It’s my Parting Shot for Day 2 or Part 2 of T-F-P’s stab at order of finish in the Western Hockey League…..
Today, it’s who finishes first in each of the B-C and U-S Divisions and then order of finish for the Conference. I used quite the formula to determine this, taking into account the standings right now as well as current goal differential, numbers of 2007-born and 2006-born players on all rosters, the number of N-H-L draft players, the number of players rated by Central Scouting and how highly regarded they are. Plus, numbers of Americans and the average age of those players!
When I tabulated it all up, I like the Victoria Royals to finish atop the B-C Division with their crew of older players, including older Americans, and a few N-H-L drafts on their roster. Plus, they’re in the lead now and will hold off the Vancouver Giants!
In the U-S Division, I’m going with the Spokane Chiefs who are off to a fabulous start with a 10-1-and-1 record and a plus-18 goal differential. They’re the current class of the division, with games in hand on the other six American-based teams and a seven-point lead already! The Chiefs also have a decently-old team, a stable of N-H-L drafted players and a quality crew of American-born players! Give them the first place in the division banner now!!
When it comes to the Conference standings or seedings. Victoria will be first and Spokane will be second, although Vancouver will finish with more points than the Chiefs, but the Giants will have to settle for the third seed. After that, the other first round, home-ice advantage playoff spot belongs to Kelowna – just ahead of Okanagan rival Penticton in fifth spot!
From there, I’ve got Wenatchee in sixth place, followed by Portland and Kamloops sneaking into the eighth and final post-season berth, just ahead of Seattle! Tri-Cities will be 10th, defending champion Everett will be 11th and Prince George will bring up the rear in 12th!
Tomorrow, T-F-P will take a stab at the very parity-laden Eastern Conference – who will finish where, who will miss the playoffs and which two teams will end up topping the East and Central Divisions?! A deeper dive into the Saskatoon Blades and Prince Albert Raiders will be a part of that – maybe even a guess at who will win the Ed Chynoweth Cup next May!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
