The playoff round two has been settled, and the matches will begin on Friday this week.
Out East, the dust settled on the playoff race the day before the West.
Saskatoon capped off a four-game comeback with a 4-1 win over Prince Albert. The Raiders were the last team to make the playoffs, slipping by Calgary for that eighth playoff spot in the East. Prince Albert had picked up the first game but fell to Saskatoon in five games.
Red Deer Rebels won their series against the Medicine Hat Tigers and earned the chance to face Saskatoon when the Blades host on Friday.
Moose Jaw Warriors eliminated Brandon Wheat Kings in four straight and, with the points realignment, are hosting Swift Current Broncos. The Broncos had been the Central Division champions, but they did so in a relatively weak division. That series will also begin on Friday.
The Western Conference ended a couple of days later in obtaining the four remaining teams. Kelowna knocked off Wenatchee 4-2, and with that, neither team that made it to the WHL Final will appear any further. Seattle Thunderbirds, who were the other team, didn’t even make the playoffs.
Everett Silvertips, who faced Vancouver Giants, shut out Vancouver 5-0 in Everett. With that, the Silvertips will travel to Portland for the first two games on Friday and Saturday. The games will then be on Monday, April 15, and Friday, April 19, owing to bull riding happening on the 17th and 18th in Everett. The rest of the schedule will be announced next week, but expect Portland to host Saturday the 20th should a game 5 be necessary. With that, they would probably be looking at game six on Sunday in Everett and Tuesday in Portland, but that is yet to be confirmed.
Prince George Cougars will now host Kelowna Friday and Saturday, with games three and four in Kelowna midweek. The rest of the schedule conforms to what most see schedule-wise, with Tuesday and Wednesday in Kelowna and Friday in Prince George. Games 5-7, if needed, would be Friday in Prince George, Sunday in Kelowna, and Tuesday in Prince George.
Round 3 would start Friday, April 26.
Jan Spunar has been nominated as the US Division WHL Goaltender of the Year. Despite missing 27 games, Spunar could still post a strong goals-against average and win percentage.
The winners of all the awards will be announced at a later date.
