League News

2010 TWHL Playoffs "Who has the EDGE"

No. 1 Penalty Spot Slammers vs. No. 4 D’ Pelican Inn Flyers

Season series: The Slammers and Flyers were dead-even during the regular season 3-3.

Who has the Edge on Defense?   The Slammers have a veteran defensive of crew led by Zoltan Kosa, Ralf Dittmer, Struan Robertson and Peanut.  Robertson and Peanut are the shutdown defenseman with Kosa and Dittmer adding some nice offensive of punch to the mix.   The Flyers entire defensive crew is in disarray.  Captain Adrian Meyers will have his hands full but hopefully the Flyers late season pickups will surprise in the playoffs. 

EDGE:  Slammers

Who has the Edge on Forwards?  The Slammers have the league leading point leader Geoff McIntyre and have lots of other players who can put the puck in the net.  The Slammers are big and physical and this should pay major dividends in the playoffs.  The Flyers will led by Michael White and veterans like Scotty Murray.  The Flyers do not have a lot of offensive of depth but will the veterans step up in the playoffs?

EDGE: Slammers

Who has the Edge on Goaltending?  The Slammers and Flyers both have veteran goaltenders who are proven playoff contenders.   Clement Savard (Slammers) might not face enough shots to be even tested and Jason Cotsmire (Flyers) will have a huge task ahead of him.  The last two games the Slammers have outshot the Flyers 2 to 1.  Clement Savard and Jason Cotsmire will duel it out and it should be a low scoring series. Both goaltenders are solid but Savard has won the duel matchups in the regular season 9-7.  Based on the season matchup records  Savard gets the slight Edge.

EDGE:  Slammers

X- Factors

Michael White and the Flyers second line must step and score some big goals.  If the Flyers have a chance to win the series they need Michael White and to have the second line play a major role. 

Slammers, Zoltan Kosa, Dave Cote, Tar and Moo must step to support their leading scorer Geoff McIntyre.  The Slammers are deep and this will be the X-Factor for the Slammers.

Series Prediction:   Slammers in two

No. 2 Roadhouse Smokers vs. No. 3 BNH Hospital Blades

Season series: The Blades and Smokers were dead-locked during the regular season 3-3.

Who has the Edge on Defense?   The Smokers have a solid defensive of crew led by Peter Borjesson, Rob Taylor , Jason Tuckett and Henri Helantara.   Rob Taylor has been red hot blocking shots and scoring. The Blades have rough and tough Mark Ho Chun-Qui and solid veterans in Clint Towl, Kevin Hall and Jeab.  The Blades will miss the leading defensive player Beer due to season ending injury.  

EDGE:  Smokers

Who has the Edge on Forwards?  The Smokers have lots of depth and massive fire power.  The Smokers are led by Tor, Joe Doan, rookie Pierre Marc Chouinard and the rough and tough Craig Noon.  The Smokers overall team speed is the best in the league and the Blades will have to match this. The Blades Captain Todd Switzer is coming off one of his best years and must continue his hot hands into the playoffs.  David “Boomer Blomqvist” and Joe Lamantia will add the spark the Blades need to match the Smokers. 

EDGE: Smokers

Who has the Edge on Goaltending?  Dream (Smokers) is the goalie of the future in the TWHL and has been solid in the pipes all year.  Lance Parker (Blades) has a great season as well and will challenge the young goalie to the end.  Based on the season head to head records Dream has the Edge 8-5. So we will give the Edge to the Smokers.

EDGE:  Smokers

X- Factors

For the Smokers the X-Factors will be the Big Three of the Smokers Joe Doan, Tor and Rob Taylor.  Rob Taylor has been on fire and if the other two heat up look out the Smokers might be the team to beat.  The other X-Factor is the Smokers must stay out of the box in order to advance.

The Blades X-Factors will be how their defensive holds up against the high flying Smokers.  If they can slow down the Smokers high octane offense they have a chance.  The X-factor is the Blades role players must step and produce some garbage goals to keep pace with the Smokers. 

Series Prediction:  Smokers in Three