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Part 2

Theo Kane of the Edmonton Blizzard and Alex Smirnov of the West Kendall Platoon are currently leading their respective teams in scoring. While Kane has provided a more goal scoring aspect then Smirnov so far in the first too rounds, Smirnov has still managed to be an offensive presence out on the ice. Smirnov's defense HAS been stronger and it shows in his slightly better plus-minus then his Canadian counterpart.

While the playoffs have treated them both well so far, we can come to the conclusion that maybe Smirnov's play has been slightly stronger than Kane. This series will be a real defining moment between the two player's as to who has been the true MVP of the series. But just because these player's are leading their teams, don't count out some other player's. Both teams goaltenders (Aittokallio for the Blizzard and Schmidt for the Platoon) have performed well so far.

The Blizzard also have some wild cards skaters in Tanaka and Goody, and on the Platoon side their is Szlercheck and Stryker, too player's have really proven themselves this season so far. We're anxiously awaiting how this series plays and out, and especially how Smirnov and Kane produce in the final stretch.



Part 3

The first game of this year's finals might just be the most important game of the entire series, if not the whole year. These two team's have seen tons of success coming into this round, and getting the momentum early on in the series could be the turning point in how the season goes. Winning the game will set the precedent for both team's in the entire series, and if both teams are going to come out and hit hard, they can immediately gain an advantage on their opponents.

One large defining factor in these games will be the ability to play physically, because the aggressive style of play for both teams is what makes them succeed while on the ice. Keeping on this style will allow them to open the surface more and effectively stop their offense in its tracks.



Part 4

My thoughts as far as overall skill-wise matchups between the two team's go is that they are fairly balanced. Both team's had a strong blend of offensive, defensive, and special teams ability throughout the course of the season, but if I had to hand the top position to one team it would be the Platoon. Despite being in the arguably weaker division, they performed well against all team's so any claims of them being only strong against lesser teams should be discredited.

Along the terms of goal-tending, we think the Platoon have a slight advantage. Schmidt performed really well during the regular season for his team, and the team is backed up by star young goaltender Matt-Lewis Flood who will be their future star. The Blizzard aren't out though, and have Aittokallio as well as younger goaltender Brett Broadway.