It’s my Parting Shot for The Fearless Predictor’s first of a three-part preview, with picks, of the W-H-L’s Ed Chynoweth Cup playoff tournament for 2026…..
Today, a glimpse at the four quarter-final series in the Western Conference, tomorrow a guess at what will happen in three of the opening round sets in the Eastern Conference with Friday being the day T-F-P takes a deep dive into the Saskatoon Blades first round tussle with the Edmonton Oil Kings and picks a league champion!
First up, first place Everett against eighth place Portland. The Silvertips finished 49 points ahead of the Winterhawks in the standings and had a plus-131 goals for and against differential compared to the minus-29 posted by the Hawks. Now, the season series was even at three wins each, but the Tips won each of the last three meetings by a total score of 17-9. Something to keep in mind, Portland has ousted Everett from the post-season in each of the last three years. But, the Silvertips will get a measure of revenge – winning this series in no more than five games!
Next is second place and expansion Penticton tangling with seventh place Seattle. The difference in the standings was 26 points. The Vees had a plus-80 goals for and against differential while the Thunderbirds were a minus-18. Penticton won all four match-ups in the regular-season, however the last one was 5-4 in a shootout – the only meeting after the trade deadline. The T-Birds won’t be an easy out because of their physical style of play, but I’m still taking the Vees in six games!
The third Western set is third place Prince George taking on sixth place Spokane. The Cougars were 16 points better than the defending Western Conference champions. The Cats had a plus-57 goals for and against differential while the Chiefs were a plus-14. P-G won all four head-to-head meetings and own an awesome power play that will be tough for Spokane to corral. Yet, I think this goes the distance – seven games with Prince George prevailing!
The most interesting opening round series out West could be the all-B-C match-up between fourth place Kelowna and fifth place Kamloops. Only two hours separates the two teams and only 10 points separated them in the standings. The Rockets were a plus-39 goals for and against differential while the Blazers were a plus-14. Head-to-head, Kamloops won the first two meetings right after the New Year passed on the calendar, but Kelowna won the last four tilts after the trade deadline passes. They are the Memorial Cup hosts and will advance in five games!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
