Call me crazy, but I was really pulling for an upset of one of the four teams that earned byes through regular season play. Unless an underdog has us all sucked in for a Hollywood come-from-behind victory, with all series being led 3-1 by the favorites who are heading home for Game 5, the second round best-of-seven series look all but done.
On the mainland few gave Surrey a chance against a veteran Powell River club that employs six 20-year-old and the most dangerous Power Play seen in the BCHL since Williams Lake ripped up the 05-06 campaign with the extra man. The scouting report has been spot on. The Kings have outscored the Eagles 19-2. NOT EVEN CLOSE!
On the Isle-of-Van, the Grizzlies have proved superior to the Capitals after stumbling in Game 1 at Bear Mountain (sounds like a ride at Disneyland, doesn’t it). The Grizzlies seem the more complete club, out-chancing and outscoring the gritty Caps since Game 1. This series still has potential to go the distance, but Chris Rawlings will have to live up to the title of BCHL’s best goalie, some critics were crowning him with. Right now Anthony Grieco has the tidy numbers!
The Warriors were a club that came into the post season on quite a roll. Injuries have depleated a blue collar club that has (or should I say had?) one of the best D-corps in the league. Justin Schultz’s injury plagued season has stretched into the playoffs, as the smooth skating stud, was absent for Games 1 & 2 vs. Salmon Arm and had spot duty in Game 3 as a Power Play specialist. Also dinged is Kevin Jebson who may be gone for the remainder of the 2nd Round after being spotted on crutches following a Game 2 injury. Give Salmon Arm credit, they’ve shown more than one dimension this post-season.
Roger Tepper, Edge Photography, No copies or reproduction without permission. EdgePhoto(at)telus.net
The Vees and Vipers have played two tight games and two blow-outs, Vernon has won 3 games. The Snakes talk about their youth, but the Vipers have just 1 player 16 or 17 years of age in the line-up compared to the Vees half dozen ’91s and ’92s that are all playing major roles. The Vees top three scorers are 16 or 17, while the veterans have been less than impressive. The Vipers have proved deeper, meaner and stronger. The Vees have scored just 3 goals 5-on-5 (YIKES)!
Last year the final four were all bye rested clubs, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.
