The road to Round 2 in the Western Hockey League was easier for some teams than it was for others. And some of the usual suspects had big impacts for their teams in the first round while others came in with key performances in important games.
Here is a tale-of-the-tape for the four second round series before the action begins Friday.
Eastern Conference
Prince Albert Raiders vs. Saskatoon Blades
Head-to-head: Prince Albert 6-2-0-0
Last meeting: Prince Albert beat Saskatoon 3-1 on March 16
Prince Albert Player to Watch: A great regular season continued into the playoffs for goaltender Ian Scott (Toronto Maple Leafs). The veteran netminder surrendered just seven goals in the Raiders’ four-game sweep of the Red Deer Rebels.
Saskatoon Player to Watch: Overage winger Max Gerlach had five goals in the Blades’ four-game sweep of the Moose Jaw Warriors in Round 1. The veteran scored a pair of game-winners and the opening goal in two of the games against the Warriors.
Edmonton Oil Kings vs. Calgary Hitmen
Head-to-head: Edmonton 7-0-1-0
Last meeting: Edmonton beat Calgary 3-1 on March 17
Edmonton Player to Watch: Overage forward Vince Loschiavo had four goals and seven points in six games in the opening round against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Six of those points came in the final three games of the series.
Calgary Player to Watch: Defenceman Dakota Krebs, 20, tied for the team lead in scoring with seven points in Round 1 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes and sits third in defencemen scoring. The fourth-year blue liner had 25 points in 61 regular season games this year.
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Western Conference
Everett Silvertips vs. Spokane Chiefs
Head-to-head: Everett 6-0-1-1
Last meeting: Everett beat Spokane 3-1 on March 5
Everett Player to Watch: Draft eligible goaltender Dustin Wolf posted a miniscule 1.60 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage in Round 1 against the Tri-City Americans.
Spokane Player to Watch: Overage forward Riley Woods had three multi-point games in Round 1 against the Portland Winterhawks, including a two-goal performance in the series-clinching game.
Vancouver Giants vs. Victoria Royals
Head-to-head: Vancouver 6-2-1-1
Last meeting: Vancouver beat Victoria 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 24
Vancouver Player to Watch: Overage forward Davis Koch led all Giants in scoring in the opening round with one goal and 10 points in six games against the Seattle Thunderbirds. His 10 points are already a career-high in the playoffs.
Victoria Player to Watch: Brandon Cutler had three goals in six games in the opening round against the Kamloops Blazers but came through with a pair of goals in the Royals’ pivotal Game 6 victory.
