Sens can't rattle Sabres

Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2014 by WCHL Hockey

Luongo pushes Buffalo to win with 31 saves

 
 


Buffalo Sabres (3) vs Ottawa Senators (1).........
The first Saturday night of Season 20 pits the Champion Senators against the Buffalo Sabres who missed out on the big dance in season 19. Both teams were playing their sixth game in seven nights, with the Sens riding a three game win streak.
The Sabres opened the scoring in this game at the 2:00 mark of the middle period as Tom Wandell(1st) scored on a deflection off a shot by Daniel Paille. The shots through two were 20-20.
In the third Paille(1st) scored to double Buffalo's lead on  assists from Wandell and Stephen Gionta at 6:38. The Sens got one back as Keith Yandle(2nd) hammered home a pass from Martin St.Louis, with the second assist going to Corey Perry at 15:08. With less than ninety seconds remaining in regulation Ryan Clowe(3rd) delivered the final blow as he would score on the powerplay at 18:32 to diminish any hope the Sens would have of a come back, and end Otawa's win streak. 
Marty Brodeur made 36 saves in the losss, while his counter-part at the other end stopped 31 shots to improve his record to 3-2. 
The Sabres are off until Monday when they host the Minnesota Wild (4-1-0-0-1). The Sens hope to get back on track on Monday as well as the travel to Columbus to face Jason Spezza and the (3-1-1-0-0-1) BlueJackets. 
MOLSON'S THREE STARS:
1 - Daniel Paille (Buf)........... 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 5 shots.
2 - Roberto Luongo (Buf)...... 31 saves 
3 - Tom Wandell (Buf)........... 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 2 shots

Reporting For The WCHL Network.......
Peter Puck

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It all comes down to this

Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 by WCHL Hockey

Oilers, Sens face off in first All-Canadian finals

 
 


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.

 
 


ACHL 

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

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WTF?

Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 by WCHL Hockey

A first time champion is guaranteed in wacky playoffs

 
 


Whoever predicted Ottawa, Columbus, Edmonton and Chicago would be in the final four of the WCHL playoffs had better have played the lottery. In a weird season where pre-season cup favorites like Colorado and Calgary didn't even make the playoffs, every round has claimed a likely candidate for the WCHL Cup.

Now as we enter round three, not only will there be an end to the two-time cup reign of the Anaheim Ducks, there will be a first time ever champion. All four clubs that are left standing have never won a cup title. Some have never even been this far into the playoffs.

What's in story for the four Cinderella's? Well there can only be one queen of this ball.

WCHL

Western Conference

(1) Edmonton Oilers vs. (6) Chicago Blackhawks- In this extremely inconsistent season, the one consistency has been the Oilers. All season long they have been one of the best squads in the league and they have only improved as the playoffs have gone along. Round one they lined up against the eighth seeded Arizona Coyotes and they stormed out to a 3-0 lead before winning in five games. Round two against the seventh seeded Dallas Stars, Edmonton won the first three games before winning in five games. Round three is against the sixth seeded Blackhawks. Is it going to deja vu all over again?

 
 


Chicago has been battling hard to even get a whiff of the playoffs for several years and now that they are here they have shown they didn't just fluke their way to the big tournament. The Hawks didn't have an easy mission either, doing what no team has done in over two seasons and 10 post-season series; defeating the two-time defending WCHL Cup champions in seven games after being down 3-2. 

Prediction: The Hawks have been as pesky as anyone but the Oilers have been on a big roll all season long. Don't expect Chicago to go away as easily as Dallas and Arizona, but don't expect them to win the series either. Edmonton in six games.

Eastern Conference

(2) Ottawa Senators vs. (6) Columbus Blue Jackets- The Senators may have finally shaken the burden of being a playoff worthy team that sits in the shadows of the elite of the Eastern Conference. Constantly in the post-season, Ottawa has rarely been in the talks of being a potential cup contender but this season that has changed in a hurry. Arguably the best team still alive, Ottawa not only is in the cup mix, they have the Las Vegas odds to win it all right now.

 
 


Columbus meanwhile slayed the giant New York Rangers, besting the Big Apple's finest in six games, allowing just six goals in the process. Having surrendered just 17 goals in 13 games, Columbus is going to be a tough nut to crack for Ottawa. Led by a top-heavy but talented defense that's backed by early Conn Smythe contender Semyon Varlamov, Columbus thrives on low-scoring games. In 13 games that Columbus has played this post-season, there have only been a combined total of 41 goals, just over three goals per game. Columbus is only averaging 1.80 goals per game themselves, so don't expect anyone to shoot out the lights.

Prediction: Ottawa will hold their own with the Blue Jackets but unless it strikes midnight soon the Blue Jackets ill continue to gut out the wins. Columbus in six games.

ACHL

Western Conference

(2) Toronto Marlies vs. (5) Hamilton Bulldogs- Hamilton in seven games.

Eastern Conference

(4) Hershey Bears vs. (7) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in six games.

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Preview - Ottawa vs. Washington

Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 by WCHL Hockey

 
 


Prime Ministerial Advantage - Ottawa not phased by US Capital

Despite winning the Atlantic Division with relative ease, the Ottawa Senators appear to be heading into this battle of North American capital cities as slight underdogs, as the vast majority fans and pundits alike are giving the Washington Capitals the slight edge. Unsurprisingly, however, pretty much nobody sees this series ending quickly; the two teams simply couldn't be more closely matched, and this is surely the tastiest of any second round tie in the WCHL. 

Ottawa dispatched of Eastern Conference surprise package Tampa Bay in a potential banana-skin first round tilt, scoring eleven goals and conceding only five in a short-lived five game series. Star man Corey Perry contributed with one goal and four points, and the defense was more than happy joining the attack throughout the series, as Hainsey, Spurgeon and Yandle each tallied three points. The key contributor to Ottawa's success vs the Lightning was rookie goaltender Robin Lehner; he picked up where he left off in the regular season (0.929, 1.93), defying his age with a stellar performance under the postseason lights (0.943, 1.11). Lehner is likely to be busier in the second round, but all signs point toward the Gothenburg native being up to the task.

Washington finished the regular season within touching distance of the formidable New York Rangers in the Metropolitan Division, but were handed a tricky first round matchup with the Montreal Canadiens for their efforts. Nonetheless, the deafening atmosphere at the Bell Centre didn't phase Bob Gainey's team; having split the first two games in DC, the Caps proceeded to outscore the Habs 8-3 in their own backyard, before sealing the deal in front of a raucous home crowd. Second-line centre Tyler Ennis led the team with five goals in the series as everything came together offensively for the Caps. Gainey knows that they'll need to carry that explosiveness into the second round if they plan on sending their northerly neighbours packing.

In the regular season, Paul MacLean's well drilled Senators led the WCHL in "goals for" (2.67), PP % (24.93), PK % (85.04), and ranked fourth in "goals against" (2.06). It comes as little surprise that Canada's capital city is set to stage second round postseason hockey  this season; some fans are even allowing themselves to dream of Stanley Cup glory under popular GM Noel Moxon. Special teams play at an elite level is paramount in this series, if Lehner and co intend on shutting out the likes of Ribiero, Eberle, Tarasenko, Burns and Havlat. 

Having said that, Washington wasn't overly impressive on the offensive front during the regular season, ranking 16th overall in "goals for" (2.38), and a lowly 28th in PP % (18.46). GM Taran Wasson will be hoping that its the offense he saw against Montreal that shows up for this one, and not the disjointed version that relied so heavily on keeping opponents from getting to its own net during the regular season. The Caps were very effective defensively throughout the year, ranking second overall in "shots against" (26.54), and second overall in "goals against" (1.96). Captain Chris Phillips is a key cog in the Capitals formula, and as long as his ever-reliable defensive colleagues show up to play alongside him, Washington has a good shot at nullifying the Sens' attacks.

THE VERDICT: Despite being very impressed by Washington's offensive exploits in the first round, we can't overlook their distinctly average offensive output during the regular season. It is also slightly concerning that Montreal managed to put twelve goals past Mike Smith in last week. To us, Ottawa is a more complete hockey team right now. The top line of Vermette-Michalek-Perry consists of three guys who each racked up over 70 points this season, and as long as they continue to get help from the likes of Saku Koivu, JVR and Mike Zibenajad, the Sens will keep rolling here. Just. OTTAWA IN SEVEN.

PLAYOFF POOL INDICATOR: WASHINGTON 8 - 6 OTTAWA

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Dallas vs. Edmonton in Round 2

by WCHL Hockey


 
 


Round 2 in the West

Most of the results from round one could have been predicted in the west, with the conference leading Oilers advancing, and the turn around Stars basting Minny. The Ducks series was a bit harrowing for some, but they pulled through, and as for Chicago, well they are the Cinderella story for the season 19 playoffs in the West. On to our review of the first matchup:

 

Dallas (7) Vs Edmonton (1)

Dallas has had a rough go of it for a few seasons now, add to that being left without a dedicated GM for quite some time, and you have to be impressed at their fortitude this year. Though they tapered off a bit at years end, it was enough to garner them a playoff spot, and a first round matchup against the Wild, who they dispensed with in a mighty quick 5 games. Now Dallas comes up against the Edmonton Oilers, Western conference leaders, and only 3 points out of top spot in the league. Its been an uphill climb for Dallas, and going into Edmonton to take on Pomminville and Richards should scare most teams.

Dallas has weapons, specifically Zack Parise and Brandon Dubinsky. The former being the chief playmaker with 9 assists, and the latter being tied for playoff goals with 6 in 5 games. Scoring hasn't been an issue for the Stars in the post season, with 17 goals in 5 games and 9 different contributers to the cause. The Achilles heel for Dallas may be the propensity for the sin bin, with more than 20 PM's per game, they are only surpassed by Columbus at present. The PK unit is getting the job done for the most part, humming along at 90%, but that was against a demonstrably poor Minny PP unit that stumbled all season. Now they face the best PP unit of the post season in Edmonton. On the blueline is where the stars really slack off. Giving up 34+ shots a game, mediocre checking and general slowness has caused Dallas to give up more shots per game than any other team save the Blues. That of course brings us around to Nabokov, who in the twilight of his career has found a cause he deems worthy to play for, and this his last chance to win a cup. Nabokov has been nothing short of god-like for the first 5 games of this playoff run. He leads in S% with .947, a number most teams will never see on their stats page, and he is hungry.

Forwards: C+ Lack of depth brings them down, though despite this, they do spread the scoring.

Defense: C+ Getting in on the scoring: great!, letting everything get past you: not so much

Goal: A+ A true artist, can he stave off the Oilers and their dream season?

Edmonton is an enigma to me. Much like Calgary or Nashville teams of years past, I cannot figure how what makes this team click so well. As previously stated, Pomminville and Richards are forces to be reckoned with for the Oilers, Pommy with 4-6-10 in 5 games, and Rick with 2-7-9 in the same.  Like the Stars, 17 goals in 5 games would indicate that they too have no issue scoring goals, but they were facing an Arizona team who squeaked into the playoffs on a wing and a prayer. Edm has something more than what you see on paper while perusing their roster, they have a depth of character combined with grit that must be in place to become a champion. On defence they are statistically stronger than Dallas, keeping the shots to the outside but being less productive on the score sheet, playing their positions first , and playing them well. In the net Bryzgalov is playing well, not up to Nabbies standards, but well enough to post a .927 S% in his five games played, against a somewhat easier team to beat. This role through the playoffs may well be easier for the Oilers than they anticipated, at least for the first 2 rounds, the conference finals may well be a very different story. Sadly the Oilers and Stars only played once this season, and that game went to a shootout, one that Dallas walked away with. Something tell me this series will be a bit different.

Forwards: B- Another lack of real depth, but slightly more talented front men.

Defense: B- Better in their own end, but not contributing on the score sheet enough.

Goal: B+ Bryz is chugging along, he isn't on fire like the opposition, but good enough will do.

Summary:

This series could actually swing either way. Both teams are more or less closely matched, though individual strengths and weaknesses vary slightly, and of course the wildy different position finishes on the year would contradict this idea. This is a close, high scoring series that we foresee Edmonton carrying away. Nabby may have played his best hockey already, and could be running out of steam. Bryz is playing solid and regular, as long as Pommy continues his assault I give the edge to EDM in this one. EDM in 6

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Whose left?

by WCHL Hockey

Moving on, even if barely

 
 


This year is beginning to look more and more like the year of the upset.

After watching as pre-season cup favorites Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche failed to even make the post-season, round one claimed another title challenger and nearly ate up two more.

The Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins all faced a seventh game in round one and Pittsburgh wasn't able to survive, a defeat which spewed forth a profanity laden tirade from General manager Patrick Matthews that not only was one for the ages but also virtually guaranteed big changes it Steeltown before next year.

Of the big name squads, perhaps the Rangers are in the best shape. A solid team all season, the Rangers fell behind the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 in round one before rallying to take the series, leaving them riding a four game winning streak and a huge pile of momentum into round two.

Of the eight teams into round two, three -the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars- likely weren't expected by many to have even made the playoffs. Will round two continue the trend of the underdog winning big, or is it time for the remaining elite to finally put those dogs out to the pound?

WCHL 

Western Conference

(1) Edmonton Oilers vs. (7) Dallas Stars - The Oilers were nearly clinical in the regular season enroute to their first conference title and they didn't let up in round one, easily dispatching the Arizona Coyotes in five games. Jason Pominville absolutely destroyed the Coyotes, scoring four goals and 10 points, one more than centre Brad Richards as the Oilers had a heyday with the Coyotes.

 
 


Dallas meanwhile snuck in as the seventh seed and most expected the GMless squad would be in tough against the Minnesota Wild. The result? A 3-0 series lead before moving onto round two in five games. Zach Parise scored 10 points himself and Evgeni Nabokov posted a .947 save percentage. This cast of misfits fits together quite well.

Prediction: The Stars will really need to align for Dallas to move on. Edmonton's just been to consistent for to long this season. Edmonton in six games.

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (6) Chicago Blackhawks - A season of just getting by continued for the Ducks, who edged out the cross-state rival San Jose Sharks in a tight seven games. Their reward appears to be an easier opponent in the Blackhawks, one seed lower than the Sharks but a club that knocked off the St. Louis Blues in round one.

 
 


It was a round that Chicago wasn't expected to get to, but the plucky Hawks benefited from some solid play in their end and a sputtering Blues offense that just couldn't get it going. Chicago is led by a mish-mash roster full of castoffs, a group that has banded together all season long to prove the pundits wrong.

Prediction: Expect Chicago to put up a good fight and Anaheim to not put up enough of one. Still, it will be Blackhawk down for Chicago. Anaheim in six games.

Eastern Conference

(1) New York Rangers vs. (6) Columbus Blue Jackets - The Rangers are either riding a huge high or they are wiping their collective brows after rallying from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games. Henrik Lundqvist came through when he needed to and 'The Mule' Johan Franzen scored six times to help the Rangers save a lot of face and move on to round two.

 
 


Columbus on the other hand is ready for the challenge to do what the Hurricanes couldn't; slay a giant. The Blue Jackets already dispatched the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby no less, and they are now aiming to make it two-for-two against the Rangers. If they can slow down the Rangers offense the same way they slowed down Pittsburgh's it could happen. Not only did they hold the highpowered Penguins to 12 goals, they also held them to just over 21 shots per game.

Prediction: Columbus will make this a series, but Rangers are on a roll and they will be just one step ahead. New York Rangers in five games.

(2) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Washington Capitals - The lone series in the playoffs that features two teams that had home ice advantage in the first round, this tilt sees the Senators as the odds on favorite for the first time in a while. Maybe ever. Ottawa has rebounded from years of terrible play to not only be a playoff squad under GM Noel Moxon, but also a darkhorse cup contender. Robin Lehner's outer world play is a big piece of that, showing itself in a five game win over the Tampa Bay Lightning with a .943 save percentage.

 
 


Washington however has been to this rodeo before, and nearly went the distance last year after claiming the conference title. An first half swoon prevented a repeat of that but Washington has been on a tear down the final quarter of the season and continued that roll in the playoffs, blasting through the Montreal Canadiens in five games. If they can keep Ottawa's offense off the table as well, they should be able to prevail.

Prediction: This series will likely be the best of the second round and while Ottawa is getting really close to being a cup threat, it's Washington that's ready for that challenge. Washington in seven games.

ACHL

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Barons vs. (5) Hamilton Bulldogs - Hamilton is six games
(2) Toronto Marlies vs. (3) Chicago Wolves - Toronto in five games

Eastern Conference

(1) Norfolk Admirals vs. (7) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in five games
(4) Hershey Bears vs. (6) Binghampton Senators - Hershey in seven games 

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Playoff prowess

Posted on Monday, October 27, 2014 by WCHL Hockey

Hollywood Hockey

 
 


San Jose Sharks (1) vs Anaheim Ducks (3).........
With the series tied at two apiece, the series headed back to Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. The two teams fighting for bragging rights in the State of California.
The first was scoreless thanks to Sharks tender Tim Thomas as he was out-shot 7-2 over the first twenty.
The Ducks opened the scoring  just 1:23 into the second as Matt Moulson tipped home a Shea Weber point shot on the powerplay. San Jose got that one back just over six minutes later as they would get a powerplay marker of their own from Tyler Seguin on a beauty passing play between himself, Jonathan Toews and Jeff Skinner that saw Seguin left wide open at the side of the Ducks net for an easy tip in. The Ducks regained the lead before the end of the second as Cam Atkins scored at 17:45 as he converted a two on one with Logan Couture. Shots after 40 were, 18-14 Ducks.
Joe Colborne would get his first of the play-offs from Jake Gardiner and Cam Atkinson at 10:48 of the third as he got the rebound off of a blocked shot and fired the biscuit through a screen of players past Tim Thomas snuffing out any hope of a come back for the Sharks. Game six will be in San Jose on Sunday.
MOLSON'S 3 STARS:
1 - Cam Atkinson (Ana)..... 1 goal, 1 assist, +2
2 - Logan Couture (Ana).... 2 assists, +2, 3 shots
3 - Tuukka Rask (Ana)........ 23 saves on 24 shots

Reporting For The WCHL Network...

Peter Puck

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