#1 Kelowna Knights v. #9 Detroit Falcons
Goals For: 153 (2), 131 (7)
Goals Against: 123 (2), 141 (6)
Last 10: 8-1-1 (1), 4-5-1 (8)
Powerplay%: 21.39 (1), 15.73 (9)
Penalty Kill%: 79.43 (8), 83.33 (4)

Possessing one of the most lethal offenses and stingiest defenses, the Knights out perform the Falcons in nearly every aspect of the game. 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, they enter the playoffs as the hottest team in the SMJHL as well and will be a very difficult matchup for the underdog Detroit Falcons. Don't dismiss the Falcons quite yet though. Outside of the St. Louis Scarecrows no team has been as successful against the Knights than the Falcons managing to tie the 6 game regular season series 3-3. In those 6 games the goals were 15 to 14 in favor of the Knights so these two teams are much closer than the stats would suggest. Toss in a convincing wild card series win where they dispatched the Vancouver Whalers in just 5 games and the Falcons could play upset. Safe money says they won't though. Knights in 5.


#2 St. Louis Scarecrows v. #7 Halifax Raiders
Goals For: 157 (1), 135 (5)
Goals Against: 151 (10), 144 (8)
Last 10: 5-5-0 (4), 4-5-1 (7)
Powerplay%: 20.81 (3), 15.73 (8)
Penalty Kill%: 76.47 (10), 83.33 (3)

The last 10 games sums up the Scarecrows perfectly. Possessing the scariest offense and the worst defense in the league (goals wise) they cruised in to the post season with a 5-5 record. If their offense continues to buoy their horrendous defense it's a safe bet to say the number two seeded Scarecrows will make short work of the underdog Halifax Raiders, but if the well dries up this could be anyone's series. At the other end of the rink the Raiders have had their fair share of misfortune as well, bottoming out at one point with a nasty 10 (12?) game losing streak. They made some bold moves at the deadline and snuck out a game 7 win against the last place Colorado Raptors in the wild card series so things are looking up as of late, but they'll have their hands full against the high flying St. Louis offense. Scarecrows in 6.


#3 Anaheim Outlaws v. #6 Montreal Militia
Goals For: 133 (6), 137 (4)
Goals Against: 142 (7), 136 (5)
Last 10: 3-7-0 (10), 7-1-2 (2)
Powerplay%: 19.89 (4), 16.57 (7)
Penalty Kill%: 81.40 (5), 85.56 (1)

Give credit where credit is due, the Outlaws exceeded expectations and came up clutch when called upon. Their stats aren't as polished as the other top teams, and their record in their last 10 games is abyssal, but they secured the number three seed and now have a date with the Montreal Militia, a team they favored very well against in the regular season. Through 5 games they posted a 4-1 record, their best head to head win percentage of the season (80%). Don't sleep on Montreal though. They have the superior offense, defense and special teams and enter these playoffs with one of the hottest records over the last 10 games. I anticipate this to be the tightest series of this round, with the Militia eking out a game 7 win to move on.


#4 Anchorage Armada v. #5 Lethbridge Lions
Goals For: 146 (3), 125 (9)
Goals Against: 134 (4), 121 (1)
Last 10: 6-3-1 (3), 5-5-0 (5)
Powerplay%: 21.20 (2), 14.71 (10)
Penalty Kill%: 80.25 (7), 78.80 (9)

Outside of perhaps the top seeded Kelowna Knights no team is as well rounded as the Armada. With a healthy goal total and solid goal suppression in their end they are one of the toughest teams to beat on any given night. Toss in one of the most successful powerplays and this team will make you pay if you make a mistake. 6-3-1 in their last 10 they also enter the post-season on a strong note and will be a tough matchup for the visiting Lions. Despite finishing the regular season with identical records I personally feel the Armada are the vastly superior team. The Lions though are an extremely interesting case, and if Patrice Nadeau can continue his out-of-this-world play between the pipes anything is possible. They'll need to improve on their special teams though, and quick, if they hope to make a deep run in this post-season, because bottom two ranked in both categories is a recipe for disaster. I'm going to go with consistency and say Anchorage Armada win in 6.