It’s my Parting Shot for The Fearless Predictor’s last day, the third one, of making prognostications with regards to order of finish in the Western Hockey League…..
I’m winding up the predictions by looking close to home – meaning who finishes first in the East and Central Divisions and who will finish where when it comes to the Conference standings and which three teams won’t be in the playoffs!
I mentioned back on Tuesday when I started this three-part and/or day deep dive into the Dub that there is parity like crazy in the Eastern Conference. All you have to do is look at the standings and see that only 10 points separates first from last going into this weekend! Now, there will be separation and I also believe there will be a correction when it comes to some surprise starters – both good and not as good – when it comes to being who everybody thought they would be!
With that said, in the Central Division, I’m picking Medicine Hat to get their act together and go on a run and finish first – ahead of Calgary while I expected reality to catch up to current division and conference-leading Red Deer. The Tigers will also be tops in the Eastern Conference!
In the East Division, Swift Current can’t continue to rely on goaltending to win them games while being out-shot on a nightly basis – badly in some instances. That will give Brandon the opportunity to finish first, as many experts felt would be the case going into the season!
So, Medicine Hat and the Wheat Kings will be the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference. After that, it’ll be the Blades, Calgary, Prince Albert, Edmonton, Swifty and Regina being in the post-season. Red Deer falls drastically out of first and into ninth and watching the playoffs, followed by Lethbridge and Moose Jaw!
The key thing for Saskatoon, in order to finish third, is to improve on their shooting and save percentages, both in the bottom third of the league, as well as be more consistent in their play for one of the oldest teams in the Dub. As for the Raiders, after a stumbling start, the braintrust of G-M Curtis Hunt and head coach Ryan McDonald will create a roster that will wring the most out of their effort and do better than anyone would’ve predicted!
As for who wins the whole thing come next May, I’m going with Medicine Hat over Victoria in the final for the Ed Chynoweth Cup! We shall see!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
