this week i’ll be talking a look at the three leagues that make up the canadian hockey league as they get set for the playoffs. just over two months away is the memorial cup, which this year will be hosted in kitchener, ontario.
starting out west, with the western hockey league. the whl has changed their playoff format this season, going with what most other leagues use these days. the top eight teams in each conference make the playoffs, with the top team in each division getting one of the top two spots in the conference.
all 16 playoff spots in the league have been clinched already. most teams have about six or seven games left in the 72-game schedule.
eastern conference
east division
in the east division, the regina pats lead the way with 86 points. they have five games remaining. the division is still wide open, with the brandon wheat kings(four points behind), moose jaw warriors(five points) and swift current broncos(five points) all still with a chance to win the division. all four of those teams have playoff spots already booked.
central division
in the central, there is a little more breathing room at the top, but not much. the calgary hitmen lead the way with 93 points. the lethbridge hurricanes are six points behind, but have two games in hand. the kootenay ice and medicine hat tigers are probably too far out for the division, but are headed to the playoffs as well.
western conference
b.c. division
there is no race for the division here. the 2007 memorial cup champion vancouver giants have run away with the division, with an 18 point lead. the kelowna rockets, chilliwack bruins and kamloops blazers are all headed to the playoffs. chilliwack and kelowna both have records well under .500, with both having won only one of their last ten games.
u.s. division
another close race in a very competitive division. the tri-city americans lead the way with 98 points. only four points behind and with one game in hand are the spokane chiefs. the seattle thunderbirds and everett silvertips both have records that would be good enough to challenge for other division wins, but will both have to settle with just getting into the playoffs.
the regular season doesn’t end for another two weeks, but the first round playoff pairings based on current standings would be…
eastern conference
calgary hitmen vs. swift current broncos
regina pats vs. moose jaw warriors
lethbridge hurricanes vs. brandon wheat kings
kootenay ice vs. medicine hat tigers
western conference
tri-city americans vs. kamloops blazers
vancouver giants vs. chilliwack bruins
spokane chiefs vs. everett silvertips
seattle thunderbirds vs. kelowna rockets
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