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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2007 12:46:34 GMT -5
Here are my predictions for the opening round of the playoffs assuming that Drayton and Monkton take both of their series. First I'll do the A side and then the AA.
A SIDE
Durham vs. Monkton If Monkton can get off to a good start in some of these games there is no reason not to believe that they won't be able to pull out a few in this series. Durham has been known to play softer against weaker teams and Monkton needs to be ready to pounce at the opportunity.
Prediction: Durham wins 4-2
Milverton vs. Drayton Milverton is red hot right now and they should be a contender for the A side. They need to watch out though against an improving Icemen squad. Remember Drayton is playing in a tougher division and are better than their record indicates. Drayton needs all their players to show up and they also need Cherry in net to give them a fighting chance.
Prediction: Milverton wins 4-1
Ripley vs. Goderich The Ripley Wolves are also going to be tough to beat in the A side. They have the league's leading scorer and a lot of other offensive weapons. If Goderich has a chance in this series their goaltender is going to have to stand on his head. Ripley is going hunting for Pirates.
Prediction: Ripley wins 4-2
Wingham vs. Mildmay Once again the 'tougher division' factor comes into play when the Bulls take on the Monarchs. Mildmay has some talented guys and they can take it to Wingham if they really want to. This is going to be a great series but I see Wingham winning this one in 7.
Prediction: Wingham wins 4-3
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Post by siefert on Feb 6, 2007 10:32:05 GMT -5
So I was off just slightly with my earlier predictions. But here is the analysis of the playoff series
AA Lucknow-Hensall I like Lucknow to walk through Hensall relatively easily. Hensall may be able to win one at home to escape the sweep, but Lucknow's scoring ability just dominates Hensall. Lucknow in 5
Shelburne-Tavistock Tavistock and Shelburne are both similar teams, although Shelburne seems to have a stronger goalie. I think the series will be very tight, possibly going back and forth, but I like Shelburne to win. Shelburne in 6
Elora-Lucan This could be the series of the playoffs, or it could be over quick. Lucan has something to prove in their first season with the big boys at playoff time. If Lucan can adjust to the playoff style that Elora will play, they should be able to make a series out of it. I feel that Elora will gain an advantage early, and from there on in it will be tight Elora in 6
Palmerston-Clinton This series has the makings of a special series too. Both teams play solid defensively, with Clinton allowing the least goals against for the year, and Palmerston leading up until the last few weeks. Palmerston scored more than Clinton did this year, so I have to go with Palmerston as long as they get off to a better start in the series than they did last year. Palmerston in 7
A Durham-Monkton/Thedford If Durham decides to come out to play for the A championship they should walk through this series, regardless of who is involved. However, after seeing the A side hangover that Palmerston suffered against Listowel in the first round of the A playoffs, no team is ever out of it. I see Durham coming to play and taking it in 4 straight.
Ripley-Goderich Ripley has been something of a surprise this year, competing solidly for most of the year. Goderich has shocked a few teams throughout the year, but may not have the firepower they need to beat a high scoring Ripley team Ripley in 5
Mildmay-Wingham Mildmay has faded slightly from their stronger start, while Wingham gave it a shot trying to make the AA playoffs, finishing at a decent .500 mark. I think this will be the best series of the first round in the A, but Wingham probably has more offense and that should make the difference. Wingham in 6
Drayton-Milverton Milverton came on strong at the end of the year, missing out on the AA by a goal in their final game. Drayton has won 3 in a row for the first time in their short existence, although all came against a Georgian Bay team that didn't get the turnout this time around. Milverton should have no problem handling the Icemen as long as they come to play. Milverton in 4
Sief
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2007 19:18:03 GMT -5
I noticed Seifert that you sugar coated the fact that you feel the north is stronger than south, judging by your predictions in the AA. My question is why? Because they won the all star game? This is not a shot at you or a slander so please do not take it that way. It seems all the players and fans of north division teams feel they are the superior division. I hate to say it but do not base it on the all star game, half the guys that go are going because they are the only ones that want to, not the most talented. I feel that the only series the north will win is the lucknow series, and even that could be an upset if hensall gets some goaltending to heat up. All 4 series should go 6 games and all should be good to watch. On another note, this might be the dumbest set up for playoffs i have ever seen. Instead of traveling a long distance at the end of the playoffs, the teams get to do it 3 times. What was wrong with the winner of the south playing the north? so much for teams trying to make money. I am sure the hensall-lucknow series will pull in as much gate as clinton-hensall would have
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Post by siefert on Feb 7, 2007 10:49:25 GMT -5
Leddy,
I guess I do feel that the North is the stronger division, although I wouldn't say that it is that big of a difference between divisions.
I can be honest and say that the all star game has absolutely nothing to do with the way I picked.
I guess the reason that I see the North as being stronger is there are 4 solid teams in the playoffs, as well as another team who probably could do some serious damage had they gotten in.
To me the South has 3 strong teams in Clinton, Lucan & Tavistock, but then the next 2 are just average. I don't feel Hensall will be able to get much accomplished this year. In past years they have relied heavily on being one of the top defensive teams in the league, but this year they didn't have that. I believe Milverton probably would have given Lucknow more of a series, as they were coming on strong at the end of the year.
Hensall seems to have coasted this year going only 2-6-1 against the top 3 teams, as well as losing all 3 games to Wingham. Hensall took only 11 points from the teams that finished above .500 in the South, meaning they took 15 of the 18 points from Goderich, Monkton & Thedford and almost a quarter of the goals Thedford scored this year were against Hensall. I just don't see much of a challenge coming from Hensall to be honest.
I think Tavistock and Shelburne will be a terrific series, but the way Sturrock is playing in goal in Shelburne, Tavistock may lose it on that fact alone.
Clinton and Palmerston should be the best series in the first round I think. There is a history between the two teams, both are tremendous defensively with Clinton finishing first & Palmerston finishing second in their respective divisions in goals against. Both are pretty good offensively as well. I picked Palmerston in 7 simply because Palmerston has a little more offense in my opinion.
Lucan and Elora, I stated I thought it would be a great series, but if Lucan isn't able to adjust to what Elora is going to throw at them, they could be in over their heads quickly. If Lucan is ready to skate with Elora from the opening puck drop, then it will be a great series.
I agree with you on the set up Leddy, there is no reason to have the crossover happen like it does. The teams have been separated all year long, why change it as soon as the playoffs start? Besides it provides the teams with a little incentive next year if they are chasing a champion in each division.
If Elora were to win the whole thing, beating Lucknow in the final, then the South teams would be playing against each other without that little extra incentive that can make the games exciting. That's just my opinion personally.
I think all 4 of the first round series should be good, but Lucknow may manhandle Hensall. That's the only series I don't see being close.
Sief
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2007 14:54:48 GMT -5
Siefert
I agree with most of your statements and actually see your point in some of them. However you are judging a team (Hensall) on their performances against top teams all year, granted they have had a tough year, but maybe they match up better with lucknow. I don't think they will win, but i also don't think it will be a blow out series. As far as Palmerston having more offense in their line-up than Clinton, It must have been a while since you have watched the Clinton team. If you had of said toughness, than yes, but Clinton might have one of the best lines in the league in vandooren, mcinally, and anderson. Either way one of us will be right and one wrong, so maybe a beer should go on these series? Oh and one last thing, if you are judging how teams perform against weaker division teams, don't forget Durham lost to Georgian bay this year, so i don't know how much noise they would make in the AA.
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Post by siefert on Feb 8, 2007 9:17:37 GMT -5
Leddy
I would have to say that there is no real way to gauge this crossover really. The teams have performed well against the teams in their own division, but they have had nothing to compare themselves with the other division.
I do feel that Hensall is the weakest team. I know you can't judge a team by their performances against the worst teams, but Hensall had a bad record against the winning teams in the South. Durham did lose to Georgian Bay, but that's a big reason why Durham is in the A playoffs, just 1 year after winning the whole thing. And you have to remember that Durham was 5-6-1 against the playoff teams in the North, which is a losing record, but a lot better than Hensall's record against the top teams.
In all reality, and it kind of pains me to say this, but I think Shelburne may be the team to beat in the league. They have come on strong since the start of the year.
Clinton does have one really good line, but I think Palmerston has had 2 or even 3 lines that have been scoring all year, and that's where I feel their offensive depth will be the difference against Clinton.
We will see what happens as the playoffs unfold. And one way or the other I think it's going to be some great hockey. I just feel the North will end up as champion in both.
Sief
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Post by siefert on Feb 8, 2007 11:00:38 GMT -5
Here are how the 8 AA teams faired against each of the other teams in their division that made the AA.
South Clinton 7-0-2 Lucan 5-3-1 Tavistock 4-5-0 Hensall 2-6-1
North Lucknow 6-1-2 Shelburne 5-4-0 Palmerston 4-5-0 Elora 3-4-2
Using the system where the divisons play together for the entire playoffs it looks like Clinton & Lucknow would be on a crash course for the final.
However you can throw these numbers out the window Because there is no way to gauge the teams.
Should be good to see how the crossover works.
Sief
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