WHL Eastern Conference

travellingman345 · 01-18-2012, 11:30 AM

So we are now past the half way point of the season and the Eastern Conference is in a horse race. Besides Edmonton leading the conference. Currently as of January 18, 2011. 2nd to 7th are separated by only 4 points. It will make for a very interesting and exciting finish to the season.

travellingman345 · 01-23-2012, 01:13 PM

Everybody just keeps winning in that conference. Calgary has won 10 of 11 games and still sits in 7th place.

The top 11 teams in the East are better than 8th place Victoria in the West. And last place Prince Albert is only 2 points back of Victoria with a game in hand.

WheatiesHockey · 01-26-2012, 12:42 PM

Right now the Calgary Hitmen are the WHL's hottest team and climbing up the standings ladder in a very tough conference.

travellingman345 · 01-26-2012, 12:59 PM

The East is so evenly matched. Hard to gain ground on anybody. Calgary is now tied for 5th with Saskatoon. Big weekend coming up for the Hitmen. 3 games in 3 nights and against 3 tough teams. Friday - Vancouver, Saturday - Medicine Hat and Sunday Tri Cities.

WheatiesHockey · 01-26-2012, 01:26 PM

The competitive balance is certainly there in the East Central WHL this year.
Momentum wise the Calgary Hitmen are becoming unbeatable heading down the stretch.
Right now they can pretty much whoop any team that they play.

travellingman345 · 01-26-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheatiesHockey

The competitive balance is certainly there in the East Central WHL this year.
Momentum wise the Calgary Hitmen are becoming unbeatable heading down the stretch.
Right now they can pretty much whoop any team that they play.

I hope it continues

as I am a huge Hitmen fan. It kinds of reminds me what Kelowna did down the stretch in 2008-2009 when they ultimately beat Calgary in the finals. They became hot at the right time down the stretch and then knocked off some really good team in the playoffs before beating one of the best teams in WHL history (2008-2009 Hitmen).

However, one team that has their number this year is Medicine Hat. Actually 2 players from the Hat, Etem and Bunz have killed them this year.

goaliedad29 · 01-27-2012, 01:03 PM

After watching the Edmonton vs. Tri-City game this week, that looks to me like a preview of the WHL final.

travellingman345 · 01-27-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goaliedad29

After watching the Edmonton vs. Tri-City game this week, that looks to me like a preview of the WHL final.

That could certainly happen. Both teams are playing incredible this season.

Kamloops is another team in the West that looks really good.

travellingman345 · 01-30-2012, 10:36 AM

Okay, the Hitmen are for real. This weekend was the biggest test of the season. 3 games in 3 nights vs some top notch opponents. Vancouver, Medicine Hat and Tri Cities. They came out of it with flying colors. With 3 wins. 2 to 0 over Van, 5 to 2 over MH and 4 to 1 over TC.

Calgary is now in 3rd in the East and is only 3 behind MJ for 2nd. Incredible streak 14 wins in their last 15 games.

WheatiesHockey · 01-30-2012, 02:30 PM

There are 21 games left in the regular season so the Hitmen still stand a chance to finish first overall in the league and move into the top ten CHL rankings.

travellingman345 · 01-30-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheatiesHockey

There are 21 games left in the regular season so the Hitmen still stand a chance to finish first overall in the league and move into the top ten CHL rankings.

If you would have asked me this around Christmas. I would have been happy for them just to make the playoffs. Now my expectations have risen 10 fold. I think they can catch MJ for sure, Edmonton might be tough to catch in the East, but it sure makes for some exciting hockey.

WheatiesHockey · 01-31-2012, 12:03 AM

First overall in the regular season does not guarantee anything in the playoffs as all of us know.
Right now the Hitmen are the real deal and have a lot of momentum heading into the stretch. It will take a monumental effort to stop that streak now.

travellingman345 · 03-19-2012, 01:16 PM

Should be an epic playoffs.

I can't believe all of the place changes in the east on the last day of the season.

So competitive.

WheatiesHockey · 03-19-2012, 02:04 PM

The WHL playoffs are swift and brutal events, lots of travel, tight scheduling and no rest or prep time. Calgary was 27-10 in the last half of the season which is quite respectable. Not quite the the calibre of some of the Hitmen teams we saw over the past decade but a pretty decent team.
The Hitmen team is healthy and the coaching staff roll all four lines over the boards.

travellingman345 · 03-19-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WheatiesHockey

The WHL playoffs are swift and brutal events, lots of travel, tight scheduling and no rest or prep time. Calgary was 27-10 in the last half of the season which is quite respectable. Not quite the the calibre of some of the Hitmen teams we saw over the past decade but a pretty decent team.
The Hitmen team is healthy and the coaching staff roll all four lines over the boards.

The Wheaties had a really good finish to the year as well. Like always, should be a good series between the Hitmen and Wheatkings. I expect a high scoring series and a little bit of nastyness.

I expect Kootenay to put a great series vs Edmonton too. Lieuwen could be the series hero.

Medicine Hat and Saskatoon and Regina and Moose Jaw. Could be a toss up. Each can beat each other on any give night.