
After rookie blueliner Matt Dumba (more on him in a moment) opened the scoring with a terrific point blast low blocker side past a screened Laurent Brossoit, RNH converted a Andrej Kudrna flip pass, but appeared to direct it in with his right leg. The stripes reviewed it, and most of the hockey people sitting with us thought it wouldn't be allowed...but it was. That made it 2-0, and 35 seconds later with Griffin Reinhart and Adrian Van de Mosselaer in the box, Kudrna beat Brossoit with a one timed blast from the high slot. It was 3-0, and soon to be 4-0 in the series.
The Rebels move on and full marks to them, while the Oil Kings couldn't convert on the power play and will surely learn from this. Derek Laxdal's bunch has some serious potential, and with a few added pieces from Bob Green in the off season they will take a step forward next year.
As the playoffs continue, it will be fun to watch RNH add to his 5-4-9 in 4 game total, as well as Dumba. The kid has so much energy he's sometimes started up front to help him burn it off. He's a terrific talent, kind of a river boat gambler with a physical edge. Next year you can expect Dumba, (15 goals this year) along with Edmonton's Griffin Reinhart, Portland's Derek Pouliot, Everett's Ryan Murray and Moose Jaw's Morgan Rielly to come away as first round picks from the NHL draft.

Back to the Eastern Conference now, where Prince Albert took it to the Saskatoon Blades with a 5-2 win, evening the series at 2 games. Most we talked to have said the Art Hauser Centre in PA is a tough place to play in the post season, and the home side has won every game so far averaging 6 goals per game. Todd Fiddler scored twice, while 2011 first round prospect Mark McNeill had 1 +1 giving him 5 points thus far. Jamie Tucker has stopped 65 of 70 shots in winning 2 straight for PA. Brayden Schenn scored his 4th of the series after a ridiculous story surfaced before the game. Game 5 goes Saturday in Saskatoon.


Here's how the second round could shape up in each conference. Red Deer can face any team except Saskatoon. Portland looks to be facing Kelowna, unless Chilliwack stages a big comeback.

Food for Thought
After Thursday action in the Canadian Hockey League, 12 of 24 CHL playoff series have ended in 4-0 sweeps. Half of the combined teams that made the playoffs in the QMJHL, OHL and WHL have seen their season come to an abrupt end without winning a single playoff game. What's more, 7 of the remaining 12 series that are still going on, could end in 5 games.

Aside from the WHL sweeps detailed above, Tri-City dumped Vancouver and Kelowna breezed past Prince George. In the OHL, the big surprise was the Ottawa 67s, the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference, getting bounced by the Sudbury Wolves. Most people would have never guessed that outcome although TPS regular Sam Cosentino suggested the Wolves would be very worthy adversaries in the playoffs.

Other favorites on the verge of elimination include the Kitchener Rangers and the Erie Otters who were red-hot going into the playoffs against Windsor.
There are a few powerhouse clubs having a tough go of it in their respective playoff matches. As mentioned above, Saskatoon is now tied with Prince Albert, a team they finished 48 points ahead of in the standings. The Top team in the OHL's Western Conference is also being pushed - London is even with the first place Owen Sound Attack amidst an off-ice war of words.
Suffice to say, the CHL playoffs are always a treat to watch and this year, they're proving rather difficult to predict.
No comments:
Post a Comment