Go Ams Go

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

I am hoping big time you guys beat Spokane and we beat Calgary. After last nights game, it looks pretty good for us beating the Hitmen. An Americans/Hurricanes WHL final would be a PR guys dream in Lethbridge. Our former fan favorite, Yellowhorn playing the Canes in the Dub final. What more could anyone ask for. If it happens, you will see a lot of Canes fans visiting your fair cities. yeehoo

[DOF]

Would like to make it out to Lethbridge as well if the cards fall right. Tough to get a ticket for the games over there though. The Toyota Center is going to be Electric tonight, I would say it will be close to an NHL playoff type feel to it and I have been to NHL playoff games and there is nothing like it. GO AMS GO!!!!!

[hurricaneflag7]

I must say it would be an awsome series....and even more awsome to play against yellowhorn.....hope it turns out that way.....LETS GO HURRICANES!!!!!! punk rock

[Ams4life]

Canes 6 Hitman 0!!! Well it looks like you guys will be wrapping up the series soon but we have A LOT of work left on our hands! Have you guys been keeping tabs on these games?? Completely amazing!

[Bocephus]

Canes 6 Hitman 0!!! Well it looks like you guys will be wrapping up the series soon but we have A LOT of work left on our hands! Have you guys been keeping tabs on these games?? Completely amazing!
I have been keeping tabs.
Please, continue to play overtime and beat the hell outta each other. Boogaard'd

[Ams4life]

Hey now, well thats the way that it looks like it will be. These two teams are so evenly matched ive never seen anything like it! They are almost identical in everything right down to play style.

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

I have been keeping tabs.
Please, continue to play overtime and beat the hell outta each other. Boogaard'd
Ya what's this scoring only seconds into the first O/T. You need to go to double O/T every game.

[JBurnham@gmail.com]

Bashing Yellow's old team in the WHL finals would be awesome. Teach ya a lesson for letting him get away!

[LinkGaetzFan]

I'd be hard pressed to believe the winner of the Ams/Chiefs losing to Lethbridge. But hey, these players are young, anything can happen, which is why this league is so fun to watch!

[kaniksu]

I'd be hard pressed to believe the winner of the Ams/Chiefs losing to Lethbridge. But hey, these players are young, anything can happen, which is why this league is so fun to watch!

Ya... careful... Don't jinx either team yet. :) Lethbridge appears to be rolling right through Calgary so who knows.

[dondo]

yeah the 'canes got the sweep tonight. Calgary couldn't play team defense at all really and their goaltending was sub-par. They were frequently caught flat-footed and did not skate as hard or as well as they did in their series versus the Broncos

On the other side Metsola was very solid between the pipes and the Hurricanes were getting solid shifts from throughout their line-up. canes play a similar game to both the Ams and the Chiefs and it could be a huge battle depnding upon who comes out of the West

A couple of wildcards would be the layoff that the 'canes have between series and the fact that they have yet to face a team like they will experience coming out the West. Michael Dyck ('canes Head Coach) was an assistant under Don Hay and he learned his lessons well. the 'Canes are a responsible team who aren't afraid to put their offense into top gear. They are getting some amazing contributions from young players right now as well.

So far in the East - the 'Canes have shut down mostly high-flying offense first teams.. not sure how they'll fare against gritty tight checking squads who have a defense first mentality, but can up the offensive game with blazing speed and a timely turnover.

The Chiefs are an incredibly deep team that can play pretty much any style they are faced with. They are disciplined and have the horses to up their game. Tokarski was second only to Sexsmith this season and other than that gaffe for the game four OT winner is rock solid and tough to crack.

Don't know enough about the Ams to really analyze their game, but Chet Pickard gives them a chance to win every night and they have some highly talented players throughout their line-up. Their ability to play tight checking hockey in this series has surprised me somewhat.

[TriFan2005]

the ams can play almost any style of hockey.... sure high scoring open ice skating is the preference but the boys cant bang 'em up with anyone.

man this series is expensive on the drinks lol.... i can't hardly watch the games sober... too intense for me

[Ams4life]

We lost to Lethbridge earlier in the year but I would have to say that really doesn't mean anything! Oh wait I think that we should worry about getting past this round first! The Chiefs would topple the canes and so would the Americans! They have no idea what kind of power the Chiefs or the Americans have offense or deffense both teams are great!

[aaAlta]

You're right about just getting thru this round first, a real battle. But as far as either Spokane or Tri beating the Canes go, I'd not be too hasty. Unless you are just trying to get the power of positive thinking in play.

I think it could easily be much like this current Spoke/Tri series, a good matchup. All goaltenders playing well (with maybe a bit of a nod to the west teams on that front). Similar, effective D calibres (both steady D and skilled O elements). Forwards, as much as I respect all the western teams have to offer, I'd be tempted to give the nod to Canes on that front (they are deep and hot).

I think it would come down to if the west teams could seriously limit quality of Canes chances; and the west goalie coming up very big on the opportunities the Canes do jump on. Then if you get a couple thru Metsola, you've got a good battle on your hands.

[Ams4life]

Do you not realize that the Tri-city Americans had the most Goals For during the regular season (17 more than the canes) and the Chiefs scored the 3rd most in the WHL during the regular season. You sound like you are making the Canes out to be such a HUGE offenive weapon. You don't get much better than the Ams or Chiefs as for that matter. Then if you want to talk about the deffense game then you have Chiefs with the second least amount of goals scored against them and the Americans with the 5th least amount ogf goals against. Lethbridge may be good but then didn't battle the quality of teams either the Americans or chief's did all year long. The WEST will win the WHL Championship even if the canes are playing great hockey.

[JBurnham@gmail.com]

The WEST will win the WHL Championship even if the canes are playing great hockey.
So they don't even have to play the games right? Cause you say so? You NEVER know, until the game is PLAYED. I'm an AMs fan, so I hope we kick their ass. And if it is Spokane who moves on, I hope Spokane kicks their ass. But until the game is played, we don't know.

[Ams2Fan]

The WEST will win the WHL Championship even if the canes are playing great hockey.

Yeesh. I wish I had that kind of confidence!

[Ams4life]

GOT TO KEEP IT POSITIVE!!!!!!!! Look at how good each of our teams are though. I think that it would be very surprising for them to lose to the east

[aaAlta]

I'm with you Ams4life, we'll keep it positive. But I know enough about Canes to say I think that would be a total matchup for either west team. I'd be surprised if it wasnt a battle much like we're seeing here right now between Spoke and Tri. I could break that down to man to man detail, but in the meantime trust me, they'll be a handful for either west team. I hope we prevail too, but I'd be hard pressed to give you more than even money on that right now.

[LHF]

Do you not realize that the Tri-city Americans had the most Goals For during the regular season (17 more than the canes) and the Chiefs scored the 3rd most in the WHL during the regular season. You sound like you are making the Canes out to be such a HUGE offenive weapon. You don't get much better than the Ams or Chiefs as for that matter. Then if you want to talk about the deffense game then you have Chiefs with the second least amount of goals scored against them and the Americans with the 5th least amount ogf goals against. Lethbridge may be good but then didn't battle the quality of teams either the Americans or chief's did all year long. The WEST will win the WHL Championship even if the canes are playing great hockey.

You just keep telling yourself that!!! :thumb: :laugh:

I find it really funny that some of you guys in the west refuse to accept the fact the east is just as strong as the west. Only 11 pts separated 1st from 8th in the east, and I think it was over 50pts separating the playoff teams in the west. Oh well, it's been said many times before and you still can't see it. Boogaard'd

I'm not for a minute saying the team that wins the west won't beat the Canes, but the fact that you probably haven't seen the Canes once this year, you probably shouldn't jump to any conclusions either. Which is why the games are played.

Go Canes

clrkth

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

We lost to Lethbridge earlier in the year but I would have to say that really doesn't mean anything! Oh wait I think that we should worry about getting past this round first! The Chiefs would topple the canes and so would the Americans! They have no idea what kind of power the Chiefs or the Americans have offense or deffense both teams are great!
I'm not gonna say the Canes are gonna win because no body knows. Too many variables from injuries to our 10 day wait for one of you. But a lot of you on here seem certain we are gonna get killed by either Tri or Spokane. Must be nice to know you are that much better than us. We did not finish that far behind you in the standings after a very slow start. (4-7-1) I think we also had the tougher schedule with 8 very good teams in the East. We just crushed two of the best teams in the dub and have won 8 straight games. Winning 8 straight anytime in a season is tuff to do, but to do it in the playoffs against high quality teams is amazing. Let's see. We only played each one of you once but hey, we won both those games. Shutout Tri-City to boot and had Spokane shut out till very late in the game. Also your next best team, Seattle we only beat 3-2 but pounded them, outshooting them 40 to 19. But none of that matters I guess so we should just give you the title and start golfing.
Don't understimate the CANES. Right now they are team on a mission and can play any style you want. Tight defense or scoring 5 or 6, take your pick!

[Bocephus]

I read a few comments back that the Ams and Chiefs played a tougher schedule? Really?
According to the Massey Ratings the Canes had the 2nd most difficult schedule/competition. http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=whl
That was at the end of the regular season.
Just keep on undersestimating us. We thrive on it.
Eliminate our bad start and our winning percentage is up there with the Ams and Chiefs. That says all we need to know.
We also have been playing playoff style hockey most of the year. We figured it out months ago. It is second nature. Sacrifice, patience, and desire.
cheers

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

Do you not realize that the Tri-city Americans had the most Goals For during the regular season (17 more than the canes) and the Chiefs scored the 3rd most in the WHL during the regular season. You sound like you are making the Canes out to be such a HUGE offenive weapon. You don't get much better than the Ams or Chiefs as for that matter. Then if you want to talk about the deffense game then you have Chiefs with the second least amount of goals scored against them and the Americans with the 5th least amount ogf goals against. Lethbridge may be good but then didn't battle the quality of teams either the Americans or chief's did all year long. The WEST will win the WHL Championship even if the canes are playing great hockey.

Just how many of those goals were against Portland and how few did Portland score. You are throwing out statistics that are mostly irellevent as the teams play such different schedules. Your one point "about the quality of opponents being so much higher for you guys" makes me believe you are not very knowledgeable about the league. I think most anyone who knows the league overall would say the Canes had the tougher schedule. The 8th place team in the East Conference finished just a couple points out of 4th in your conference.

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

One more for ya Ams4life..............You finished higher in the standings for the full year but if my other posts don't convince you we are an opponent to be recconed with maybe this will. I said earlier we had a slow start but since that start, here is what the 3 teams have done:

Tri-City 84 points
Spokane 83 points
Canes 83 points

Basically dead even the last 58 games and agian, I think we had tuffer opponents.

[Ams2Fan]

PLEASE don't assume that one poster speaks for all of us, or even the majority! He/She is entitled to their opinion and I do understand the "positive thinking" aspect, but there is also a happy medium called reality. :)

Personally I don't underestimate any team (and I know MANY others feels the same way - both Chiefs and Ams fans). I was one of the naysayers that didn't even think the Ams would make a deep playoff run. Not that I don't believe in my team, I just wasn't sure they had the experience to do it. They are a very young team.

Whoever ends up taking on the Canes will obviously have their hands full. I have complete respect for what you have accomplished so far. If you end up taking on the Chiefs then GO CANES! But I hope it will be my Ams and I hope they will come out on top. ;)

[Stay-Puft]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, THIS IS THE PLAYOFFS! Regular season doesn't matter, who you've played in your conference doesn't matter, who had the hardest schedule doesn't matter, who's team gave up or scored more in the 3rd period on Friday in the mountain time zone during the month of January (sorry, made that one up) but I hope you get my point. Both teams played who was on their schedule and when they were supposed to. Done, end of story.

I will say this though. The winner of the AMS-CHIEFS will be one beat-up team and if they go any more OTs, one tired team while Lethbridge will be well rested and healed. As I see it, you have 2 theories in play. Lethbridge will be well rested and are currently playing well so they should be sharpest against a team that has had a tough series. The other being the AMS-CHIEFS winner have been playing and will have little rust when the series starts, while nothing stops winning or losing streaks as much as time off (like rain delays/postponements in baseball). How many times have you had teams that are hot going into Christmans break that come back flat for a little bit. I, for one, think the Championship series, no matter who faces Lethbridge, will be a good one, but guess what this one has to be finished first. Go AMS (hopefully in 2).

On a side note, I think some of you need to step back and breathe into a paper bag. There's nothing more annoying than useless statistics (see above or baseball stats).

[LHF]

PLEASE don't assume that one poster speaks for all of us, or even the majority! He/She is entitled to their opinion and I do understand the "positive thinking" aspect, but there is also a happy medium called reality. :)


Not at all Ams2Fan, my post was directed at Ams4life. But I've heard it said quite alot this year from fans in the west, that the east is weak. And nothing could be further from the truth.

But hey, if this guy want's to go on believing it, then it will be that much more fun if the Canes come out on top. :laugh:

If the west wins, I will be the first to... vci22

[aaAlta]

Yes, its only one fan here feeling cocky, or just trying to be pure positive. Everybody else I've heard from feels that however this shakes out it should be a really good matchup on all fronts.

[Bocephus]

I predict that whoever represents the dub in Kitchener will have a blue, white, and red jersey. ;)

[Ams4life]

Being so deffensive makes me wonder how confident you really are in you canes...Just don't get too cocky because both of the teams that you might face has so much depth and can hurt you so many different ways. I am in NO way saying that your guys don't have a good team but I am thinking that you haven't watched Tri or Spoke play like they have been the last 4 weeks. Congrats you swept Calgary! We didn't lose to them at all this year either. Good Luck

[LHF]

This is too funny, your quotes Ams4life:

"The Chiefs would topple the canes and so would the Americans! They have no idea what kind of power the Chiefs or the Americans have offense or deffense both teams are great!"

"The WEST will win the WHL Championship even if the canes are playing great hockey."

"Look at how good each of our teams are though. I think that it would be very surprising for them to lose to the east."



:laugh: And you are telling us not to be cocky... haha A question for you, how many times have you seen the Canes play in the playoffs?

One thing you should know about the Canes is that they are not cocky or boastful. But they have a system and believe in it. As for us fans we are quietly confident in our team, and we believe in them.

Forgot to mention, good luck tonight. I predict a double ot game, with both teams beating each other up pretty bad. Oh, and it doesn't really matter who wins.

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

On the other side Metsola was very solid between the pipes and the Hurricanes were getting solid shifts from throughout their line-up. canes play a similar game to both the Ams and the Chiefs and it could be a huge battle depnding upon who comes out of the West

.

Interesting note no one has mentioned yet but you say solid shifts throughout our line-up. The amazing thing is we won game 4 with little or no help from our #1 line. First time this year but Dyck "actually benched" Fadden/Boychuk for the last 8 minutes of the second and they did not get thier usual amount if ice time in the third.

[Rebelchild]

No matter who plays the Canes - Spoke or Tri - they are going to be bringing it and we expect that the Cans will be doing their own bringing.

I honestly do not keep track of the eastern teams but if the Memorial Cup turns out to be anything like the Western Confernce playoffs have been there is still a great deal of really good hockey left to play.

And Bocephus is right - Red, White and Blue baby! :groovy: Let the games continue.

[LinkGaetzFan]

I honestly do not keep track of the eastern teams but if the Memorial Cup turns out to be anything like the Western Confernce playoffs have been there is still a great deal of really good hockey left to play.


Do you mean WHL championship? The Memorial Cup is where the winner of that series goes.

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

Not sayin anything, but here are the season numbers in Canes vs. US Division teams.

Canes...........5 wins
US Div..........0 wins

Canes Goals for..........14
Canes Goals against.....6

Six goals against in 5 games!!

[LinkGaetzFan]

Not sayin anything, but here are the season numbers in Canes vs. US Division teams.

Canes...........5 wins
US Div..........0 wins

Canes Goals for..........14
Canes Goals against.....6

Six goals against in 5 games!!

I can't say I really understand the point of this back-and-forth but I'll jump in.

Let's see... Lethbridge beat Portland (by 1), Everett (by 3), Seattle (by 1), Spokane (by 1), Tri (by 2). Don't forget you had home ice each game, so each US team was in the midst of an Eastern swing. These facts make your "5-0" boast pretty weak IMO.

Let's face it, the Cane's are hot and both Tri and Spokane have great teams. Either way it will be a good series, and may the winner absolutely crush the OHL & QMJHL teams.

[LifelongChiefsFan]

I can't say I really understand the point of this back-and-forth but I'll jump in.

Let's see... Lethbridge beat Portland (by 1), Everett (by 3), Seattle (by 1), Spokane (by 1), Tri (by 2). Don't forget you had home ice each game, so each US team was in the midst of an Eastern swing. These facts make your "5-0" boast pretty weak IMO.

Let's face it, the Cane's are hot and both Tri and Spokane have great teams. Either way it will be a good series, and may the winner absolutely crush the OHL & QMJHL teams.


To further things, when the Chiefs played Lethbridge, it was their fifth game in six nights and they still only lost 2-1 while coming close to tying the game at the end. It was mentioned several times how tired the Chiefs looked during that game's broadcast.

I'm sure some of the other teams played under similar circumstances as Lethbridge seems to be the city that the teams go through on their way back to the States. Anyway my points is, a sample size of 1 is not a very good sample to go with. The fact that most of these teams were tired when they played the Canes makes this one game sample even worse.

I also want to make this clear I am in no way saying how a Chiefs/Ams vs Hurricanes series is going to turn out. Just saying the regular season sample is a poor indication of how things are actually going to play out. No matter which team plays the Canes it should be a good series.

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

I can't say I really understand the point of this back-and-forth but I'll jump in.

.

The point of it is just to keep discussions going and to have a little fun. Most conversations do go back and forth, unless you are talking to yourself......lol.
I don't have any idea how it will turn out either. Just tired of those that say the Canes are gonna get smoked. Brandon, Kootenay and Calgary fans thought that way to. Just wondering what it will take for the Canes to get the respect they deserve, that's all. The playoffs are a whole new season and a hot goalie, one or 2 mistakes, an injury or whatever can turn the whole series.
I also hope the WHL rep, whoever it is, smokes in the Mem Cup. Gonna be tuff as Kitchener is a damned good team and of course have home ice. Belleville is also very good and some in the East think they are better than Kitchener. They each were first in thier divisions in the regular season and like the WHL, Kitchener finished with more points than Belleville, but may have had an easier regular season schedule. I hope they beat each other up and go 7 long games in the OHL and QMJHL finals. I don't know much about the QMJHL teams but one of them is 12-0 in the playoffs so are probably pretty good.

[dondo]

The beauty of the dub - both conferences - is the league's parity. With the exception of Portland this season the majority of the teams had a good chance to take away the win on any given night. I don't see that same kind of parity in the O or the Q..

It appears to me that there are maybe four or five teams in each of the league's who dominate, more-often that not off the back of a ridiculous player loan "trade" where the top high power players go to a team for a season and then revert to their old team or the picks are swapped back or some-such.

I rarely see a trade in the dub which doesn't either give the teams what they are lacking, some future potential or some bonus for both squads. I mean really the Belleville Bulls eliminate their third round opponent 4-1 with the final game being a 11-0 blow-out? This is parity? the Rangers also eliminated their opponent 4-1 in the third round.

Then there were the two teams who came from the O and the Q last season here (Vancouver) for the Memorial Cup. I thought their level of skill was embarrassing and the Maniacs were riding a hot goalie and the Plymouth Whalers were just the biggest players on a team in the O and ran roughshod over their opponent's, but got hammered here when they faced the dub teams.

Its also a small wonder that the majority of players coming from an individual league who are drafted in to the NHL, have been drafted from the dub. Just heard that stat and although I wasn't too surprised it made me realize the level of skilled multi-dimensional players we all watch are the best in the world and it all comes down to Ed Chynoweth's dream of a competitive league and league parity.

[Bocephus]

Are you kidding me?
They are going into OT again?
5th time in 6 games! Unreal!
Beat the hell outta each other, haha.

[Bocephus]

Bring on game 7.
WOW
That Americans radio announcer is hilarious. He just yelped when they scored.

[DOF]

This Series is the best I have ever been involved with in person or on TV and I have been watching hockey for over 25 years. INSANE!!!!! Not for the faint of heart and we will get one more dose on Tuesday, GO AMS GO!!!!!!

[HURRICANE'S ROCK]

It appears to me that there are maybe four or five teams in each of the league's who dominate, more-often that not off the back of a ridiculous player loan "trade" where the top high power players go to a team for a season and then revert to their old team or the picks are swapped back or some-such.
.

The QMJHL used to be really bad for this. They were tired of doing so poorly for a number of years in the Mem Cup so made ridiculously lopsided trades to load up one team. I don't know if it as bad any more as did not follow thier trades this year.