Manitoba
The Winnipeg Bantam AAA playoffs nicely underway and it was the Winnipeg Sharks earning a sweep over the 3rd ranked Winnipeg Warriors in four straight. The Sharks seemingly had no problems as they out-scored the Warriors in the four games 23-9 and scored 20 goals in their final 3 game to advance to the league final against either the top ranked Hawks or the 4th ranked Monarchs. Speaking of those two teams, they are locked in a series still with the Hawks leading the series 3-1. The Monarchs were able to play another day as they defeated the Hawks last night 3-2 in OT. The Hawks will try to wrap things up on Thursday night to advance to the final and a showdown with the Sharks.
Saskatchewan
The provincial final is set in Saskatchewan to see who will be advancing to the Western Canadian Bantam Championship set for Winnipeg in April. The GSHL representative Saskatoon Maniacs were able to out-score the SSBHL rep Balgonie Prairie Storm by scores of 6-4 and 5-4 to advance to the provincial final. Their opposition will be the Prince Albert Venice House Pirates who rolled through the playoffs and the regular season.
The Pirates went through the whole season and playoffs with just one loss and that came in the league final to the Warman Wildcats 5-4. The Pirates were led this season by a tremendous offensive attack in which they scored 249 in 24 league games, which is over 10 GPG! Ryan Duret led the league in scoring with 53-56-109 which was 28 points more than the next player. Warkentine, Yaremchuk and 97 born Matt Campese all scored over 33 goals. From defense, Jordan Harris who named to the all-star team in every tournament this season leads the way and scored 10-24-34 in 23 games and Bryton Sayers will also be looked upon. If there is one slight weakness, it may be in goal where Morhart and Toporowski have had a few ups and downs but are still strong.
The Saskatoon Maniacs finished first in the GSHL with a modest 14-6-4 record in the very competitive GSHL. The Maniacs have a few players who can really put the puck in the net, including Dawson Leedahl, Rod Southem and 97 born pint sized forward Jimmy Lambert who could be a top 2 rounder next season. On defense, Connor Swystun leads the way and of course in goal the Maniacs may have the top one in the entire province in Rylan Paranteau.
The teams met in the tournament final in Prince Albert back on December 12th with the Prince Albert squad winning 6-4. In that tournament, there were several players from those teams who made the all-star teams including: Ryan Duret, Miles Warkentine, Jordan Harris (D) and Saskatoon Maniacs goaltender Rylan Paranteau. These teams were named by the scouts in attendance.
At the Regina tournament, the two teams didn't meet but Prince Albert won the "A" final while the Maniacs won the "B" final. Both Rylan Paranteau and Jordan Harris were named to the tournament all-star teams again. Paranteau was also named all-star goalie in the only other major Saskatchewan tournament in Saskatoon in early January. If the Maniacs are going to win, they'll need a strong effort from Rylan agains the fire power of the Pirates.
Alberta
The AMBHL playoffs begin tonight with Leduc playing SSAC and the Calgary Bisons playing host to the Red Deer Rebels White. The Bisons won all three matchups vs. Red Deer White in the regular season, scoring 21 goals in the 3 games. While SSAC and Leduc played twice with each team winning a game.
Leduc, who can score with a very balanced attack will need a strong performance from goalie Nolan Kruizenga. Leduc had a very impressive 6 players who scored 15 or more goals this season. Kord Pankewicz will be looked upon to log a lot of minutes and provide ample offence from the back end if Leduc is to have a chance in this one. Leduc also has 2 of the top penalty minute leaders in the league in Trevor Posch who was 2nd with 134 and Tyler Dorval with 110. For SSAC, it starts from the goalie out as they have a very deep team and should be favored to win this season. Jordan Papirny could be the top goalie in the league and should go in the top few rounds of the draft. Papirny and Daniel Robinson split duties in the regular season in goal but Papirny had a save percentage .49 better and his 1.81 GAA compares to Robinson at 3.00. Pretty safe to say that Papirny will start every game. Aaron Irving and Zach Patterson will anchor the defense and both players will go in the top 2 round of the bantam draft in May. Forwards John Quennville, Riley Simpson and 97 born star forward Giorgio Estephan will anchor things up front. Estephan scored 27-37-64 as a first year bantam.
The Calgary Bisons were the only team in the league to crack 200 goals, scoring a whopping 217. Brayden Point led the league in scoring with 102 points and Tanner Macmaster fired in 49 goals and 92 points this season. It doesn't end there for the Bisons though. Mowbray who scored 31, Welykholowa who scored 22 to go with Assad, 97 born Merkley can all chip in. The defense is led by first round talent Brycen Martin and Oliver Lester. In goal, Adin Hill has proven he can win games when needed to. For the Rebels White, Ty Mappin is perhaps the leagues MVP and how he go's is likely how the Rebels will go. Mappin had 5 goals and 8 points in the 3 head to head regular season meetings. Players such as Mik Doell, Chase Thudium and Carter Sawicki have proven they can chip in at times too. Colton Bobyk and Logan Hermus are able to supply offence from the backend and in goal the reigns will be likely handed to Jayden Sittler who has had a very strong playoff thus far.
British Columbia
The top ranked Kamloops Jardine Blazers have defeated the Kelowna Jr. Rockets in game 1 of a best of 3 OMAHA final 2-0. Game 2 go's Friday in Kelowna and game 3 if needed, go's on Sunday.
In the PCAHA, 3 of the 4 teams have been decided for the final four which takes place in Burnaby this coming weekend with a four team round-robin.
BWC defeated NSWC in two straight out-scoring them 7-2
Abbotsford defeated Surrey in two straight out-scoring them 10-2
Seafair won their series 1-0-2 against Langley out-scoring them 9-4
The final team will be either Cloverdale or Hollyburn. That series is at 1-1-1 with Hollyburn having out-scored Cloverdale so far 10-9. The fourth and final game go's tonight in Cloverdale.
Articles of note:
The St. Albert Sabes were swept in three straight by SSAC. The St. Albert Gazette takes a closer look at why here: http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/20110302/SAG1101/303029997/sabres-swept-away
32 comments:
20 goals in the last 3 playoff games. That is impressive in any league. Sounds like they are a very strong offensive & defensive team. Was the other team a true AAA team or just one of those sorta make up teams? Will this team be competing in the Bantam Championships??
I like the Maniacs chances against Prince Albert. They're definitely still an underdog for sure, but they have a very balanced attack, with much better goaltending. They've also played the whole season in the GSHL, a league with no weak sisters. Prince Albert was tested very little this year.
Prarie Storm out played the Maniacs badly in their home rink, Maniacs had great goaltending and PS had no systems PP break out etc, to pond hockey
I think the structure and goaltending is what will give Maniacs a decent shot. I'd say they're still something like a 60/40 underdog, but that's probably a better chance than most people are giving them.
I'd say the total goal differential in the two game series won't be more than 3 either way, but I could be wrong.
Maniacs have players that can score on good chances. If PA gives up even 10 good scoring chances, look out. They'll probably have to score 6 or 7 to win, and that won't be easy on Parenteau.
Predictions for the AMBHL North and South finals??
SSAC 3-1 will win. Bisons will win 3-1 also. the finals will be 3-1 for SSAC. my predictions.
Bison's in 4 and SSAC in 4
Western Elite - Can you not think of a better thing to do, than cause more "popularity contests?" These polls you have posted make me want to vomit! All this is, is for the kids to see how many times they can enter their friends names...
come on, you should have more pride in this rag magazine!
Its easy to be considered a top goalie playing on SSAC. They are one of the best defensive teams that average 18 shots per game against with a low # of quality scoring chances.
The winner of the AMBHL North series will win Alberta.
SSAC will be swept by the Bisons. The true Battle of Alberta already happened with the Bisons vs Royals...
Last season it was said that the fort sask team would beat the Bisons as well the Bisons will again be the ab rep at the westerns I agree the Battle of ab has been completed I also think Leduc will win the north
Outside Observer here. Bisons don't seem to talk, they just seem to deliver. 6 - 1 over Red Deer.
There is alot of good bantam hockey players and for Western Elite to pick out a few to post and ask to VOTE ,that is Shameful .
SHAMEFUL? THEY COULD POST ALL '96 BANTAM HOCKEY PLAYERS, NOT JUST AA OR AAA, THAT WOULD BE A TREAT
Welcome to the meat market. As my son says, when I cannot perform, nobody will care who I am, so I best be secure in who I am. He says, besides, everyone is just noise to me. The parents, the people who critique us who have never played the level we have played but think they know best. If there is a poll, it is to drive discussion and bring out who those other best players are. It also drives traffic to the website. As my kid says, if I am going to worry about what other people think, then I am not the person I need to be.
Parents are crazy! Tyler can post whatever he wants - this is a blog! Bottom line is that if your kid is good enough, he will get noticed, and will move on to better things other than Bantam AAA hockey.
SSAC will take the series 3 games to 0. they dominated leduc last night.
My Goodness People!!!!
Shameful?
Its a poll.
Maybe it is a popularity contest for some, but who cares? Its a simple question of who you think has the goods to play well at the next levels of hockey.
Shameful is parents who take online scouting sites too serious.
I enjoy the site, check it out every day. And will add, my son isnt on the poll list but I voted anyway because its meant to be for fun.
are AMBHL games full 3 twenty minute periods with 2 ice cleans?
Bisons 5-2
Bisons up two -zip Point /MacMaster show once again 2Goals each 4pts Point 3pts MacMaster Mappin scored late 1 Goal for the league mvp Red Deer is battling hard but have no answer for Bisons top line. Red Deer has to come up with something too extend this series.
curious, what were the shots in s'toon vs storm. i watched storm play and thought they would have had no problem with maniacs. what was the difference.
ambhl 3-20's and 2 floods
in the last poll. how is cloverdale even considered to win westerns? or to pull and upset. they finished like 15th at med. hat and abbotsford lost badly to to all alberta teams. LEduc is the only team from the list with a legit chance to win westerns.
just a poll buddy. People are voting for Red Deer and they are down 2-0! Go hate somewhere else.
and they won't even get out of northern AB
Bison just eliminated RD White. White played a solid game; they are a very good club. The Bison just find ways to win.
abbotsford was 2 and 1 i wouldn't say they lost badly
Abbotsford went 2 and 1 i wouldn't say they lost badly to all the Alberta teams
3.38 PM. I guess your prediction of 3 straight over Leduc is gone! Leduc won 6-3,itS a series!!!!!
GOALTENDING- Leduc wins being outshot significantly again( Saints are beating Southside right now with Leduc"s goalie in their net)- how good is their backend?? Give up 52 shots and win a hockey game!!!!
I have read the comments on the site all year and enjoyed it even when comments made me lol.
This is a prospects site,right!!
All the ranting about kids at THIS stage. Yep some are real good- small/huge/bearded/baby-faced.
Ever want an eye-opener spend a couple hours looking at AMBHL historical stats and awards- not many names you will recognize!!!
The key remains- what CAN the kid be????
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