www.BCSportsBeat.ca
04-06-2007, 10:28 AM
With the Cougars having dominated Kamloops they not get to face the Everett Silvertips, who defeated Spokane. Everett won the regular season series between these two teams 3-1, however, one game was decided by shootout, and another in overtime. So they have had some close battles. Everett only slightly outscored Prince George 14-12 in the four games.
GOALTENDING
The Silvertips have one of the best inbetween the pipes in Leland Irving. Irving is currently ranked 3rd in playoff goaltenders with a 2.07 goals against average after appearing in all six first round games. Having posted his 2nd straight 30+ win season (34 – 2nd in WHL) and finished 2nd in the WHL in goals against average (1.86) and posting a league best .929 save percentage there is no question about the quality of goaltending in Everett.
Prince George has gone with Real Cyr for the playoffs and he performed very well in their sweep of the Kamloops Blazers. Cyr has posted a 2.68 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. He is currently the only undefeated goaltender left in the playoffs.
Advantage: Everett
OFFENSE
Everett is being led by none other than Peter Mueller who has posted 9 points in 6 games (3-6). However its nice to see that Moises Gutierrez, who is coming off a career final WHL season, has posted 2 goals and 4 helpers so far as well. Players to keep your eyes on are Zach Hamill and Kyle Beach who will certainly be a big factor of the Silvertips offense for the remainder of the playoffs. Hamill finished the regular season as the WHL point leader posting a career best 93 points (32-61).
Even though Prince George did not finish the regular season with any dominant scorers on their roster they are having no trouble generating offence during the playoffs this year. Devin Setoguchi is leading the team with 7 points (5-2) in the four games played thus far. Jared Walker has provided an offensive touch as well for the Cougars posting 6 points (3-3) to help propel his team to the second round. Keep an eye on Eric Hunter and Dana Tyrell to be involved in the second round.
Advantage: Everett
DEFENSE
Everett’s Jason Fransoo has kept up his pace from a breakout regular season and posted 4 assists in the first round as well as a +5 rating. Other then a few assists here and there, and some solid +/- ratings the Silvertip’s defensemen have been focusing primarily on defence.
Ty Wishart has lived up to the hype and is leading the Cougar defense with six assists credited to him and a solid +4 rating. However, the rest of the Cougar defense has been very quiet offensively in the first round, and seem to be leaving most of the point generating up to the forwards only.
Advantage: Prince George
PREDICTION:
Both clubs are being led by 8th overall draft picks (Setoguchi-2005, Mueller-2006) and will look to make a solid effort at keeping their playoff hopes alive.
However the Silvertips have some serious offensive talent and a goalie that has earned a reputation for being nothing short of solid all season long. It will be a relatively tight series.
Everett in 6.
Written by: Cam Martin
If the Cougars play like they did in the Kamloops series this one will easily go to six, perhaps even in their favour.
GOALTENDING
The Silvertips have one of the best inbetween the pipes in Leland Irving. Irving is currently ranked 3rd in playoff goaltenders with a 2.07 goals against average after appearing in all six first round games. Having posted his 2nd straight 30+ win season (34 – 2nd in WHL) and finished 2nd in the WHL in goals against average (1.86) and posting a league best .929 save percentage there is no question about the quality of goaltending in Everett.
Prince George has gone with Real Cyr for the playoffs and he performed very well in their sweep of the Kamloops Blazers. Cyr has posted a 2.68 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. He is currently the only undefeated goaltender left in the playoffs.
Advantage: Everett
OFFENSE
Everett is being led by none other than Peter Mueller who has posted 9 points in 6 games (3-6). However its nice to see that Moises Gutierrez, who is coming off a career final WHL season, has posted 2 goals and 4 helpers so far as well. Players to keep your eyes on are Zach Hamill and Kyle Beach who will certainly be a big factor of the Silvertips offense for the remainder of the playoffs. Hamill finished the regular season as the WHL point leader posting a career best 93 points (32-61).
Even though Prince George did not finish the regular season with any dominant scorers on their roster they are having no trouble generating offence during the playoffs this year. Devin Setoguchi is leading the team with 7 points (5-2) in the four games played thus far. Jared Walker has provided an offensive touch as well for the Cougars posting 6 points (3-3) to help propel his team to the second round. Keep an eye on Eric Hunter and Dana Tyrell to be involved in the second round.
Advantage: Everett
DEFENSE
Everett’s Jason Fransoo has kept up his pace from a breakout regular season and posted 4 assists in the first round as well as a +5 rating. Other then a few assists here and there, and some solid +/- ratings the Silvertip’s defensemen have been focusing primarily on defence.
Ty Wishart has lived up to the hype and is leading the Cougar defense with six assists credited to him and a solid +4 rating. However, the rest of the Cougar defense has been very quiet offensively in the first round, and seem to be leaving most of the point generating up to the forwards only.
Advantage: Prince George
PREDICTION:
Both clubs are being led by 8th overall draft picks (Setoguchi-2005, Mueller-2006) and will look to make a solid effort at keeping their playoff hopes alive.
However the Silvertips have some serious offensive talent and a goalie that has earned a reputation for being nothing short of solid all season long. It will be a relatively tight series.
Everett in 6.
Written by: Cam Martin
If the Cougars play like they did in the Kamloops series this one will easily go to six, perhaps even in their favour.