BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – The final four – SMAAAHL style – begins tonight with each best-of-five semi-final series beginning. To take you inside each series, we provide comments from three of the four head coaches PLUS our Insiders Panel of five league coaches and broadcasters provide their predictions. Enjoy the playoff madness of Round 2.
#1 Regina Pat Canadians vs. #5 Estevan Innovex Bears
Ryan Hodgins, Regina head coach: No comment available.
Ryan Pilon, Estevan head coach: “(Regina’s) high-end talent can obviously be very dangerous. The key for us so far has been our ability to stay composed. Up or down in games we’ve done a good job at not changing our game. Our depth has been something we’ve leaned on and when we’ve needed our big players they have stepped up.”
Insiders analysis: “The biggest question entering the series is: how much will Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue play for Regina?”… “It’s a series that is full of high-end players: Schultz, Pue, Ryker Doka, Ethan Young, Ben Meyer. And for Estevan: Gunner Moore, Boston Schmidt, Dylan Brass, Brendan Jones, Evan Hutcheon.”… “Estevan will win one at home. Regina PP will be key to series as well as solid goaltending. The fact that Estevan came off a tough five games vs SC will weigh in favour of Regina.”… “This is going to be a great series. Estevan is going to try and take their momentum from Round 1 into Round 2. They are an older team that has a lot of speed and guys that can score and a great goalie in Hutcheon, who made some huge saves in Round 1. Regina will try and use their playoff experience. They have alot of offense on their side as well, but can defend very well. I think this series will come down to goaltending and special teams. Three of the four games were close in the regular season.”… “I think this will be a closer series than people expect. Estevan will find a way to compete with the Pat Cs top players but in the end I think Regina’s depth will be the difference.”… “Momentum can be a big thing but can it carry Estevan through another emotional, potentially long series?”
Insiders prediction: Regina 3-1 (four predictions); Regina 3-2 (one prediction)
#2 Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors vs. #3 Saskatoon Blazers
Trevor Weisgerber, Moose Jaw head coach: “(The Blazers) have a good hockey team that plays well defensively and we have had close games all season against them. The key to our success so far has been our depth. All season the guys have done it collectively and it was the same in the first round.”
Troy Walkington, Saskatoon head coach: “Moose Jaw is a deep group with an elite rush game. We will need to manage pucks and limit chances off the rush. Since Christmas, our commitment to team defense has excelled. In the playoffs we have been disciplined and special teams have been excellent.”
Insiders analysis: “This could be a very physical series – especially at Rod Hamm Arena in Saskatoon where the Blazers are very difficult to play against. Saskatoon is 18-4-2 at home this year.”… “Injuries to two key MJ defenceman will hurt them. Blazers can play physical.”… “(Madex) Kabrud played very well in Round 1. He could be a difference-maker for the Blazers. But do they have enough fire power to match MJ?”… “This series will be a dog fight. Moose Jaw did take all four regular season games, but they were all very close games and came down to wire. Moose Jaw will rely on their depth scoring and goaltending to move them through, which they have gotten so far. The Blazers play a hard and physical game in their own barn. They have built a team around their smaller rink and the fans will be behind them in Game 2. They will use that to their advantage. For Moose Jaw they will need to find a way to win on the road.”… “The way the Blazers played against Warman was machine like. If they can continue that I think they could finish this series earlier. Moose Jaw won’t give up without a fight, with them being a top team this season they know that anything less than the finals is a disappointment. They will play hard and could take this series, too.”… “These two teams were closer in the regular season standings than the 14 point gap would indicate. They were involved in three one-goal games. Both teams have defended well and scored lots in the opening round. It’s a toss up likely to be determined by special teams. Blazers in a tight one.”
Insiders prediction: Moose Jaw 3-1 (one prediction); Moose Jaw 3-2 (one prediction); Saskatoon 3-2 (three predictions)
