Oilers Prospects on Display in CHL Playoffs

For weary Edmonton Oiler fans, the CHL post-season has arrived just in time. An extremely large number of Oiler prospects will be playing in the post-season in hopes of winning league championships and ultimately the Memorial Cup.
 

Jeremie Blain and Olivier Roy both play for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. They’re involved with Victoriaville Tigres in what could be an outstanding series. The Titan finished 6th overall (Tigres 11th) and should win the day. Roy and Blain are important members of the Acadie-Bathurst club and should have a big say in any success that comes their way this spring.

Ryan Martindale and his Ottawa 67’s start their playoff series tomorrow against Sudbury. Ottawa finised 2nd in their conference and are an offensive powerhouse and had 6 players finish with 20 goals or more.

Curtis Hamilton and his loaded Saskatoon Blades got lucky with their travel schedule in the first round. Saskatoon hosts the PA Raiders in game one of their series tomorrow night. The Blades scored 310 goals and should have no problems with Prince Albert.

Kristians Pelss and Cameron Abney are in action with the Edmonton Oil Kings against the stingy Red Deer Rebels. This will be the feature series on Shaw Cable 10 to start the playoffs and game one goes tonight on your television at 7:30. That series should be a showcase for possible #1 overall Ryan-Nugent Hopkins and is worth watching.

Tyler Bunz and the Medicine Hat Tigers drew a tough assignment in Brandon but should win the day. Bunz and his impressive .919SP (2nd in the WHL) have a big edge in goals against (275 against Brandon, 196 against the Tigers) but the Wheat Kings closed very well and are a dangerous team. Tyler Pitlick, Edmonton’s high 2nd round pick a year ago, was injured during the regular season.

Drew Czerwonka and the Kootenay Ice will faceoff against Moose Jaw in the first round. The Ice had the better regular season and can score goals, but that crazy crushed can in Moose Jaw is a great equalizer. If you’ve never been to a Moose Jaw home game and are in the area over the next week, check it out. This is the final season for that arena and it’s been around (I believe) since the 1950’s.

Martin Marincin and the Prince George Cougars are decided underdogs against Kelowna but this is junior hockey and you never know. We should pay special attention to Marincin as he’s a strong candidate to turn pro this coming fall.