The Conference Finals are here! Round 1 saw a few upsets and close series. Let's recap Round 2 and preview Round 3.

Round 2 Recap

#3 Carolina Kraken vs. #10 San Diego Tidal
Prediction: Carolina 4-1 San Diego
Outcome: Carolina 4-2 San Diego
Game 1: 4-1
Game 2: 1-2
Game 3: 2-7
Game 4: 2-6
Game 5: 4-5
Game 6: 3-4 (OT)

The Kraken split the first two home games, before winning each road game of the series. The defensive powerhouse Kraken relied on high scoring more than their trademark blue line play this series, winning Games 3 and 4 by five and four goals respectively. Carolina picked up an overtime win in game 6 to seal the series.

San Diego pushed hard for a 10-seed, and showed a lot of heart and determination in the first two rounds. The Tidal are showing promise after being in a rebuild for a few seasons. They only lose one capped player, Felix Carlsson, who is retiring instead of stepping into the SHL. The Tidal field a strong returning group from the S79 draft class, and have a crop of S80 players who will move up in the TPE cap, so look for San Diego to be much stronger next season.

#5 Maine Timber vs. #6 Ottawa Highlanders
Prediction: Maine 4-2 Ottawa
Outcome: Maine 4-2 Ottawa
Game 1: 3-2
Game 2: 5-1
Game 3: 3-0
Game 4: 6-5
Game 5: 5-1  
Game 6 3-1  

The Timbers have been sneaky all year, but showed their strengths this series, despite dropping two games to Ottawa. Maine held the Highlanders to 1 goal in Games 5 and 6 after dropping two road games in a row, allowing them to close out the series. Maine saw big performances from Valtteri Pulkkinen, but spread the offense across the team with consistent performances. The Timber face Anchorage Armada in the Conference Finals.

Ottawa lose two capped players to the SHL next season, including their high scoring winger Spaceman Spiff. Third year prospect Hotdog Lunch will move into the primary role on the team as he moves into his fourth year.

#1 Quebec City Citadelles vs. #7 Kelowna Knights
Prediction: Quebec City 4-2 Kelowna
Outcome Quebec City 4-0 Kelowna
Game 1: 9-8 (OT)
Game 2: 6-2
Game 3: 0-7 : 
Game 4: 5-6 : (OT)

Quebec City showed why teams should be scared of them. With only one loss in the first two series, the Citadelles have to be feeling confident heading into the Conference Finals. The reigning champions easily handled a quality Kelowna team who had come into the series with some confidence. The Knights hung in a high scoring Game 1 and pushed Game 4 to overtime, but Games 2 and 3 set the tone for the series with dominant Quebec City wins.

The performance of the series had to come from the fourth-year winger Randolph Thompson-Smythe, who capped off the night with five goals and one assist. Regular season star Cristoforo Roccamontepiano had 12 points across the four games, retaking the lead for points in the playoffs. Quebec City goalie Ela Solberg continues a dominant run of play with a SV% hovering around .918 for the entire playoffs. The Citadelles will play Anchorage in the Conference Finals.

#2 Newfoundland Berserkers vs. #4 Anchorage Armada
Prediction: Newfoundland 4-3 Anchorage
Outcome: Anchorage 4-0 Newfoundland
Game 1: 1-3  
Game 2: 4-6  
Game 3: 5-2
Game 4: 4-2
This is the most surprising outcome, as you can see from the wildly inaccurate prediction. Newfoundland had a great performance, good for number 2 seed in the Northern Conference. Anchorage was anchored by Elaina Beneski, who scored a goal in each of the four games. Newfoundland failed to get momentum after dropping the first two games at home, and were dominated by Anchorage in Games 3 and 4. Anchorage face Quebec City in the Conference Finals.

Newfoundland stands to lose a significant number of their top players to the SHL. Five players who have capped TPE will be hearing the call up, including high scorer Jett Labyrinth. They will retain stars Jason Bourne and Katharina Rosenthal for their fourth seasons.

Predictions
#1 Quebec City Citadelles vs #4 Anchorage Armada
Season Series: Quebec City 4-2 Anchorage
Prediction: Quebec City 4-1 Anchorage
So far, Anchorage has held their in both series, relying on strong defensive performances to control the game. Quebec City could be the team tofinally  break past that in the Conference Finals. Roccamontepiano and Thompson-Smythe are one of the hardest to stop duos in the SMJHL playoffs this year, and they look to continue that dominance despite the Armada icing three quality D lines. If the Armada can pull through it will have to be a full team effort. Anchorage undoubtedly has the skill, but Quebec City has shown it will take a lot to beat them in a 7-game series. I would imagine the game scores will be closer than the series tally would suggest, but ultimately look for Quebec City to pull away early at home, split the road games, and close in Game 5.

#3 Carolina Kraken vs, #5 Maine Timber
Season Series: Carolina 3-3 Maine
Prediction: Carolina 4-3 Maine
Carolina bring a defensive edge to their games which may be enough to stop Maine's high powered offense. The team has shown the ability to shut down, or at least contain even the highest scorers throughout the year. Kraken rookie goaltender Honza Havran is showing off this postseason, allowing only 2.05 GAA in ten games played, with a .910 SV%. Carolina showed flashes of offensive brilliance in Round 2, and if they can keep the momentum, a Kraken-Citadelles finals would provide an exciting Cup series. Maine should never be counted out, and if their stars can find cracks in the Kraken defense, this series could easily turn out in their favor. I expect the early series will be split, with the Timber keeping it close until the end of game 7.

Final Thoughts
As the season winds down, we have ended up with some great Round 3 matchups. Any of these teams would be a pleasure to watch in the finals, and any one player can swing the series, especially if a goalie manages to get hot. Carolina will not want to falter in the Conference Finals as they did last year. Quebec City brings serious momentum into the final week of the season. This could be an epic way to finish out Season 80.

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