No one at the start of the season would have expected it to take the final two games of the regular season to clarify the standings the way it is, but here we are.
With two games left for all teams, except Seattle and Spokane, who still have an additional game against each other, there is still uncertainty around who will host playoff games and, frankly, who the opponents will be.
In the Western Conference, which has already been claimed by the Everett Silvertips, who also took the Scotty Munro Trophy for best overall record, they still don’t know who they will host. The same can be said for the BC Division champion Penticton Vees. That’s because three teams are within a point of each other, and only two of the three will advance. In either case, those two squads face a serious uphill challenge with both Everett and Penticton waiting in the wings.
The other situation involves Spokane and Kamloops, both tied and both destined to travel, but where?
In the standings right now, Spokane would travel to Kelowna, while Kamloops would head to Prince George. However, if Kamloops overtakes Spokane, they would travel to Kelowna, while Spokane would go to Prince George.
That is, if the standings hold as they are. But hold on. Kelowna and Prince George are locked in a battle of their own, with Prince George holding a one-point lead. If Kelowna overtakes Prince George, they would still host either Kamloops or Spokane, but finishing third in the conference could affect reseeding in the next round.
In the Eastern Conference, the top two teams, Prince Albert and Medicine Hat, have secured their division titles but are still jockeying for the top overall spot, currently separated by two points.
Saskatoon could theoretically overtake Brandon, but would need a significant collapse from Brandon to do so. The Red Deer Rebels need either a win or a Moose Jaw loss to secure their playoff spot, but they are also chasing the Regina Pats, who sit one point ahead. Moose Jaw could mathematically surpass both Regina and Red Deer, but that scenario appears unlikely.
With that in mind, the top two teams can count on selling home playoff tickets, but their opponents may not be known until the final games are played.
The Portland Winterhawks will need a new captain after this season, as Ryan Miller has committed to the University of Denver, and Sam Spehar is also expected to pursue the college route after a one-year stint in the WHL. There may be additional movement as well, something discussed in our recent interview with Mike Johnston, which we hope to have ready next week.
This weekend will be must-watch hockey for many, especially with all games airing on Victory+.
In the OHL, there is also plenty of intrigue heading into the weekend. North Bay and Kingston could flip the fifth- and sixth-spot positions, while Ottawa and Peterborough await their final opponents. In the West, Owen Sound holds a two-point edge over both Saginaw and Guelph for the final two playoff spots, making it a do-or-die weekend for those teams.
The Ontario Hockey League also issued a press release regarding the March 15 game between the Sarnia Sting and Saginaw Spirit. That game featured 242 minutes of penalties, including 15 total power plays and 19 misconducts. The OHL responded harshly, as the two teams are set to meet again this Saturday. In one minute, three separate incidents occurred, resulting in 10 penalties against Sarnia and nine against Saginaw. The league fined each team $5,000, and Sarnia coach Matthieu Turcotte received an additional $5,000 fine for inflammatory and unprofessional media comments. While the Sting will miss the postseason, Saginaw is still in the mix and sits just a few points away from moving higher in the standings.
In the QMJHL, there are two key battles in the Western Conference. The top two teams, Rouyn-Noranda and Drummondville, are separated by just one point, with Blainville-Boisbriand sitting two points back of the top spot.
Further down, Shawinigan and Sherbrooke are also separated by a single point as they battle for positioning and home ice. Out East, Moncton and Chicoutimi are one point apart for the top spot, while most other teams appear settled in their positions. While minor shifts are still mathematically possible, major changes seem unlikely.
Get ready for a weekend of chaos as teams race to the postseason in what is shaping up to be a frantic finish.
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