The Web Hockey League News

The Web Hockey League News Volume 16 05-13-2001

Table of Contents

1) Contributing Writers
2) Players of the Round
3) Team News
4) Playoff Report
5) Olympic Update

All items should be sent to:
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Contributing Writers

Mike Hebert
Chris Kubinec
Lee McEwen
Jon Lemoine
(Yet another great turnout, remind me why I'm bothering?)

Players of the Week

               Player               GP   G   A PTS +/- PP SH GW GT    S PIM   PCT
Stallions:     Eric Lindros          5   6   6   12   9   4   0   1 0   21    2 28.6

               Player               GP   G   A PTS +/- PP SH GW GT    S PIM   PCT
Bulls:         Shane Doan            6   3   4    7   1   2   0   0 0   13    2 23.1
               Goalie                GP   MIN   AVG W   L   T EN SO GA   SA PCT
               Jeff Hackett           5   300 2.00 2   3   0   2   0 10 164 .939

               Goalie                GP   MIN   AVG W   L   T EN SO GA   SA PCT
Vikings:       Jamie Storr            7   420 2.43 3   4   0   0   0 17 192 .911

               Player               GP   G   A PTS +/- PP SH GW GT    S PIM   PCT
Icedogs:       Jason Allison         5   6   1    7   5   3   0   2 0   19   15 31.6
               Goalie                GP   MIN   AVG W   L   T EN SO GA   SA PCT
               Ed Belfour             5   300 2.40 4   1   0   0   0 12 141 .915

Team News

Toronto, ON - The Stallions are preparing for their next round against the Mississauga Icedogs. This is a club that has been a thorn in the side of the Stallions organization the whole season. Not so much due to competitiveness, but because their GM, Jon Lemoine, has been just an annoying little gnat. Mississauga papers have been quoting this flamboyantly yappy owner for months, and he always seems to say something dopey. Like referring to the Stallions as the geriatric club of the WHL, then going out and making his team just as old. Or better yet, like going out and getting Raymond Bourque for a playoff run, then trading away the two highest scorers on his club (Yzerman & Fleury) for future all-star players. His "Hurry up and Wait" managing has his players questioning their place on the club, and his sanity. Mostly his tirades have been directed at the more successful GM's in the league; Pongratz, Kinnaird and Howe. But his rantings in the last round about the Seagulls was just another chapter in his story.

The next round is for real and these two clubs truly hate each other. Familiarity breeds hatred, and these two clubs come in with enough hate already. This could be a very ugly series if the officials don't keep things under control. The underlying story line in this round is "Cujo VS Belfour". The finals last year saw Cujo and Belfour pitted head to head, and Cujo was winning the battle. The Express had to pull the Eagle out of the pipes and insert Ron Tugnutt in order to win the series. Belfour would like a chance to redeem himself, while Cujo wants to prove it was no fluke.

Edmonton, AB - For the third straight season the Edmonton Vikings will watch the rest of
the WHL playoffs on television after a Game 7 defeat.

Why? 13 goals in 7 games!

At least they weren't dominated by Andrei Bashkirov this year.

The off-season will bring about more changes but for now, it's another
long summer of mourning in Edmonton.

Playoff Report

The opening round is over and there was only one real upset. Although this reporter predicted it, few believed that Des Moines would put it together fast enough to beat Boston. But as it was stated here, GM Kolsrud made the best moves at the deadline and his team did indeed get it together. These road warriors took three games in Boston to upset the heavily favoured Dropkicks. After losing two heartbreakers in overtime at home, they turned around and won the final three games of the series and won game 7 in commanding style by a 5-0 score.

The Express manhandled the Islanders in their series sweep. The Islanders held things close in games one and two, losing game one in overtime and game two by just one goal. But when the series went to Victoria, the club tried too hard to impress the fans and lost 4-2 and 6-3. Biggest disappointment had to be Brett Hull's one assist all series while the Express' top line continues to dominate play.

Edmonton's Chiasson jinx continue as they fall 4-3 to the Krushers. Chiasson tragically died after game 6 in Edmonton's first round during the 1997-1998 playoffs, and the Vikings have never left the first round since. As for the series? Losing games one and two while scoring just one goal in each game hurt morale, but they did manage to tie things up at home allowing only three goals in the two games themselves. They took the all-important game 5 on the road and in overtime too. They came home trying to put this series to bed, but fell short in a 2-1 game. Heading back to Chicago they had to believe they stood a chance, all they had to do was duplicate game 5, but the Krushers had the momentum. Chicago finished this series with a 3-0 win in front of their fans, who went wild.

Vancouver got a real scare in the opening round. Expected to beat Almont in three games, they needed six to end it. After taking a 3-0 lead in games, Vancouver fell asleep and allowed Almont to win the next two before finally ending it in overtime of game six. Cudo's to the Raiders for taking the Voodoo so far.

The Mississauga Icedogs, in the ugliest first round -- not so much on the ice, but in the papers -- quickly dispatched the Southampton Seagulls 4-1. They took the first three games with relative ease, allowing just 4 goals against in the three games. The Seagulls fought back in game four at home winning 6-3, sparking a mini tirade in both local papers. Both GM's were insulting each others clubs, it was great. But the outmatched 'Gulls were quickly dispatched in game 5 in Mississauga.

Quebec City started very slow, but rebounded to take this series. Oakville was missing their top defenceman, and still managed to take the first two games on the road! The Corinthians managed to turn it around in game three, winning in Oakville and in overtime 3-2. That loss seemed to rattle the Bulls and rookie GM Kubinec as the team lost the next three games in order to lose the series 4-2. Losing Hackett in game 5 was the worst blow, but game four was the pivotal game in this series. Had Oakville won I truly believe they could have taken the series, but the veteran Corinthian club was not to be denied.

Chicoutimi made short work of the other Mississauga team, the Vipers. The heavily favoured Sparrows split at home then took three straight to take the series 4-1. The Vipers were one of the hottest teams down the stretch in the regular season, and looked ready to give the Sparrows a real run, but fell apart at home losing both games.

Toronto also made short work of their match, the Montreal Juggernaughts. The Stallions took the first three games by a combined score of 17-6. Montreal managed one win at home, but could not completely solve the Cujo puzzle. Returning to Toronto, the Stallions finished the series in 5 games. Toronto was a one line wrecking machine, and will need more balanced scoring for the next round. Montreal was simply out-matched this round, but still managed to put up a good fight.

So the second round is upon us, and the matchups are:

Matchups

#4 Mississauga Icedogs      vs #1 Toronto Stallions
#3 Quebec City Corinthians vs #2 Chicoutimi Sparrows

#7 Des Moines Dominators    vs #1 Vancouver Voodoo
#4 Chi-town Krushers        vs #3 Rocky Mountain Express

Last Rounds Previews Previewed!

Jon Lemoine picked in all 8 series; Winners: 100% Games: 50% Overall: 75%

Series Winner Games

Stallions/Juggernaughts Right Wrong

Sparrows/Vipers Right Right

Corinthians/Bulls Right Right

Icedogs/Seagulls Right Wrong

Voodoo/Raiders Right Wrong

Dropkicks/Dominators Right Right

Express/Islanders Right Wrong

Krushers/Vikings Right Right

This reporter picked in all 8 series; Winners: 75% Games: 38% Overall: 56%

Series Winner Games

Stallions/Juggernaughts Right Right

Sparrows/Vipers Right Wrong

Corinthians/Bulls Right Right

Icedogs/Seagulls Wrong Wrong

Voodoo/Raiders Right Wrong

Dropkicks/Dominators Right Right

Express/Islanders Right Wrong

Krushers/Vikings Wrong Wrong

Chris Kubinec picked in all 8 series; Winners: 75% Games: 38% Overall: 56%

Series Winner Games

Stallions/Juggernaughts Right Wrong

Sparrows/Vipers Right Wrong

Corinthians/Bulls Right Wrong

Icedogs/Seagulls Right Right

Voodoo/Raiders Right Wrong

Dropkicks/Dominators Wrong Wrong

Express/Islanders Right Right

Krushers/Vikings Wrong Right

Dave Randork picked in just 4 series; Winners: 75% Games: 25% Overall: 50%

Series Winner Games

Voodoo/Raiders Right Right

Dropkicks/Dominators Wrong Wrong

Express/Islanders Right Wrong

Krushers/Vikings Right Wrong

Round Two Previews

Toronto based Preview

Wales Matchups

#1 Toronto Stallions   vs   #4 Mississauga Icedogs
Season Series : Toronto wins 4-2-0
Prev. Playoff : Never Met
All-Time Record: Toronto wins 15-8-1
My Prediction : Toronto win 4-2
- Toronto's scoring will balance out, everyone will contribute.
- Toronto and Mississauga both have 4 regulars slumping, and 1 streaking.
- Toronto has owned the 'Dogs, finished season series with a 7-0 win.

#2 Chicoutimi Sparrows   vs   #3 Quebec City Corinthians
Season Series : Tied 3-3-0
Prev. Playoff : 1999-2000(5) --> Quebec City wins 4-1
                 1996-1997(2) --> Quebec City wins 4-3
All-Time Record: Quebec City wins 14-10-2
My Prediction : Quebec City win 4-2
- Both previous playoff meetings were Quebec wins, basically the same teams.
- Quebec City got their warning in round one with the Bulls.
- Chicoutimi has 2 players slumping and 2 streaking.
- Quebec City has 7 players slumping, and 4 streaking.

Campbell Matchups

#1 Vancouver Voodoo   vs   #7 Des Moines Dominators
Season Series : Vancouver wins 2-1-0
Prev. Playoff : Never met
All-Time Record: Vancouver wins 13-4-2
My Prediction : Vancouver win 4-3
- Although I call for the 'Doo to win, this could be another upset.
- Vancouver has 4 players slumping and 3 streaking. Forsberg is back.
- Des Moines has 4 players streaking and 2 slumping.

#3 Rocky Mountain Express   vs   #4 Chi-Town Krushers
Season Series : Tied 1-1-1
Prev. Playoff : 1999-2000(5) --> Rocky Mountain wins 4-0
All-Time Record: Rocky Mountain wins 11-4-3
My Prediction : Rocky Mountain win 4-1
- Express are on a roll, hard to stop a rolling locomotive.
- Krushers have 2 players slumping and 2 streaking.
- Krushers struggled to 7 games against the Vikings, Express are way better.

Oakville based Preview

==================
*WALES CONFERENCE*
==================

Toronto(1) vs Mississauga(4)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO: The Stallions have many players in the middle of slumps right now so they are a little more vulnerable than they had been in round one. Lindros and Sakic will be expected to step up big in this round and carry this team past the Icedogs. I expect LW'er Miro Satan to have a big series as well, and with Cujo backstopping the Stallions they undoubtedly have a great team.
MISSISSAUGA: The Icedogs also have several players slumping and this is definitely not something that they needed against the Stallions. The 'Dogs will be tested very early in this series and with the deadline deals that saw the likes of Yzerman and others leave town they will not have enough fire power to overtake the Stallions. If this series is to be interesting than Deadmarsh and Allison will have to be amazing, but this is not likely to happen since Toronto will be keying in on them.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: (TOR) Eric Lindros, Miroslav Satan, Teppo Numminen.
                  (MISS) Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh, Sean Hill.

PREDICTION: Stallions win 4-2
===============================================================================
Chicoutimi(2) vs Quebec City(3)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICOUTIMI: The Sparrows have many talented players on their roster right now. The key for the Sparrows will be for them to shut down the Corinthians first line, and capitalize on opportunities from the transition game. Laperriere and Bordeleau will have to punish the Corinthian centres every night if the Sparrows are too come out victorious. Also watch out for Turgeon, who is always a dangerous threat.
QUEBEC CITY: The Corinthians still have yet to play the way that they are capable of, and this is mainly due to the fact their first line hasn't found that consistent scoring touch yet. I feel that Sundin, Tkachuk, and Jagr will have a tough time this series, but that they are ready for the challenge that the fans have given them. Theodore showed many that he is still inexperienced and for the Corinths sake they need him on top of his game this round, especially with all of the slumping defensemen on this team right now.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: (CHI) Pierre Turgeon, Rene Corbet, Marc Denis.
                  (QUE) Mats Sundin, Jaromir Jagr, Jose Theodore.

PREDICTION: Corinthians win 4-3
===============================================================================

=====================
*CAMPBELL CONFERENCE*
=====================

Vancouver(1) vs Des Moines(7)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VANCOUVER: In the first round the Voodoo showed the world that they were not as mentally prepared for the playoffs as many had expected they would have been. Regardless, that is the past now and the Voodoo will have to bring out the best in their stars in this series. If the Voodoo can play like everyone knows they can they will be headed to the finals this year. Look out for Nolan this round as he is due to make an impact, and with Martin Brodeur in net the Voodoo appear to be ready to go.
DES MOINES: This team is the hottest team in the playoffs right now. If the Dominators are to pull out any upset in the second round they cannot focus on shootout style games, instead if they are to be victorious they must make sure that they limit the Voodoo's scoring chances every night. One other added bonus that the Doms have going for them on top of their momentum is that centre Andre Savage has been ripping it up in the farm league and is more than ready to dress for the Doms (possibly on their first line!).

PLAYERS TO WATCH: (VAN) Owen Nolan, Paul Kariya, and Nicklas Lidstrom.
                  (DES) Andre Savage, Steve Yzerman, and Patrick DesRochers.

PREDICTION: Voodoo win 4-2
==============================================================================
Rocky Mountain(3) vs Chi-Town(4)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ROCKY MOUNTAIN: The Express' strength right now is that they are so fundamentally sound, that when they do make a mistake they quickly make sure nothing amounts from it as seen through the first round sweep of the Islanders. The Express will look towards their veteran leadership in this round as Francis and Robitaille will be looked upon for leadership.
CHI-TOWN: The Krushers had a lot of trouble in the first round and were lucky to come out of the 7 game series with the Vikings as the winner. The Krushers will not be able to score very easily in this series as Roenick and Zamuner are slumping.

PLAYER TO WATCH: (ROC) Ron Francis, Radek Bonk, and Marek Malik.
                 (CHI) Robert Reichel, Rob Blake, and Justin Hocking.

PREDICTION: Express win 4-1

Mississauga based Preview

Toronto(1) vs Mississauga(4)
It'll be a brutal series.
Stallions: 4-2

Chicoutimi(2) vs Quebec City(3)
Corinths goaltending and defense isn't strong enough.
Sparrows: 4-1

Vancouver(1) vs Des Moines(7)
Despite a long series Dominators will pull it out. Voodoo haven't played very well in playoffs.
Dominators: 4-2

Rocky Mountain(3) vs Chi-Town(4)
Rogles is good but I don't think Blake and Roenick will have the magic they had a couple years ago.
Express: 4-2

Edmonton-based Preview

Toronto Stallions vs Mississauga Icedogs

Regardless of what happens here, the Icedogs are one of the year's biggest success stories. At one point this team was a huge doormat and a guaranteed two points for most teams in the WHL. While it is next to impossible to figure out who is playing for the Icedogs on any given day, there is no doubt they are now a top-of-the line team in the Eastern Conference. However Toronto is playing stellar hockey right now and is loaded at all positions. Mississauga has no reason to hold their head as they bow out in five.

Quebec City Corinthians vs Chicoutimi Sparrows

This classic "Cain vs. Abel" battle is guaranteed to draw the highest television ratings in the province of Quebec since "He Shoots, He Scores" went off the air. The Sparrows have been playing their best hockey since the league's formation and the Corinthians looked slightly out of sorts in their first round battle with Oakville. Sparrows win it on home ice in game 7.

Vancouver Voodoo vs Des Moines Dominators

Anything less than a championship will result in big problems out on the west coast, and the Voodoo are not at their best right now. The Dominators are hot and will upset the Voodoo in six. Coincidentally Tom Renney will be sending out resumes within the month.

Rocky Mountain Express vs Chi-Town Krushers

The Krushers beat the Vikings, again. The Krushers will lose to the Express, again. Pongratz's crew keeps on rolling with an easy sweep.

Olympic Update

Canadian Olympic Update

There has been precious little news regarding the Canadian Olympic Team in the last month or so which is understandable, considering the playoffs are in full swing. Co-general manager Lee McEwen is already in next year country though and will use the remainder of the playoffs to scout possible Olympians. McEwen and Howe have been remarkably tight-lipped about candidates for the team but it is believed that they want to have between 12-15 players decided upon by the start of WHL training camps next September.

It has also been confirmed that the team will be holding a four day conditioning camp in mid-August for between 35-40 players. No date or location has been announced and could depend on the date of the WHL7 entry draft.

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