Well, it’ll be a cliffhanger as we break right as things are at the crux. OSN is out this next week as the final slots in round three are about to be determined.
Everett’s 2-0 start evaporated, and the Portland Winterhawks tied the series at 2. The return to Portland wasn’t the hope it would be as the Hawks dropped an 8-4 omelet at the hands of the Silvertips and forced a game seven back in Everett. That loss marked the first time the Hawks employed backup goaltender Marek Schlenker, who played a period and a half after Everett’s fifth goal.
Each team ended with one powerplay goal in the contest, but the costs could be high for the Hawks. Diego Buttazzoni was assessed a major and game misconduct for kneeing towards the end of the game. Though Everett didn’t score on the ensuing powerplay, majors are possible suspensions, and while it didn’t hurt them on a supplemental discipline call two games back when Ryan Miller was suspended two games for a charge not given a major penalty during the game. Everett subsequently demanded discipline and got a pair on Miller. While Buttazzoni may not receive further punishment, it stands that if he misses at least game seven and a future game, the loss will be heavy should Portland make it to the next round. The series is tied at three apiece with the seventh game set for Tuesday.
Also in the west, Spokane’s four-goal run, including the game winner in game five at 5-4 in overtime, has put them up 3-2 in their series with the Royals. Spokane lost game three after they used their backup netminder, but game four was a wild affair. They won 9-6 in shades of games from the ’80s, and anything seemed to go in. The two straight wins have brought the final games to Spokane, where they lead the series 3-2 and will end it one way or the other on home ice. This schedule format is due to distance and travel.
Out east, while the Medicine Hat Tigers rest, the Calgary Hitmen are squared up at 3 with the Lethbridge Hurricanes after the Canes’ 5-1 shellacking of the Hitmen. Owing to conflicts at the Saddledome, they will be settled on Wednesday.
Oshawa Generals took the series from the Brantford Bulldogs with a 4-1 win. After winning the previous game 3-2, the Generals scored three straight between the first and early second periods. Despite Brantford pulling the goalie in the final three minutes, they never got a goal or gave up one. They take the series in six games.
The Kingston Frontenacs and Barrie Colts will need game 7 to settle things after a 3-2 overtime win. The previous game was a 2-1 overtime win for Barrie, so this is going to be a heavy defensive game.
Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires will also need game 7, with a 4-0 shutout by the Rangers in Kitchener. The series resumes in Windsor with game 7.
The Q saw Rimouski Oceanic score a 4-1 win and took their series 4-2 after six grueling games; They take on Shawinigan as the Cataractes had taken four straight over Sherbrooke Phoenix.
The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who also won four straight, battled the Moncton Wildcats, who won 5-4 with a goal just 20 seconds after Baie Comeau had tied it on their fourth straight goal at 4. That heartbreaker was the final blow, ending this one in six as well.
Both series are set to start this week, with the Huskies having a pair before the Shawinigan/Rimouski series begins.
Who said playoff hockey wasn’t exciting?
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