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02-28-2008, 07:35 AM
Playoff predictions
Posted By Bill Potrecz
Posted 2 hours ago
The first round of the Golden Horseshoe playoffs is normally the easiest to predict, but this season appears to be an exception.
With parity in the league this year - only 17 points separated sixth place from first - the post-season promises upsets.
We've already picked the Thorold Blackhawks in four over the Wheatfield Blades in our Around the Golden Horseshoe column Wednesday, so here are the rest of our picks for the remaining three series.
St. Catharines vs. Stoney Creek
The Falcons, 28-14-5-2, narrowly missed out on second place and now must take on a solid Warriors squad, which finished in sixth spot at 23-22-1-3.
St. Catharines won five of seven contests against Stoney Creek this season and should move on, although it won't be an easy ride.
Riley Sheahan and Daultan Leveille give the Falcons a must-see, future-NHL 1-2 punch to go along with a deep roster of forwards. Their defence and goaltender Steele De Fazio also stack up well.
The Warriors have some top-notch offensive players of their own led by Andrew Dovey, Mike Kavanagh, Adam Montgomery and Jordan Gignac, but permitted a whopping 43 more goals than the Falcons. That could be Stoney Creek's downfall.
Prediction: St. Catharines in five.
Niagara Falls vs. Port Colborne
The Canucks, 29-15-5, placed second while the Sailors, 14-32-1-2, ended up seventh.
Niagara Falls took five of seven meetings this season and shouldn't have too much trouble advancing to the next round.
The Canucks feature league most valuable player Ryan Ludzik in goal and a solid, if unspectacular offence, led by the likes of speedy Mike Kusy and Antony Candeloro.
The Sailors also have a strong goalkeeper in Brendan Sullivan, but have had terrible trouble scoring this season, finishing with just 151 goals.
Prediction: Canucks in four.
Welland vs. Fort Erie
Easily the best match-up of the first round and also the toughest to predict.
The series began Wednesday.
The Meteors had their best regular season in recent memory with a 27-17-3-2 record to finish in fourth place, one point ahead of the Junior Canadians.
The regular season was evenly matched as well with the Meteors holding a slim 4-3 margin.
Not only should this series be the closest, it also promises to be the most entertaining.
Both teams have more than enough firepower - the Meteors scored the most power-play goals with 91 while the Junior Canadians led the loop with in scoring with 257.
Each team permits too many goals, although they often get away with it thanks to their superior offences.
The key to the series will be Fort Erie goaltender Jeff Broeker. The backstop injured his leg late in the season and the Meteors suffered substantially without him.
If Broeker can approach the level of play he maintained during the regular season, the Meteors will win. If not, watch for the Junior Canadians to move on.
Prediction: Fort Erie in seven.
Final attendance figures
Following are the final regular season attendance figures (average per game) for the eight Golden Horseshoe teams. The numbers are supplied by the teams.
1. Niagara Falls 781; 2. Welland 758; 3. St. Catharines 702; 4. Thorold 457; 5. Port Colborne 326; 6. Fort Erie 319; 7. Stoney Creek 215; 8. Wheatfield 190.
Cudos to Koudys
Former Thorold Blackhawks forward Joey Koudys, now at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, was named College Hockey America rookie of the week for the second consecutive week.
Koudys has two goals and seven points in 27 games for the Chargers, who are 6-19-3 overall and wrap up their regular season March 7-8.
Another former Thorold player, defenceman Brandon Roshko, leads the Chargers in scoring with 15 assists.
Joey's little brother Dan, also a former Hawk, had a solid season with Burlington of the Provincial Tier 2 League with 17 goals and 48 points. The Cougars were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in three straight.
Falcons awards banquet
The Falcons will hold their 39th annual awards banquet Friday, May 9, at the Canadian Polish Hall, 43 Facer Street. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at Falcon home games.
Article ID# 921767
Posted By Bill Potrecz
Posted 2 hours ago
The first round of the Golden Horseshoe playoffs is normally the easiest to predict, but this season appears to be an exception.
With parity in the league this year - only 17 points separated sixth place from first - the post-season promises upsets.
We've already picked the Thorold Blackhawks in four over the Wheatfield Blades in our Around the Golden Horseshoe column Wednesday, so here are the rest of our picks for the remaining three series.
St. Catharines vs. Stoney Creek
The Falcons, 28-14-5-2, narrowly missed out on second place and now must take on a solid Warriors squad, which finished in sixth spot at 23-22-1-3.
St. Catharines won five of seven contests against Stoney Creek this season and should move on, although it won't be an easy ride.
Riley Sheahan and Daultan Leveille give the Falcons a must-see, future-NHL 1-2 punch to go along with a deep roster of forwards. Their defence and goaltender Steele De Fazio also stack up well.
The Warriors have some top-notch offensive players of their own led by Andrew Dovey, Mike Kavanagh, Adam Montgomery and Jordan Gignac, but permitted a whopping 43 more goals than the Falcons. That could be Stoney Creek's downfall.
Prediction: St. Catharines in five.
Niagara Falls vs. Port Colborne
The Canucks, 29-15-5, placed second while the Sailors, 14-32-1-2, ended up seventh.
Niagara Falls took five of seven meetings this season and shouldn't have too much trouble advancing to the next round.
The Canucks feature league most valuable player Ryan Ludzik in goal and a solid, if unspectacular offence, led by the likes of speedy Mike Kusy and Antony Candeloro.
The Sailors also have a strong goalkeeper in Brendan Sullivan, but have had terrible trouble scoring this season, finishing with just 151 goals.
Prediction: Canucks in four.
Welland vs. Fort Erie
Easily the best match-up of the first round and also the toughest to predict.
The series began Wednesday.
The Meteors had their best regular season in recent memory with a 27-17-3-2 record to finish in fourth place, one point ahead of the Junior Canadians.
The regular season was evenly matched as well with the Meteors holding a slim 4-3 margin.
Not only should this series be the closest, it also promises to be the most entertaining.
Both teams have more than enough firepower - the Meteors scored the most power-play goals with 91 while the Junior Canadians led the loop with in scoring with 257.
Each team permits too many goals, although they often get away with it thanks to their superior offences.
The key to the series will be Fort Erie goaltender Jeff Broeker. The backstop injured his leg late in the season and the Meteors suffered substantially without him.
If Broeker can approach the level of play he maintained during the regular season, the Meteors will win. If not, watch for the Junior Canadians to move on.
Prediction: Fort Erie in seven.
Final attendance figures
Following are the final regular season attendance figures (average per game) for the eight Golden Horseshoe teams. The numbers are supplied by the teams.
1. Niagara Falls 781; 2. Welland 758; 3. St. Catharines 702; 4. Thorold 457; 5. Port Colborne 326; 6. Fort Erie 319; 7. Stoney Creek 215; 8. Wheatfield 190.
Cudos to Koudys
Former Thorold Blackhawks forward Joey Koudys, now at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, was named College Hockey America rookie of the week for the second consecutive week.
Koudys has two goals and seven points in 27 games for the Chargers, who are 6-19-3 overall and wrap up their regular season March 7-8.
Another former Thorold player, defenceman Brandon Roshko, leads the Chargers in scoring with 15 assists.
Joey's little brother Dan, also a former Hawk, had a solid season with Burlington of the Provincial Tier 2 League with 17 goals and 48 points. The Cougars were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in three straight.
Falcons awards banquet
The Falcons will hold their 39th annual awards banquet Friday, May 9, at the Canadian Polish Hall, 43 Facer Street. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at Falcon home games.
Article ID# 921767