Friday, March 22, 2013

SN's First Round Playoff Predictions


Well here we are. It’s playoff time.

It's certainly a different year in Saint John. After three straight years of regular season championships, the Sea Dogs are likely going to be bounced from the post-season in the first round. But this is junior hockey and that is just the price you pay for success.

So yeah... the playoffs are here. That's about all we have to say.

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

And here are some first round playoff predictions and thoughts from people who write for a Sea Dogs blog.

Jamie Tozer (station_nation)
16. Saint John Sea Dogs vs 1. Halifax Mooseheads
This shouldn’t be close. The Mooseheads are probably going to score some unreal goals that will be played on TSN for a week. Sorry, Sea Dogs fans. Mooseheads in four.

15. Sherbrooke Phoenix vs 2. Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Drakkar fans are bizarre. I’m going to make the bold prediction that they don’t throw garbage on the ice in this series. Bold, I know. You still have nice jerseys, Phoenix. Drakkar in four.

14. Acadie-Bathurst Titan vs 3. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Two teams united in their dislike for the Sea Dogs franchise. This series started last night for some reason. Armada in four.

13. Gatineau Olympiques vs 4. Rimouski Océanic
Rimouski is hurting right now. Kevin Gagne will probably play 70 minutes a game. I’m gonna give Gatineau a game but no more. Oceanic in five.

12. Chicoutimi Saguenéens vs 5. Québec Remparts
Grigorenko is back and he’s a beast. Remparts should roll through the first round. Remparts in four.

11. Victoriaville Tigres vs 6. Moncton Wildcats
Phillip Danault will be the talk of this series. Bet he scores the series winning goal. You never want to see Moncton win but they have a good team. Wildcats in four.

10. Val-d’Or Foreurs vs 7. PEI Rocket
There’s no fan base in the league that deserves a playoff run more than PEI fans. Ben Duffy and Josh Currie will be everywhere. Rocket in six.

9. Drummondville Voltigeurs vs 8. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
I don’t even know. Huskies in six.

Tim Lumsden (@SNshadowwalker)
Saint John Sea Dogs vs Halifax Mooseheads
I'm optimistic. And besides, Auger can build a wall in goal with all that hardware he won....so I'm saying Saint John in 7

Sherbrooke Phoenix vs Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Sherbrooke in 5

Acadie-Bathurst Titan vs Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
The Armada in 5

Gatineau Olympiques vs Rimouski Océanic
Rimouski can surprise people... Oceanic in 6

Chicoutimi Saguenéens vs Québec Remparts
Sags in 5

Victoriaville Tigres vs Moncton Wildcats
Tigres in 6

Val-d’Or Foreurs vs PEI Rocket
The Rocket have been shocking fans all season.... Rocket in 6

Drummondville Voltigeurs vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Volts in 5

Kevin Chambers (SNCanucklehead)

Saint John Sea Dogs vs Halifax Mooseheads
The powerhouse Mooseheads are the #1 ranked team in the CHL for a reason and Sebastien Auger is gonna be the busiest goaltender in the 1st Round.  The Moose ave plenty of fire power up front along with quality depth on defense and of course Fucale has been very solid down the stretch ... doesn't appear they have too many chinks in their armour for the Sea Dogs be able to even win a single game against this team.  Sorry Sea Dog fans I feel your pain but Halifax is too good.  Mooseheads in 4

Sherbrooke Phoenix vs Baie Comeau Drakkar
The Drakkar gained some valuable experience last season against the Sea Dogs and look primed to make a run if their goaltending can perform.  The Phoenix had a good expansion season but while scores may not be too lopsided I don't see them winning a game in this series - Drakkar in 4

Acadie-Bathurst Titan vs Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
The battle of extra long team names ... The Armada did get some good news with Stefan Matteau returning to the team just in time for the playoffs to give the offense a boost.  The Armada's strength on defense happens to be a weakness for the Titan ... Give me the Armada in 4

Gatineau Olympiques vs Rimouski Oceanic
Rimouski might have made the bluff of the first round hinting that several players were injured just a day before the playoff series was set to begin only to find out MacKinnon is the only significant injury.  The Oceanic made it all the way to the league final last season and that will help this season not to mention former Sea Dog Kevin Gagne will give the young defense a big boost - Oceanic in 5

Chicoutimi Sagueneens vs Quebec Remparts
A bit of history between these 2 clubs and might have been closer but with the return of Grigorenko I don't expect this one to last long - Remparts in 5 games

Victoriaville Tigres vs Moncton Wildcats
The Wildcats definitely have the depth to make this difficult for the Tigres in the battle of the Cats ....  Moncton will need Dubeau to stay healthy and with their depth should win this series but the Tigres will give them a battle ... Wildcats in 6

PEI Rocket vs Val D'or Foreurs
This could be the most exciting series in the 1st Round of the playoffs ... Both teams can score goals without a doubt but the difference in this series will come down to goaltending ... Give me Bibeau and the Rocket but in a tough series ... Rocket in 7 (Rocket fans deserve this)

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs Drummondville Voltigeurs
Another real close matchup on paper here ... Give the offense of the Huskies the edge and the defensive edge to the Volts ... This could be another close series but in the end I like the Huskies .  Huskies in 6 games

1 comment:

  1. Hummm live in trees Tim? Cause you are on a awfully long limb on some of them there buddy!
    (but secretly I hope you are right on some)
    Scott

    ReplyDelete