The experience of Brayden Schenn should help tournament host Brandon deal with the pressure of winning a Memorial Cup.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

The Memorial Cup host Brandon Wheat Kings could boast the top offensive attack in junior hockey this season. Brandon is a good bet to go to the national championship through the front door as league champions.

Meanwhile, the Medicine Hat Tigers remain below the radar, but have the talent to surprise.

The Favourite

Brandon Wheat Kings

Regular season record: 50-18-1-3 (104 points)

League ranking: Second in Eastern Conference, Second overall

Regular season goal differential: 321-204

First round opponent: Swift Current Broncos

The Memorial Cup hosts aren't taking anything for granted heading into the playoffs. Brandon knows it will compete for the national title in May, but is a team worthy of going to the tournament as league champions.

The Wheat Kings loaded up at the trade deadline with the significant acquisition of defenceman Travis Hamonic from Moose Jaw. He recently returned to action after suffering a separated shoulder in the world junior hockey championship and has not looked out of place.

This team is playing like a champion going into the playoffs and is as hungry as ever to win a title.

Strengths: The Wheat Kings' offensive attack might be the scariest in all of junior hockey. Brandon is firing on every cylinder going into the playoffs and has unbelievable depth offensively. The Wheat Kings averaged nearly five and a half goals per game in its last 13 games of the regular season and scored six or more goals 19 times.

Five players hit the 80-point plateau in Brandon, including overage forward Matt Calvert and Brayden Schenn. Both players were a point shy of reaching the century mark while Scott Glennie notched 89 points. Defenceman Colby Robak was second in assists by a defenceman with 50, while Swedish rookie Alexander Urbom scored 12 times. Hamonic led the league in scoring as a defenceman prior to departing for the Canadian world junior selection camp and is even better in his own zone than he is offensively.

The Wheat Kings' offence is so potent because any given line can create offensively. Role players such as Brent Raedeke and Shayne Wiebe were among nine Brandon players to record 50-point seasons.

Weaknesses: Brandon's offence will win games on its own in an entertaining fashion, which is sometimes out of necessity. The Wheat Kings don't have a true No. 1 goaltender and have platooned Andrew Hayes and Jacob De Serres throughout the season.

Neither goaltender firmly grabbed the starter's role and remains the weak link in the Wheat Kings' otherwise dynamic roster. Its questionable goaltending could mean the difference between finishing teams off quickly or seeing extended playoff rounds.

Why Brandon is the favourite: In addition to being one of the hungriest teams going into the post-season the Wheat Kings played with a chip on its shoulder; just as most Memorial Cup hosts have in previous years. Brandon has the offence to overcome some of its goaltending concerns and this team is really coming of age with the trio of Schenn, Calvert and Glennie. It's possible that all three will move on to professional hockey next season, which gives them even more added motivation for the playoff run.

The Darkhorse

Medicine Hat Tigers

Regular season record: 41-23-3-5 (90 points)

League ranking: Fifth in Eastern Conference, Ninth overall

Regular season goal differential: 276-232

First round opponent: Kootenay Ice

The Tigers are the model of consistency in junior hockey. No matter which players graduate from their program, Medicine Hat finds players to step in and create a seamless transition the next season. After losing Tyler Ennis to graduation over the summer, the Tigers found a way to replace his departed scoring with Linden Vey and rookie Emerson Etem. This franchise won two championships in the last six years and can never be underestimated.

Strengths: Medicine Hat isn't as deep as in previous years, but does possess enough talented forwards to compete. Vey led the team in scoring with 75 points and boasts elite vision to create. It's not surprising to see his transition after a stellar season a year ago.

Gritty forward Wacey Hamilton came into his own offensively this season and also provides a spark when the team needs it. Meanwhile, Bretton Cameron led the team in goals with 40, just three more than top draft prospect Etem. Seven Tigers had more than 50 points this season, so this team shouldn't be short on goals when the playoffs begin.

Its up-tempo game can be hard to defend, but their dedication to playing a well-rounded style helps them win games.

Weaknesses: The Tigers are going with an inexperienced starter in the playoffs with Tyler Bunz. The first-year starter was the team's first-round pick in 2007, 21st overall, and enjoyed a decent season. Goaltending had been the team's downfall a year ago when veteran Ryan Holfeld was unable to provide consistency in their second-round series with Brandon.

Bunz could help improve his stock for the National Hockey League draft this summer with a big performance in the playoffs. He just won't be expected to win games on his own.

Why Medicine Hat can surprise: Due to their elite coaching from Willie Desjardins, this team is always ready for a battle. The Tigers aren't the deepest team, but have the ingredients to carry them past some unsuspecting teams.

The Medicine Hat Arena is one of the most intimidating and loud places to play and gives the home team a distinct advantage every time they hit the ice. The Tigers are a true sleeper going into the playoffs.