I know I’m a
bit late getting this to you, but we can catch up now and be ready to jump into
the ECHL Playoff picture.
The playoffs
started Monday and Tuesday nights with the Western Conference. The Ontario Reign
hosted the Utah Grizzlies. They won both games at home against the Grizzlies
5-2 and 7-2. I thought Ontario would take this series but I also thought Utah
would give more of a fight. There’s still more games to be played and the
Grizzlies aren’t out of it yet. They now go back to Utah to battle on the
Grizzlies’ home ice.
Idaho
defeated the Eagles in overtime in Boise Wednesday night 4-2 in their first
series’ game. The two teams play again tonight, Thursday, in the Steelheads
home arena. I’ll give Idaho the edge; they’re a little tougher and stronger
than Colorado.
All the
other matchups start Friday night, including the San Francisco Bulls game
against the Alaska Aces. Set in the Aces’ home arena in Anchorage, the Bulls
are true underdogs. Nothing about this series will be easy for the Bulls. The
Aces are experienced at post-season play and have won the Kelly Cup many times
previously. However, San Francisco’s unwillingness to ever give up may help
them go far and could bring an upset.
The Stockton
Thunder take on the Las Vegas Wrangler in Stockton. I’ll take Las Vegas for
this one. They have the experience and went to the finals last year, losing to
the Florida Everblades.
In the
Eastern Conference, the Reading Royals host the Greenville Road Warriors. As
much as I’d love to see an upset for the lowly Road Warriors, I see the Royals
taking this series.
Number two
seeded Cincinnati Cyclones play the Toledo Walleye. Something tells me if there
is an upset in the Eastern Conference, it would be in this matchup. If you
compare the numbers of these two teams, Toledo has a good chance of winning
this series.
The South is
well represented with the Gwinnett Gladiators versus the South Carolina
Stingrays. I’ll take Gwinnett on this one. The strength of their players will
be too much for South Carolina.
And finally,
the Florida Everblades host the Elmira Jackals. Florida will win these games
and go far in the playoffs. They won the Kelly last year and could be favorites
again this season.
My picks for
the finals: As much as I would love it to see the Bulls winning it all, I don’t
think that’s likely in their first year. So, realistically, I see Florida vs
Ontario in the Finals with Florida winning.
So, now it’s
time to sit back and see what happens. And root for your favorite team!
GO BULLS!
