Western Conference Top 4
1.) Gaffney Indians
Record: 12-0
Key Wins: Lethbridge Fighters (21-19), Algoma Arena Rockers (23-14), TBS (24-17)
Key Loses: None
Last 4Games:
Favored in all 4 and should win all 4. Stanleys are the only team I see capable of pulling the upset.
My Thoughts:
Gaffney has proved they are the best in the west this season by beating everyone they have faced. They are the only team undefeated in the West, but some still might doubt them due to them not winning big. They continue to boast the best chemistry, the highest levels and most consistent play. IMO they win out and are coasting to the playoffs.
2.) Algoma Arena Rockers
Record: 10-2
Key Wins: Lethbridge Fighters (29-23)
Key Loses: Gaffney Indians (14-23), Thunder Bay Sabertooths (26-33)
Last 4 Games:
Timber Bay Snow Cats (7-5) - Win - should win this one easily, a good practice run for Stanleys
Surrey Fighting Stanleys (8-4) - Win - Very tough team that had Gaffney on the ropes (loss 20 pts on TO/missed FGs)
Grise Fjord ^^^Kodiaks^^^ (5-7) - Win - Stat padder...Fire Sale!
B.K. Thunderbirds (0-12) - Win - UPSET SPECIAL, j/k nice an easy game before playoff starts, could try out some new schemes?
My Thoughts:
I still believe that Algoma is the #2 team in the West although they might finish #3 in the playoff picture due to the head to head loss to TBS. Despite having lower levels then Gaffney and TBS I believe these guys are just as good and could split 5-5 if played 10 times. All I know is whoever plays these guys in the first round of the playoffs can say "thank you for not letting us get promoted!"
3.) Lethbridge Fighters
Record: 9-3
Key Wins: Thunder Bay Sabertooths (39-7)
Key Loses: Algoma Arena Rockers (23-29), Gaffney Indians (19-21)
Key Games:
Uranium City Evil Monkeys (9-3) - Push - With a playoff home game on the line this is a must win for both teams.....
Saskatchewan Limas (6-6) - Win - Limas great run defense vs Leth's great run offense!
Marley’s Pot Puffing Indigents (2-10) - Win - I think the Marley's will be "puff, puff giving" all game! Fighters win by 40!
Sackville Mutant-Skunks (0-12) - Win - Leth will go for some trophies in this stat padding game
My Thoughts:
Monday's game vs the Evil Monkeys is HUGE! Both teams enter at 9-3 and are facing a must win to lock up that elusive home playoff game and #4 seed. The Fighters got a bad break when they drew the Kingston Dark Knights in their first game of the year. You swap that game with any other Eastern opponent and they are fighting for #2 seed. After surviving the Stanleys in a defensive struggle (13-10) Shawn has gotten his team playing well. Ironicly, Monday's game is just a preview of a 1st round matchup. IMO the Fighters and Evil Monkeys will finish 4 & 5 meaning they will meet in the first round of the playoffs, the only question is where it will be played?
4.) Thunder Bay Sabertooths
Record: 10-2
Key Wins: Algoma Arena Rockers (33-26)
Key Loses: Gaffney Indians (17-24), Lethbridge Fighters (7-39)
Key Games:
Grand Forks Falcons (7-5) - Win - The Falcons are one of my biggest surprises, I still think they are a good team, can they prove it here?
Timber Bay Snow Cats (7-5) - Win - should win this one, a good practice run for Stanleys
Surrey Fighting Stanleys (8-4) - Win - Stanleys play Algoma the game before, can they pull back to back upsets or will Ryan's run continue!
Grise Fjord ^^^Kodiaks^^^ (5-7) - Win - Stat padder...Fire Sale!
My Thoughts:
TBS loss to Gaffney (like everyone else) just like I thought, but they played them very, very well! I continue to be impressed by young Ryan's game planning. He has done a good job at recruiting and probably has the 3rd highest level team in the West (Gaff/Leth). TBS has IMO the hardest schedule left of the Top 4. All games they should be favored, but with very close wins over the Punishers (20-6) and Rebels (16-0) I would not be surprised to see an upset. If I am Ryan I am very upset that I have to play the Stanleys this late in the season!
This is just my opinion and for fun, so enjoy!
Edit: changed comments on Kodiaks after the fire sale
1.) Gaffney Indians
Record: 12-0
Key Wins: Lethbridge Fighters (21-19), Algoma Arena Rockers (23-14), TBS (24-17)
Key Loses: None
Last 4Games:
Favored in all 4 and should win all 4. Stanleys are the only team I see capable of pulling the upset.
My Thoughts:
Gaffney has proved they are the best in the west this season by beating everyone they have faced. They are the only team undefeated in the West, but some still might doubt them due to them not winning big. They continue to boast the best chemistry, the highest levels and most consistent play. IMO they win out and are coasting to the playoffs.
2.) Algoma Arena Rockers
Record: 10-2
Key Wins: Lethbridge Fighters (29-23)
Key Loses: Gaffney Indians (14-23), Thunder Bay Sabertooths (26-33)
Last 4 Games:
Timber Bay Snow Cats (7-5) - Win - should win this one easily, a good practice run for Stanleys
Surrey Fighting Stanleys (8-4) - Win - Very tough team that had Gaffney on the ropes (loss 20 pts on TO/missed FGs)
Grise Fjord ^^^Kodiaks^^^ (5-7) - Win - Stat padder...Fire Sale!
B.K. Thunderbirds (0-12) - Win - UPSET SPECIAL, j/k nice an easy game before playoff starts, could try out some new schemes?
My Thoughts:
I still believe that Algoma is the #2 team in the West although they might finish #3 in the playoff picture due to the head to head loss to TBS. Despite having lower levels then Gaffney and TBS I believe these guys are just as good and could split 5-5 if played 10 times. All I know is whoever plays these guys in the first round of the playoffs can say "thank you for not letting us get promoted!"
3.) Lethbridge Fighters
Record: 9-3
Key Wins: Thunder Bay Sabertooths (39-7)
Key Loses: Algoma Arena Rockers (23-29), Gaffney Indians (19-21)
Key Games:
Uranium City Evil Monkeys (9-3) - Push - With a playoff home game on the line this is a must win for both teams.....
Saskatchewan Limas (6-6) - Win - Limas great run defense vs Leth's great run offense!
Marley’s Pot Puffing Indigents (2-10) - Win - I think the Marley's will be "puff, puff giving" all game! Fighters win by 40!
Sackville Mutant-Skunks (0-12) - Win - Leth will go for some trophies in this stat padding game
My Thoughts:
Monday's game vs the Evil Monkeys is HUGE! Both teams enter at 9-3 and are facing a must win to lock up that elusive home playoff game and #4 seed. The Fighters got a bad break when they drew the Kingston Dark Knights in their first game of the year. You swap that game with any other Eastern opponent and they are fighting for #2 seed. After surviving the Stanleys in a defensive struggle (13-10) Shawn has gotten his team playing well. Ironicly, Monday's game is just a preview of a 1st round matchup. IMO the Fighters and Evil Monkeys will finish 4 & 5 meaning they will meet in the first round of the playoffs, the only question is where it will be played?
4.) Thunder Bay Sabertooths
Record: 10-2
Key Wins: Algoma Arena Rockers (33-26)
Key Loses: Gaffney Indians (17-24), Lethbridge Fighters (7-39)
Key Games:
Grand Forks Falcons (7-5) - Win - The Falcons are one of my biggest surprises, I still think they are a good team, can they prove it here?
Timber Bay Snow Cats (7-5) - Win - should win this one, a good practice run for Stanleys
Surrey Fighting Stanleys (8-4) - Win - Stanleys play Algoma the game before, can they pull back to back upsets or will Ryan's run continue!
Grise Fjord ^^^Kodiaks^^^ (5-7) - Win - Stat padder...Fire Sale!
My Thoughts:
TBS loss to Gaffney (like everyone else) just like I thought, but they played them very, very well! I continue to be impressed by young Ryan's game planning. He has done a good job at recruiting and probably has the 3rd highest level team in the West (Gaff/Leth). TBS has IMO the hardest schedule left of the Top 4. All games they should be favored, but with very close wins over the Punishers (20-6) and Rebels (16-0) I would not be surprised to see an upset. If I am Ryan I am very upset that I have to play the Stanleys this late in the season!
This is just my opinion and for fun, so enjoy!
Edit: changed comments on Kodiaks after the fire sale
Last edited Jan 25, 2009 19:01:24
