PDA

View Full Version : Playoff outlook



Tipped Off
03-01-2005, 03:05 PM
From WHL.CA

Just three weeks remain in the 2004-05 Western Hockey League regular season and there is still plenty left to be decided as the playoffs approach. Here's a look around the league as teams vie for playoff spots and positioning.

EAST DIVISION - The Brandon Wheat Kings, Saskatoon Blades and Prince Albert Raiders have already clinched playoff spots in the East division, leaving Regina and Moose Jaw to battle for the fourth and final spot in the 2005 post-season.

After spending the bulk of the season in fifth place in the division, the Warriors managed to push past Regina last weekend and currently hold a four-point lead over the Pats for fourth in the East.

The Raiders are assured to finish third in the division as they trail second-placed Saskatoon by 19 points and hold a 24-point lead over Moose Jaw.

First place in the East division is still up for grabs. The Wheat Kings, winners of 11 straight contests, currently hold a two-point edge over the Saskatoon Blades with the teams meeting up for a crucial home-and-home series this week.

CENTRAL DIVISION - The Swift Current Broncos are the league's only team officially out of the playoff race. The Broncos were eliminated this weekend as Red Deer clinched the fourth and final post-season spot in the division, meaning they won't see playoff action for the first time in 32 seasons.

First place in the Central division is still up for grabs as only 11 points separates division-leading Lethbridge from fourth-places Red Deer. Much could be decided this week with Medicine Hat set to face Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge.

The Hitmen have the toughest schedule in March with all seven of their remaining games against teams that are well above .500.

B.C. DIVISION - The Vancouver Giants officially clinched a playoff berth this weekend, leaving Prince George and Kamloops to battle for the fourth and final post-season spot in the division. The Blazers currently have a six-point lead over the Cougars with both teams having eight games remaining.

The Giants are all but resigned to third spot in the B.C. division as they have an 11-point lead over Kamloops, but trail second-placed Kootenay by 23 points.

Kootenay, meanwhile, will battle it out with Kelowna for first in the division and first overall. Kelowna currently leads Kootenay by one point with both teams having eight games remaining.

U.S. DIVISION - The Seattle Thunderbirds appear to be back on track after struggling through much of February. The T-Birds are 3-0-1-1 in their last five games, helping them build a 12-point cushion atop the U.S. division. Barring another collapse, the T-Birds, the only team that has clinched a playoff berth in the division so far, will likely head into the playoffs as division champions.

Second place is still up for grabs in the U.S. division. Everett currently holds a three-point lead over Portland, with the Winter Hawks having a game in hand over the 'Tips.

The battle for fourth in the division will likely go down to the wire as Tri-Cities currently leads Spokane by one point in the race for the final playoff spot. However, Spokane has one game in hand on the Ams. Spokane has three road games this week, with one in Kelowna and two in Prince George. Meantime, the Americans host Kamloops then pay a visit to the Winter Hawks later in the week.

The_Vulk
03-01-2005, 05:57 PM
CENTRAL DIVISION - ...

First place in the Central division is still up for grabs as only 11 points separates division-leading Lethbridge from fourth-places Red Deer. Much could be decided this week with Medicine Hat set to face Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge.
Yes. The Central has become a very tight division in recent years. Making each and every game important, especially those within its own division.

It sure makes for some great hockey.