The Western Conference didn’t see the upsets of the Eastern Conference, but it wasn’t without its share of drama. The U.S. bracket featured two sweeps, but the Kamloops Blazers pushed the defending champion Kelowna Rockets to an exciting seven games before losing in overtime. The four top seeds advanced, but will the top two be able to hold serve in the second round?
Get your Eastern preview here, otherwise, here’s the Western Conference shapes up for Round 2:
Victoria Royals vs. Kelowna Rockets
Head to head: Victoria 5-2-1
The conferences’ two best teams face off in this one and the big question is: “Will Joe play?”
Victoria captain and star blueliner Joe Hicketts was injured in Game 1 against Spokane after scoring a goal and adding two assists and didn’t return to the series. The Royals say he is day-to-day and if he can’t go, it could be a game-changer in this series.
Victoria still has fire power up front with Tyler Soy, Jack Walker, Alex Forsberg and Matthew Phillips—all had a strong first-round series. But they will miss their leader on the back end for sure against the defending champs.
Kelowna managed to outlast the hot Kamloops Blazers in a Game 7 overtime thriller and are right back at it on Thursday. The big question mark for the Rockets will be whether their young defensive group can keep up with the Royals speedsters up front.
Rourke Chartier battled to stay healthy this season, but still potted 25 goals. (Marissa Baecker/Getty)
Kelowna had up-and-down games during the first round but got through and that could give their younger players the confidence they need. In net, Michael Herringer had good and shaky games against the Blazers and will have to be a rock in net.
Victoria used goalies Coleman Vollrath and Griffen Outhouse against Spokane and have to feel confident with either in net. It’s always tough to oust the defending league champions and Victoria coach Dave Lowry will have to make up for the loss of Hicketts to do so here.
The Rockets can still score with Rourke Chartier, Tomas Soustal and Dillon Dube, but they’ll need to keep the puck out of their net in order to advance.
Prediction
Almost a coin flip here featuring two good hockey clubs. Goaltending will be and the Royals have the edge there. Royals in seven.
Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Everett Silvertips
Head to head: Everett 6-2-1-1
If you are a fan of end-to-end, open-ice hockey this is not the series for you. Seattle and Everett are two of the best defensive clubs in the country, have top-end netminders and goals were scarce in the regular season series between the two.
On paper this shouldn’t be close, but hockey isn’t played on paper. Seattle has more goal scoring, better special teams and should be the favorite. The problem with that theory is that they struggled with Everett in the regular season. They did beat the Silvertips three straight to end the campaign, but only scored five goals in doing so and have only scored more than two goals against Everett goalie Carter Hart twice in 10 games.
Mathew Barzal stirs the drink for the T-Birds up front and Seattle will most likely be without leading goal-scorer Ryan Gropp due to injury. Ethan Bear gives them pop from the blueline and they have excellent special teams. Everett will counter with Hart in net and a tough top line led by Remi Laurencelle and Dawson Leedahl. Montreal Canadiens prospect Noah Juulsen is the team’s top blueliner and will see a lot of Barzal.
Mathew Barzal was fifth in WHL point per game at 1.52. (Marissa Baecker/Getty)
There will be a lot of chess playing in this matchup and it could come down to a lucky break here and there. Puck management and patience will be key for both clubs.
Prediction
Could easily go either way but the trend says take the team who has only one regulation loss since February 20th. Seattle in six.