SN's First Round Playoff Predictions

You see this sign here? This sign was made by the Moncton Wildcats hockey club, asking the opposing team, the Halifax Mooseheads, to “bring it” when the two teams square off in a playoff series beginning tonight.

Will the Mooseheads bring it tonight? We’ll soon find out. They certainly did bring their excellent Photoshop skills, posting this on their Facebook.

The Halifax/Moncton series is one of the few in the first round that has some intrigue. There usually isn’t a whole lot of drama in the opening round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs. But that’s just the way it goes in this section of the CHL.

Here are some first round playoff predictions and thoughts from some mainstream websites.

• Buzzing The Net’s predictions
• TVA Sports’ predictions
• RDS’ predictions
• Patrick’s King’s column on the QMJHL playoffs
• Sam Cosentino still can’t spell Saint John

Here are some first round playoff predictions and thoughts from two guys who write for a Sea Dogs blog.

Cameron MacEachern

1. Saint John vs. 16. Cape Breton

This is the mismatch of all mismatches. Saint John tuned up Cape Breton in four games last playoffs, outscoring the Eagles 26-2. I’d be shocked if it isn’t a bigger bloodbath this time around. Saint John in 4.

2. Shawinigan vs. 15. Rouyn-Noranda

Shawinigan is primed and ready for a deep run which will end, one way or another, when they host the Memorial Cup. They’ve built a heck of a team and should absolutely truck the Huskies. Shawinigan in 4.

3. Blainville-Boisbriand vs. 14. Gatineau

The average point differential in the 1v16 and 2v15 matchups is 47.5. In the 4v13 and 5v12 series, it’s 29.5. The Armada and the Olympiques are separated by just 24 points, thanks to BB winning a weak West division. Expect them to win, but it could be closer than a typical 3v14 series. Blainville-Boisbriand in 6.

4. Victoriaville vs. 13. Baie-Comeau

The Tigres were one of the strongest teams in the Q all season long. They fell just short of a division title and have a high-octane offense; no other team cracked the 300 goal mark. They shouldn’t have much trouble with the Drakkar. Victoriaville in 5.

5. Quebec vs. 12. Drummondville

Quebec had a great (and somewhat unexpected) season. They’re a young team and Drummondville will work them to the bone, but they should come out on top in the end. Quebec in 6.

6. Halifax vs. 11. Moncton

The Mooseheads are another young team with some lethal weapons. Moncton has given them some trouble this season but Halifax should prevail. This has the potential for a very entertaining series. Halifax in 6.

7. Rimouski vs. 10. Val d’Or

I expected Rimouski to get battered in the tough East division, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I won’t count them out this time, especially against the constantly underachieving Foreurs. Rimouski in 6.

8. Chicoutimi vs. 9. Acadie-Bathurst

I’m inclined to pick the upset here, given that Bathurst’s top line could win the series all by their lonesome. But if Chicoutimi can shut them down, they have a few guns of their own to get the job done. Chicoutimi in 6.

Jamie Tozer

1. Saint John vs. 16. Cape Breton

This is one of those series where a bunch of people will be complaining about the playoff format by the time it’s over. This format works best for everyone. Deal with it. Sea Dogs in 4.

2. Shawinigan vs. 15. Rouyn-Noranda

This should be another snoozer. Martin Mondou will be upset about something. Cataractes in 4.

3. Blainville-Boisbriand vs. 14. Gatineau

I feel as though I owe the Fog Devils/Junior/Armada franchise an apology for where I placed them in my pre-season rankings. J-F Houle is an unreal coach. However, I think this series will be closer than the typical 3v14 matchup. Aramada in 6.

4. Victoriaville vs. 13. Baie-Comeau

Baie-Comeau fired their coach with like an hour left in the regular season. It’s been a disappointing year in the B-C, and it’s not going to get much better. Tigres in 5.

5. Quebec vs. 12. Drummondville

The Remparts are 1-3-0-0 against the Volts this season. Could be interesting, but won’t be too interesting. Remparts in 5.

6. Halifax vs. 11. Moncton

At first I was all, “OMG THIS SERIES IS GOING NINE GAMES!!” But then I relaxed a bit. A lot of people are probably going to point out the lack of experience Halifax has. Experience is a bit overrated in junior hockey in my opinion. Mooseheads in 5.

7. Rimouski vs. 10. Val d’Or

Battle of two former Sea Dogs legends – Scott Oke vs Nicolas Larocque-Marcoux. Oceanic in 6.

8. Chicoutimi vs. 9. Acadie-Bathurst

The 8v9 matchup is always intriguing but 10 points separate the two. After watching Bathurst collapse in round one last year, I don’t see them pulling off an upset this year. Sags in 5.