knights vs blades: What to expect
May 17th, 2013
LONDON - The Saskatoon Blades will be out to prove that they belong amongst the CHL's elite when they battle the London Knights Friday evening from the Credit Union Centre, in Saskatoon.
It'll be the first game in 51 days for the Blades who were swept in the first round WHL playoffs by the Medicine Hat Tigers. They went 44-22-2-4 in the regular-season, and 0-4 in the playoffs. Last season, they were also swept 0-4 in the playoffs, also by Medicine Hat. The year before, they won their first series 4-2 over the Prince Albert Raiders, before being swept 0-4 once again in the second round against the Kootenay Ice.
The Knights meanwhile come off a four day layoff after punching their ticket to the 2013 Memorial Cup in dramatic fashion. London, led by draft eligible Bo Horvat's OHL winner with 0.1 second left to play, will be up against the best of the best - especially in the form of the Halifax Mooseheads and the Portland Winterhawks.
London has experience, coming one goal away from winning it all last year. They return much of that team this season which could prove to be crucial. And their led by their own trio of top draft prospects - Horvat, Max Domi and Nikita Zadorov.
The Winterhawks, a team in similar mold to the Knights', boast top 2013 draft prospect Seth Jones. The Winterhawks will have plenty to prove after being slapped by sanctions for 'player benefit violations.'
The WHL stripped Portland of its first five bantam picks in the 2013 draft, plus their first-round picks from 2014 to 2017. The team was also fined $200,000 and coach and general manager Mike Johnston was suspended for the remainder of the season playoffs included.
The Winterhawks also made it to their third straight WHL final this season, finally hoisting the title after two years of heart break. A Memorial Cup would certainly 'double the joy,' especially after their off ice woes.
The Halifax Mooseheads enter the tournament after one of their most memorable seasons ever. They finally got their hands on the QMJHL title, after dominating their opposition: 58-6-3-1 in the regular season, and 16-1 in the playoffs. That's just seven regulation losses all season.
If Seth Jones doesn't go first overall in the NHL draft, it'll likely be Nathan MacKinnon or Jonathan Drouin, both on the Mooseheads roster.
The London Knights' game against the Saskatoon Blades is must win for both teams. Defeat to either side would mean trying to salvage the season against the Winterhawks and the Mooseheads - a daunting task indeed.
This promises to be a tournament where more than the Memorial Cup is at stake. There’s also the possibility of players making a final jump up the draft board, even for middle round draft projections. This Memorial Cup is wide open, anything can and likely will happen. Friday's opener will provide a bigger picture. Saskatoon is the dark horse heading in, but with home support, playing in their own backyard might be the edge they need.
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Knights Opposition for the 2013 Memorial Cup
Saskatoon Blades
— After being swept in the first round of the WHL playoffs, Saskatoon will be well-rested. They're the only team with no top 30 NHL draft prospect to boast, giving them experience. The 51 day layoff between games however, could prove to be a double edged sword.
— Key players: RW Josh Nicholls (85 points), G Andrey Makarov (.919 save percentage), D Duncan Siemens (32 points), D Dalton Thrower (27), RW Matej Stransky (85 points)
Portland Winterhawks
— Early tournament favourites, the Winterhawks boast a strong defence led by Seth Jones and Derrick Pouliot. Offensive firepower comes in the form of Nicholas Petan, Brendan Leipsic and Ty Rattie. If they’re on their game, Portland will be difficult to take down. They already have two Memorial Cups - 1983 and 1998.
— Key players: RW Ty Rattie (110 points), D Derrick Pouliot (45 points), C Nicolas Petan (120 points), D Seth Jones (56 points)
Halifax Mooseheads
— The Mooseheads head into the Memorial Cup looking to complete a hat-trick. QMJHL teams Saint John (2011) and Shawinigan (2012) lifted the Memorial Cup in the past, so pressure will be high. As a relatively young squad, the Moosheads will need to dig deep against stiff competition, especially after not really being tested in the QMJHL playoffs. They did however finish the season as the top ranked CHL team.
— Key players: RW Nathan MacKinnon (75 points), LW Jonathan Drouin (105 points), RW Martin Frk (84 points), G Zachary Fucale (.909 save percentage)
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LONDON - The Saskatoon Blades will be out to prove that they belong amongst the CHL's elite when they battle the London Knights Friday evening from the Credit Union Centre, in Saskatoon.
It'll be the first game in 51 days for the Blades who were swept in the first round WHL playoffs by the Medicine Hat Tigers. They went 44-22-2-4 in the regular-season, and 0-4 in the playoffs. Last season, they were also swept 0-4 in the playoffs, also by Medicine Hat. The year before, they won their first series 4-2 over the Prince Albert Raiders, before being swept 0-4 once again in the second round against the Kootenay Ice.
The Knights meanwhile come off a four day layoff after punching their ticket to the 2013 Memorial Cup in dramatic fashion. London, led by draft eligible Bo Horvat's OHL winner with 0.1 second left to play, will be up against the best of the best - especially in the form of the Halifax Mooseheads and the Portland Winterhawks.
London has experience, coming one goal away from winning it all last year. They return much of that team this season which could prove to be crucial. And their led by their own trio of top draft prospects - Horvat, Max Domi and Nikita Zadorov.
The Winterhawks, a team in similar mold to the Knights', boast top 2013 draft prospect Seth Jones. The Winterhawks will have plenty to prove after being slapped by sanctions for 'player benefit violations.'
The WHL stripped Portland of its first five bantam picks in the 2013 draft, plus their first-round picks from 2014 to 2017. The team was also fined $200,000 and coach and general manager Mike Johnston was suspended for the remainder of the season playoffs included.
The Winterhawks also made it to their third straight WHL final this season, finally hoisting the title after two years of heart break. A Memorial Cup would certainly 'double the joy,' especially after their off ice woes.
The Halifax Mooseheads enter the tournament after one of their most memorable seasons ever. They finally got their hands on the QMJHL title, after dominating their opposition: 58-6-3-1 in the regular season, and 16-1 in the playoffs. That's just seven regulation losses all season.
If Seth Jones doesn't go first overall in the NHL draft, it'll likely be Nathan MacKinnon or Jonathan Drouin, both on the Mooseheads roster.
The London Knights' game against the Saskatoon Blades is must win for both teams. Defeat to either side would mean trying to salvage the season against the Winterhawks and the Mooseheads - a daunting task indeed.
This promises to be a tournament where more than the Memorial Cup is at stake. There’s also the possibility of players making a final jump up the draft board, even for middle round draft projections. This Memorial Cup is wide open, anything can and likely will happen. Friday's opener will provide a bigger picture. Saskatoon is the dark horse heading in, but with home support, playing in their own backyard might be the edge they need.
----
Knights Opposition for the 2013 Memorial Cup
Saskatoon Blades
— After being swept in the first round of the WHL playoffs, Saskatoon will be well-rested. They're the only team with no top 30 NHL draft prospect to boast, giving them experience. The 51 day layoff between games however, could prove to be a double edged sword.
— Key players: RW Josh Nicholls (85 points), G Andrey Makarov (.919 save percentage), D Duncan Siemens (32 points), D Dalton Thrower (27), RW Matej Stransky (85 points)
Portland Winterhawks
— Early tournament favourites, the Winterhawks boast a strong defence led by Seth Jones and Derrick Pouliot. Offensive firepower comes in the form of Nicholas Petan, Brendan Leipsic and Ty Rattie. If they’re on their game, Portland will be difficult to take down. They already have two Memorial Cups - 1983 and 1998.
— Key players: RW Ty Rattie (110 points), D Derrick Pouliot (45 points), C Nicolas Petan (120 points), D Seth Jones (56 points)
Halifax Mooseheads
— The Mooseheads head into the Memorial Cup looking to complete a hat-trick. QMJHL teams Saint John (2011) and Shawinigan (2012) lifted the Memorial Cup in the past, so pressure will be high. As a relatively young squad, the Moosheads will need to dig deep against stiff competition, especially after not really being tested in the QMJHL playoffs. They did however finish the season as the top ranked CHL team.
— Key players: RW Nathan MacKinnon (75 points), LW Jonathan Drouin (105 points), RW Martin Frk (84 points), G Zachary Fucale (.909 save percentage)
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