back from a knee injury. I played basketball against his brother Dean in high school (well my team played his, CCH versus Kate Anrdrews, I watched a lot from the bench). Kyle was a bit introspective after I called him a veteran player. In the NHL at the age of 18, the former Tacoma Rocket, has 12 big-league seasons under his belt. It seems he’s truly appreciative of getting paid (handsomely) to play the game he loves.

So if the Flames can’t make another long Stanley Cup run, maybe I’ll get on the Sharks bandwagon, after all, Jeremy Roenick always keeps things interesting.

Super Bowl XLII

I’ll keep it brief since there’s enough Super Bowl coverage to keep a person entertained, or nauseous, or both.

I earlier wrote New England was somewhat flawed, but since my pick, Indianapolis decided to tank in the AFC semifinals, I can’t see the Patriots losing. As game as the New York Giants are, the Pats have to finish this dream season off, perfect don’t they? The G-men’s secondary is highly suspect, and New England QB Tom Brady should be able to exploit it.

The recipe for New York: no turnovers, get huge pressure on Brady from the defensive line, and run the ball well to control the clock. I’ll put the odds at 10-1 for New York to win. Not bad, but look for the best team in NFL history talk to include the 2007 New England Patriots in the years and decades to come.

The East is a Beast

January 22nd, 2008

For What it’s Worth: $95.99-The WHL’s Eastern Conference playoff race will be one for the ages.

It’s said, “West is Best,” but in the Western Hockey League this season, the East is a beast. With just two months left in the regular season, the Dub’s Eastern Conference playoff chase is shaping up to be a pier-six brawl (forget those pansy brawls on piers one-through-five). As of this writing, the east’s top 8 teams are all above the break-even mark. The last time the Eastern Conference had all of it’s playoff qualifiers at .500 or better was 1997. Perhaps a good omen for the Lethbridge Hurricanes (Byron Ritchie rulez!!).

The top seed right now, Calgary, is powered by one of the league’s top offences. The Hitmen already have 9 players with at least 10 goals, and should have a couple more join the double-digit ranks. As an added bonus, Kelly Kisio’s club has also allowed the least amount of goals in the conference. Still, Kiss had yet to smile this season.

Regina leads the East Division. The Pats loaded up for a post-season drive, adding veterans JD Watt, Ryan Bender and Ryan DePape among others. Currently rolling, on a 6-game win streak, Regina is a gritty group, seemingly built for spring hockey.

After the division leaders, comes a whack of clubs, including Lethbridge, which can contend in the end. Kootenay has most of its team back that racked up 104 points and second in the conference a year ago. Moose Jaw made the biggest splash at the trade deadline, acquiring Ty Wishart from Prince George. Wishart joins Keaton Ellerby as a pair of NHL first round picks on the Warriors blue-line. Brandon lacks star-power, yet the Wheat Kings are tied with Calgary with 170 goals for and boast the conference’s second best goal differential at plus 41. Medicine Hat, while not quite as dangerous as last year, is still the defending WHL champ. Swift Current, currently in 8^th, is the third highest scoring team in the east, with an opportunistic blue-line and a goalie in Travis Yonkman who’s can steal a hockey game. Better bring something extra, like a steel chair or some brass knucks to this fight.

Then there are the Hurricanes. The team has changed its identity as the season has progressed. While offence was thought to be the strength of the club heading into 2007-‘08, team defence has emerged. The ‘Canes are second in the conference in goals allowed (just one more than Calgary). Since the start of the New Year, Michael Dyck’s crew has allowed a measly 9 goals in 7 games. The addition of overager Jeff May has bolstered the blue-line (although it looks like the ‘Canes must make do without Jesse Craige for a while. The 19-year-old rearguard was injured Saturday against Tri-City, and is out indefinitely with a knee injury). Better defence? Sounds like a recipe for a long playoff run.

Right now, just 9 points separate the Eastern Conference’s top 7 teams. We pretty much know who’s making the post-season, but predicting seeding is fruitless. These contenders better bring their best for the next 8 weeks. All I know is it’s going to make for fantastic hockey, with a playoff-like intensity in most barns on most nights from here on out. And as a fan, that’s all I can ask for.