2012 WHL FINALS PREVIEW- Edmonton Oil Kings vs Portland Winterhawks
This year the two teams that will be battling it out for the Ed Chynoweth Cup (Western Hockey League Champions) and a birth at the 2012 Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec are the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Portland Winterhawks. As both team`s should be happy of their season so far, both know it will be the true test as they both put their whole season on the line for their chance to go to Shawinigan, Quebec and play against the CHL`s best teams. Here’s the Ed Chynoweth Cup Finals schedule (Below)(Western times).
Game 1- Thursday May 3rd at 7pm in Edmonton
Game 2- Friday May 4th at 7pm in Edmonton
Game 3- Sunday May 6th at 6pm in Portland
Game 4- Tuesday May 8th at 7pm in Portland
Game 5- Thursday May 10th at 7pm in Edmonton *If necessary
Game 6- Saturday May 12th at 6pm in Portland *If necessary
Game 7- Sun May 13th at 6pm in Edmonton *If necessary
2012 Head-to-Head Results
Friday October 21st – Portland 4-8 Edmonton
CHL Rankings
Edmonton Oil Kings are Ranked 4th in the CHL Top Ten BMO Rankings.
Portland Winterhawks are Ranked 7th in the CHL Top Ten BMO Rankings.
Teams regular season recap:
Edmonton Oil Kings
The Edmonton Oil Kings finished their regular season with a record of (50-15-3-4) 107 points. The Oil Kings finished the 2011-12 regular season with the best record in the WHL. Edmonton`s offense scored 310 goal which was 2nd in goals scored in the league this season. As the Oil Kings defense was also ranked 2nd in the league as they only allowed 193 goals. The Oil Kings also finished the season strong as they won 11 straight and it continued into the 2012 playoffs.
The Oil Kings had lots of help from their goaltending Laurent Brossoit as he had an amazing save percentage of .914 and a goals against average of only 2.47 that ranked him second amount goals against average this season. Edmonton also had loads of help from their forwards Michaeal St. Croix who scored 45 goals and 60 assists in the 72 regular season games. The Oil Kings defenseman Griffin Reinhart has proven to many NHL scouts this season that he is ready to make the move to play against the pros.
Portland Winterhawks
The Portland Winterhawks finished their regular season with a record of (49-19-3-1) 102 points. The Winterhawks finished their season ranked 2nd in the western conference and 3rd overall. The Winterhawks chipped in a total of 328 goals which was 18 more goals than any other team in the league. Portland`s defense of side of the game was not as great as they were ranked 9th in the WHL with allowing 229 goals this season.
The Winterhawks forward Ty Rattie had a successful season this year as he finished 3rd in league scoring this season with 57 goals and 64 assists in 69 games this 2012 season. Rattie got some help from his teammate Sven Bartschi (33g, and 61a) and Brad Ross (42g, and 40a). The Winterhawks goaltending threw the season was not the greatest in the league just making the top 10 in the league.
Playoff recaps:
Edmonton Oil Kings (12-1)
The Edmonton Oil Kings started their 2012 playoff run against the 8th seeded Kootenay Ice and sweep them in 4 games winning 3-0, 4-3, 6-3, and 3-1. They then advanced to play against the 6th seeded Brandon Wheat Kings in the Conference Semi-Finals. The Oil Kings had no difficulty against the Wheat Kings as they sweep them out in four games (2-1, 4-3, 5-1, 6-1). They then went on to play against the 2nd ranked Moose Jaw Warriors in the conference finals and only losing game 4 in that series (6-1 EDM, 6-1 EDM, 3-2 EDM, 5-1 M.J, 4-1 EDM).
Since the playoffs has started the Oil Kings net minder Laurent Brossoit who currently has a 0.945 save percentage which leads the WHL goalies in the 2012 playoffs. Brossoit also leads the league in goals against average with a stealer 1.62 GAA. On the other side of the ice the Oil Kings veterans will need step their game up as they only have a single player 15+ points in the playoffs, which is team rookie Curtis Lazar. If the Oil Kings want to left the Ed Chynoweth Cup and book their ticket to the Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec.
Portland Winterhawks (12-3)
The Portland Winterhawks started their 2012 playoffs against 6th seeded Kelowna Rockets, and sweep them in 4 games winning (6-3, 4-0, 6-3, 5-3). They then went on to play a tougher series against the 3rd seeded Kamloops Blazers which carried out to game 7. The series at first looked like the Winterhawks were going to pull out another sweep in the playoffs as they won the first 3 games of the series (5-3 POR, 4-1 POR, 5-2 POR), but the Blazers disagreed and the series then went 5-4 KAM, 7-2 KAM, 7-6 KAM and both teams but their whole season on the line and Portland was able to steal a 2-1 win. They then went on to play against the top seeded Tri-City Americans. Portland learned from their mistakes for the last series match up against the Blazers, as the Winterhawks took the series in 4 games winning them 5-4, 5-4, 3-1, and 4-1.
The Winterhawks will need their players to keep scoring as they have 3 players in the Top 5 for scoring in the playoffs in the WHL. If players like Ty Ross can keep up his scoring touch (17 goals and 12 assist) it would help Portland possible book their ticket to the memorial cup. The one thing that the Winterhawks will need to improve on going into the series is they will need their goaltending and defense to improve as Mac Carruth has a goals against average of 2.86 which only ranks him 8th among WHL goaltenders in the playoffs. He also has an average save percentage of .920 in the 2012 playoffs.
Players to WATCH!
All NHL scouts eyes will be set on for this upcoming NHL draft is defenseman Griffin Reinhart of the Oil Kings who is currently ranked in 10th for North American skaters that are availble for the 2012 season. The eyes also will be on defensman Derrick Pouliot of the Winterhawks who is currently ranked 12th in North American skaters for the upcoming draft. These are the only skaters on both teams to be ranked in the top 50 skaters in North America for the upcoming draft. Eyes will be also probly be on this players who might have been missed during the season.
Joshua Hanson – Ranked 102 among North American Skaters (Portland)
BRENDAN LEIPSIC - Ranked 114 among North American Skaters (Portland)
TAYLOR LEIER- Ranked 131 among North American Skaters (Portland)
MITCHELL MOROZ- Ranked 72 among North American Skaters (Edmonton)
HENRIK SAMUELSSON- Ranked 75 among North American Skaters (Edmonton)
ASHTON SAUTNER- Ranked 92 among North American Skaters (Edmonton)
CODY CORBETT- Ranked 117 among North American Skaters (Edmonton)
Round Preview
This should be a good series as the Portland Winterhawks will be bringing a really strong offense into Edmonton, to see if they can find a way to solve Laurent Brossoit. The Edmonton Oil Kings should be bringing both sides of the puck a really strong defensive game, but still have players chipping in against the Winterhawks defense. This series should last to around game 6, as the team who can find a way to crack the other team`s offense should be able to book their tickets to the Memorial Cup Finals
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