When one looks at the standings, one is puzzled as to how things can go down to the wire. With most teams playing three games or less, a simple win could be the difference between making the playoffs and moving up in the standings. Currently, no one knows who they are playing.
Eight teams were in action leading up to this weekend, all trying to secure a spot in the postseason or solidify their standing.
In the Eastern Division, Calgary is looking in from the outside. Needing some help and wins, they are in a dogfight with the Prince Albert Raiders for the final spot in the playoffs. Both teams have three games remaining. Prince Albert had a leisurely start facing the Regina Pats, who are at the bottom of the division. Calgary faced Saskatoon Blades, which is at the top of the division. Prince Albert manhandled Regina 5-1, and Calgary lost 4-3 in overtime. That loss will give Prince Albert the 8th and final spot in the Eastern Conference. With the win, Saskatoon will increase their lead to 3 points, preventing Portland from securing the top spot overall. Prince George has a slight chance to win the top spot overall.
Swift Current leads the Central Division and faces the Red Deer Rebels, who are in no man’s land in the division. Swift Current needed a win or a Medicine Hat loss to ensure the division was theirs. Swift Current doubled up on the Rebels 6-3, which provides the Central Division title, with Red Deer remaining exactly where they are.
Wenatchee Wild faced the Victoria Royals. The Royals are in the playoffs but can scamper some places with wins and a little help. Wenatchee is a couple of points up on the idle Vancouver Giants and has the game in hand that they are playing vs. Victoria. The Royals beat up Wenatchee 7-3. Victoria is now tied with Kelowna for the seventh spot in the Western Conference but has just one game remaining, whereas Kelowna has a pair left.
Teams will play between 1 and 3 games this weekend, and the schedule will be finalized only then.
In Winterhawks news, Braeden Jockims has returned to Portland as an affiliate player after being a part of Nipawin Hawks during the regular season. The CHL Poll came out with Portland vaulting to 4th overall. Prince George remains atop the poll. London Knights took second, Baie-Comeau Drakkar was third, and then the Hawks. Saginaw Spirit, Saskatoon Blades, and Everett Silvertips take the next three spots. Rounding the top ten are Drummondville Voltigeurs, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Oshawa Generals.
The Portland Winterhawks will be on TV with their last two games. The Saturday game will start at 6 pm and Sunday at 5 pm, both on CW 32. Portland also announced a Fan Fest to take place outside the VMC on Saturday, March 30, starting at 3 pm. There is a unique event during that Fan Fest. A tattoo parlor is part of the festivities. The Hawks are giving a free ticket to anyone getting a tattoo at the Fan Fest for either that night’s game or future game.
