FRIDAY COMMENTARY – THE PICKS ARE IN!
(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98, Rock 98.5 FM & LTD Radio)
Here it is! The curtain rises on the Western Hockey League Playoffs presented by Nutrien tonight with all 16 teams hitting the ice. That’s right; eight games on a Friday night in the Dub.
This is my kinda March Madness! And just for fun, here are my Round 1 predictions: (I strongly caution you not to take this as betting advice)
1 – Moose Jaw vs Lethbridge with Game 1 in the Band City – I’ll take Moose Jaw in five games. They’ve got all their players back from suspension and therefore they’re rested with a lot to prove. Sorry Hurricanes.
2 – Winnipeg vs Medicine Hat with Game in the ICE Cave – Winnipeg has been one of Canada’s best teams all season and have a lot to prove after last year’s disappointing playoffs. Get out the brooms.
3 – Red Deer vs Calgary with Game 1 at the Centrium – This is one of the best Rebels teams ever and that’s saying a lot. And the Hitmen just barely squeaked into the tournament. Let’s say Rebels in five.
4 – Regina vs Saskatoon with Game 1 in the Bridge City – You’ve all been waiting for it! The Blades are on a roll going in and finished almost 30 points up on the Pats. That’s why … Regina will win in 7! It’s the playoffs and anything can happen. Especially when you have The Next One in your lineup. Have fun!
Out West, I haven’t been following it nearly as much but we’ll give our prediction a go just for fun:
5 – Seattle vs Kelowna: Thunderbirds in four. They’re the strongest team in the WHL by far.
6 – Kamloops vs Vancouver: The Blazers are hosting the Memorial Cup and will take it in five.
7 – Portland vs Everett: The Winterhawks seem clearly the strongest team and they’ll take it in six.
8 – Tri-City vs Prince George: It’s the most evenly-matched series so I think it’ll go seven games, and give the nod to the Cougars because they’ll be at home.
Get out and watch these games live, and in the case of Connor Bedard, watch history being made before our eyes!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV, YouTube Live & WQEE Radio)
Nice try on the HOMER pick of the Pats over the Blades. Ha ha , that one makes me laugh. Blades will hack the sh#$ out of Bedard and make him look average. Blades win the first 2. Pats split in Regina and finally Blades win in 6. I do give you credit though Rod for being a dreamer.
Saskatoon should be and to a man are very scared of this Regina Pats team. The Pats are not the same team from the beginning of the year. The talent is there, the Coaching is for certain there, but these guys have to check, and play an air tight system. I’m going with Pats in 5. I think tonight in front of 11,000 the Pats will punch Saskatoon right in the mouth. They’ll get the split. Win the two home games, and wrap it up next Saturday. Moose Jaw on the other hand is out in 4 and then maybe… Read more »
Blades have a plan for Bedard. Let’s just say they will pull a Bobbie Clarke on Bedard like Clarkey did to the Russians in th 72 series. Can’t skate can’t score. Heeeeeheeee
Well Joe Louis said everyone has a plan until he gets punched in the face.
To bring up 1972. First off those guys need to butt the smokes out to even attempt to catch. He takes a shot on one of those 1970s goalies the obit is in the paper on Monday.
There is no clutching, grabbing, fighting in hockey. U pull that it’s on the power play.
Pats in 5.