In the first 18 seasons of the Western Canadian Hockey League there has only been one Canadian team to win a WCHL Cup. That was the Calgary Flames, who captured a league title in Season 11.

For the most part though its been more famine than feast for Canadian clubs in the WCHL, who are handicapped already by only having seven of the 30 clubs. When you factor in that four of the seven didn't even making the playoffs this year, it looked like pretty strong odds that it'd be another Cupless season in Canada.

In what has been a very odd season however the hockey gods had a different story in mind however. The Edmonton Oilers cruised through the playoffs, posting a 12-4 record along the way while the Ottawa Senators had to battle a bit harder but still advanced to the finals on the strength of a 12-6 record.

What all of that means is Canada is guaranteed to see it's second WCHL Cup parade in the first ever all all-Canada match-up. All that's left to answer is if the cup will return to Alberta or for the first time ever be awarded outside of the second-most Westerly province.

(2) Ottawa Senators vs. (1) Edmonton Oilers- While the Oilers did win the West the Senators actually had the better seeding and it gives them home ice advantage in the finals. The question is will it matter?

Maybe. The Sens are 6-4 on home ice but are better on the road, going 6-2. For Edmonton meanwhile they are 6-1 on the road and have been pretty dominate in the process, outscoring the home team 20-9 in those games, including two shutouts. Ottawa may be better off to just hope for a home split and take their chances on the road. The Oilers are only 6-3 at home, meaning this could be a series about who doesn't screw up on home ice, the opposite of what usually matters at this time of the year.

Ottawa will be led by Robin Lehner. The young netminder has posted a .932 save percentage and a meager 1.69 goals against average as he has looked like a young Patrick Roy more than an average 23-year-old. Offensively the charge will be handled by Corey Perry, who leads the club with eight goals and 14 points.

The Oilers will be countering with Ilya Bryzgalov. The ignematic netminder has reserructed his career and looks like his old-self from his Colorado Avalanche days where he picked up two WCHL Cups. Sitting with a .941 save percentage and a 1.61 goals against average, Bryzgalov has been a Conn Smythe candidate all post-season and one more good series could cement that status. The clubs offense is being backed by the usual duo for the Oilers; Brad Richards and Jason Pominville. The long-time pairing for the Oilers has potted 13 goals and 39 points so far these playoffs.

Prediction: Edmonton has been on cruise control all season and have barely faced a test they haven't been able to handle. The Senators have been pretty smooth so far but each series has been a battle in one form or another. This one could be the series that makes it to tough a task to win. Edmonton in six games.

(2) Toronto Marlies vs. (4) Hershey Bears - Hershey in six games.