05-31-2013, 11:26 AM
Playoff Match Ups
There is no guarantee that this is who everyone is going to play in the end. There is still a tight race in both the West and the East for playoff positioning. I am going to base it on where everyone stands right now. As of day 62 for the West, Most likely day 64 for the East. It will be a two part article as we break down each team and how they have done against one another. Who to expect to step up and what the end prediction for the series is going to be.
So starting in the West as it stands right now:
1. Edmonton Blizzard 31 - 12 - 3
2. Winnipeg Jets 27 - 12 - 6
3. Calgary Dragons 26 - 16 - 4
4. Texas Renegades 25 - 17 - 4
5. Las Vegas Kings 15 - 25 - 5
6. Los Angeles Panthers 13 - 25 - 7
There is a good chance that the Blizzard will be playing the Renegades in the first round and that the Jets will take on the Dragons.
Blizzard vs. Renegades
The two teams have played each other 7 times so far this season and still have two more match ups, they actually played each other more then any other two teams in the league this year. So far the series has gone like this. The Blizzard have won 4 all in regulation, the Renegades have won 2 in regulation and 1 in shoot out.
Day 15: 3 - 1 Blizzard
Day 27: 3 - 1 Blizzard
Day 28: 3 - 2 Blizzard
Day 31: 4 - 0 Blizzard
Day 44: 6 - 2 Renegades
Day 50: 1 - 0 Renegades
Day 59: 3 - 1 Renegades
Here is the story line to the series, the Blizzard have out shot the Renegades in every game but one, day 59, typically it is about a ten shot difference. So the Blizzard have owned the control of the puck and the game. Despite the control that the Blizzard own during the game play the Renegade have obviously started to figure out the Blizzard puzzle as they have won the last 3 games. They have also been the more physical team dishing out more hits and better at the face off winning well over 55% over the series.
Stars for the series
Blizzard:
Tom Corcoran - 3 stars (1st, 2nd, 2nd)
Zach Dooley - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Lucas Smith - 1 star (1st)
Logan Valentine - 1 star (1st)
John Langabeer - 1star (2nd)
Smirnov Light - 1 star (3rd)
Renegades:
Brendan Gibbson - 4 stars (1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd)
Elisa Armia - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Daniel Carlsson - 2 stars (3rd , 3rd)
Johnas Gustavo - 1 star (1st)
Chris Parthow - 1 star (1st)
Joey Zyla - 1 star (2nd)
Patrick Walsh - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the Series
Blizzard:
The Blizzard have owned the series despite what the last three games have shown. Obviously what they are doing is working so they need to keep it up, the only opportunity would be working on their face-offs and getting a few more hits during a game. Corcoran will need to be at the top of his game, when he is not the snipers for the Renegades do take advantage.
Renegades:
They need to find a way to stop the Blizzard’s relentless offesnse, it is true they have found a way to win while being out shot, but you can’t win a 7 game series that way. Johnas Gustavo needs to continue to be dominate in net as he may have times with minimal defensive support. Keep up the physical play, during a seven game series you can wear down your opponents and cause them to make mental errors.
Who to watch for:
Elisa Armia - League leader in points will continue in the playoffs
Tom Corcoran - Amazing regular season should translate to a big post season
Brendan Gibbson - Has been the most successful Renegade against the blizzard
Laraque Obama - Edmonton’s leading point player has been quiet against the Renegades
End Prediction:
Blizzard takes it in 6 games. Still the Renegades have it in them to beat the Blizzard so don’t be surprised if the outcome is something completely different.
- Blizzard own the better offense and have already shown it, at least in a team effort.
- Blizzard have the better defense allowing fewer shots on a regular basis.
- Blizzard have the league’s best goalie this season and with the exception of one game he has played like it against the Renegades.
Jets vs. Dragons
The two play each other 7 times this season, so far they have faced off 6 times and during those six times the Jets have won the all. 4 in Regulation, 1 in overtime and 1 in shootout. While the Jets will have a mental advantage over the Dragons, Calgary has shown they can push the Jets to the limit but does that mean they can beat them?
Day 24: 5 - 4 Jets
Day 27: 2 - 1 Jets
Day 28 2 - 0 Jets
Day 32: 3 - 2 Jets
Day 59: 3 - 1 Jets
Day 63: 4 - 3 Jets
There were two really interesting facts I saw when reviewing this series. 1. The games were incredibly even, shots over the series were almost identical, face off percentage was maybe 2% in difference (for the Jets), hits were about even, and even the man advantage over the series was about even. These teams look like a match for each other. 2. Despite the even penalties, the Jets were able to capitalize on it at least once in every game something the Dragon were unable to take advantage of, and that is where this series was won and lost.
Stars of the series
Jets:
John McBride - 3 stars (1st, 1st, 2nd,)
Armin Brovalchuk - 2 stars (1st, 2nd)
Brandon Donini - 2 stars (1st, 2nd)
Jordan Hall - 2 stars (3rd, 3rd)
Willie Webber - 1 star (1st)
Ezekiel Turkkonen - 1 star (1st)
Calgary:
Kain Webb - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Chuck Weird - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Donnie Darko - 1 star (2nd)
Kari Barkov - 1 star (3rd)
Chris McZehrl - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the series
Jets:
Despite the jets winning every game in the series the actual game play is very close, they need to maintain the mental edge of “we own you†against the Dragons and win the first two games at home. If they give the Dragons a chance early it could be the shot in the arm they need to turn things around. They also need to stay dominate in the special teams, likely that is where this series will be won and lost.
Dragons:
It all comes down to winning a game, if the Dragons can win an early game against the Jets they may be able to build some momentum behind that. Special teams will be key, their penalty kill was ok through out the series, but their power play was horrible with the exception of two games. Mike Verminski may need to guild his team in a standout performance to get them that all important first win.
Who to watch for:
John McBride - He’s been a wall when needed to against a very good Calgary offense.
Chuck Weird - A big part of this series will come from the power play, he has been one of Calgary’s best weapons during the man advantage.
Jordan Hall - Calgary has kept the sniper in check for the most part, Winnipeg and Hall will try to change that.
Kain Webb - The leading goal scorer needs to put the puck in the net far more often against the Jets if the Dragons are going to win.
End Predictions:
Now I am a gambling man…and as a gambling man you have to plat the odds, Winnipeg wins in 5. I believe it is going to be a close and hard fought series, the Dragins will win one game but it will be to little to late.
- Better goaltending, McBride is a beast, and steps up when needed
- Better special teams, as they have out performed all series long
- The mental edge from the regular season
There is no guarantee that this is who everyone is going to play in the end. There is still a tight race in both the West and the East for playoff positioning. I am going to base it on where everyone stands right now. As of day 62 for the West, Most likely day 64 for the East. It will be a two part article as we break down each team and how they have done against one another. Who to expect to step up and what the end prediction for the series is going to be.
So starting in the West as it stands right now:
1. Edmonton Blizzard 31 - 12 - 3
2. Winnipeg Jets 27 - 12 - 6
3. Calgary Dragons 26 - 16 - 4
4. Texas Renegades 25 - 17 - 4
5. Las Vegas Kings 15 - 25 - 5
6. Los Angeles Panthers 13 - 25 - 7
There is a good chance that the Blizzard will be playing the Renegades in the first round and that the Jets will take on the Dragons.
Blizzard vs. Renegades
The two teams have played each other 7 times so far this season and still have two more match ups, they actually played each other more then any other two teams in the league this year. So far the series has gone like this. The Blizzard have won 4 all in regulation, the Renegades have won 2 in regulation and 1 in shoot out.
Day 15: 3 - 1 Blizzard
Day 27: 3 - 1 Blizzard
Day 28: 3 - 2 Blizzard
Day 31: 4 - 0 Blizzard
Day 44: 6 - 2 Renegades
Day 50: 1 - 0 Renegades
Day 59: 3 - 1 Renegades
Here is the story line to the series, the Blizzard have out shot the Renegades in every game but one, day 59, typically it is about a ten shot difference. So the Blizzard have owned the control of the puck and the game. Despite the control that the Blizzard own during the game play the Renegade have obviously started to figure out the Blizzard puzzle as they have won the last 3 games. They have also been the more physical team dishing out more hits and better at the face off winning well over 55% over the series.
Stars for the series
Blizzard:
Tom Corcoran - 3 stars (1st, 2nd, 2nd)
Zach Dooley - 2 stars (1st, 3rd)
Lucas Smith - 1 star (1st)
Logan Valentine - 1 star (1st)
John Langabeer - 1star (2nd)
Smirnov Light - 1 star (3rd)
Renegades:
Brendan Gibbson - 4 stars (1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd)
Elisa Armia - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Daniel Carlsson - 2 stars (3rd , 3rd)
Johnas Gustavo - 1 star (1st)
Chris Parthow - 1 star (1st)
Joey Zyla - 1 star (2nd)
Patrick Walsh - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the Series
Blizzard:
The Blizzard have owned the series despite what the last three games have shown. Obviously what they are doing is working so they need to keep it up, the only opportunity would be working on their face-offs and getting a few more hits during a game. Corcoran will need to be at the top of his game, when he is not the snipers for the Renegades do take advantage.
Renegades:
They need to find a way to stop the Blizzard’s relentless offesnse, it is true they have found a way to win while being out shot, but you can’t win a 7 game series that way. Johnas Gustavo needs to continue to be dominate in net as he may have times with minimal defensive support. Keep up the physical play, during a seven game series you can wear down your opponents and cause them to make mental errors.
Who to watch for:
Elisa Armia - League leader in points will continue in the playoffs
Tom Corcoran - Amazing regular season should translate to a big post season
Brendan Gibbson - Has been the most successful Renegade against the blizzard
Laraque Obama - Edmonton’s leading point player has been quiet against the Renegades
End Prediction:
Blizzard takes it in 6 games. Still the Renegades have it in them to beat the Blizzard so don’t be surprised if the outcome is something completely different.
- Blizzard own the better offense and have already shown it, at least in a team effort.
- Blizzard have the better defense allowing fewer shots on a regular basis.
- Blizzard have the league’s best goalie this season and with the exception of one game he has played like it against the Renegades.
Jets vs. Dragons
The two play each other 7 times this season, so far they have faced off 6 times and during those six times the Jets have won the all. 4 in Regulation, 1 in overtime and 1 in shootout. While the Jets will have a mental advantage over the Dragons, Calgary has shown they can push the Jets to the limit but does that mean they can beat them?
Day 24: 5 - 4 Jets
Day 27: 2 - 1 Jets
Day 28 2 - 0 Jets
Day 32: 3 - 2 Jets
Day 59: 3 - 1 Jets
Day 63: 4 - 3 Jets
There were two really interesting facts I saw when reviewing this series. 1. The games were incredibly even, shots over the series were almost identical, face off percentage was maybe 2% in difference (for the Jets), hits were about even, and even the man advantage over the series was about even. These teams look like a match for each other. 2. Despite the even penalties, the Jets were able to capitalize on it at least once in every game something the Dragon were unable to take advantage of, and that is where this series was won and lost.
Stars of the series
Jets:
John McBride - 3 stars (1st, 1st, 2nd,)
Armin Brovalchuk - 2 stars (1st, 2nd)
Brandon Donini - 2 stars (1st, 2nd)
Jordan Hall - 2 stars (3rd, 3rd)
Willie Webber - 1 star (1st)
Ezekiel Turkkonen - 1 star (1st)
Calgary:
Kain Webb - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Chuck Weird - 2 stars (2nd, 3rd)
Donnie Darko - 1 star (2nd)
Kari Barkov - 1 star (3rd)
Chris McZehrl - 1 star (3rd)
Keys to the series
Jets:
Despite the jets winning every game in the series the actual game play is very close, they need to maintain the mental edge of “we own you†against the Dragons and win the first two games at home. If they give the Dragons a chance early it could be the shot in the arm they need to turn things around. They also need to stay dominate in the special teams, likely that is where this series will be won and lost.
Dragons:
It all comes down to winning a game, if the Dragons can win an early game against the Jets they may be able to build some momentum behind that. Special teams will be key, their penalty kill was ok through out the series, but their power play was horrible with the exception of two games. Mike Verminski may need to guild his team in a standout performance to get them that all important first win.
Who to watch for:
John McBride - He’s been a wall when needed to against a very good Calgary offense.
Chuck Weird - A big part of this series will come from the power play, he has been one of Calgary’s best weapons during the man advantage.
Jordan Hall - Calgary has kept the sniper in check for the most part, Winnipeg and Hall will try to change that.
Kain Webb - The leading goal scorer needs to put the puck in the net far more often against the Jets if the Dragons are going to win.
End Predictions:
Now I am a gambling man…and as a gambling man you have to plat the odds, Winnipeg wins in 5. I believe it is going to be a close and hard fought series, the Dragins will win one game but it will be to little to late.
- Better goaltending, McBride is a beast, and steps up when needed
- Better special teams, as they have out performed all series long
- The mental edge from the regular season
