Playoff Predictions

    Last update: Aug 12th
    Predictions by Pierce McGuire are for entertainment purposes

Tier 1  *Memorial Cup format*

Game 1 
Highlight Reelers vs Goombas
Highlight Reelers have won all four games against Goombas, three of the four games being decided by a goal or two, which makes this match up much closer than people think. Goombas, if they have not caught on to the obvious, will have to find a way to stop Ryan Mah, who has scored 8 goals against them in 3 games, including clutch game-tying goals and an OT game winning goal. But the playoffs are a different beast as we all know and this is where the magic happens. Though suffice to say. among these four teams there is no such thing as a true upset.

Prediction : Goombas with the first somewhat upset in this memorial cup format playoffs in tier one.

Game 2
North Van Knights vs Bombers
Bombers started off their season series with the North Van Knights with two wins in a row, including a convincing 7-2 win in the second game. However since then, NVK has won the last two games against Bombers both by one goal. I am compelled to put more stock into the last two games as opposed to the first two games, as closer to the playoffs we generally see the best benches of the teams come out.

Prediction : North Van Knights take game 2 over Bombers in a close affair.

Game 3
Highlight Reelers vs North Van Knights
In many Ice604 observers' eyes this can be a glimpse into what we can expect to see in the final. Highlight Reelers and North Van Knights have been my favorites in this tier from beginning to end. Highlight Reelers have also been the victims of North Van Knights late season run, dropping two games in a row to NVK, including a 6-1 drubbing.

Prediction : North Van Knights take game 3 over Highlight Reelers

Game 4
Goombas vs Bombers
A game in which I expect both teams to score one-hundred-billion goals, the Goombas and Bombers lowest scoring affair was their last game which was still a 4-4 tie. Look for both teams' strategy in this game to be "just outscore the other team guys!".

Prediction : Goombas win game 4 over Bombers

Game 5
Bombers vs Highlight Reelers
With two (predicted) losses in a row, Bombers will be playing for their season in this one against Highlight Reelers, however, I do not forsee Bombers being able to overcome the scoring depth of the Highlight Reelers.

Prediction : Highlight Reelers win game 5 over Bombers

Game 6
Goombas vs North Van Knights
The fine tradition of clutch Chong playoff vacations continue, as game 6 sees the absence of Goombas leading scorer Jacob Chong, who will be taking a vacation around asia. To their credit the Goombas  own two victories over NVK. To their discredit one victory was a forfeit, and the other was a 12-6 victory in which NVK was missing their starting goalie and key personnel. But I am sure while he is sipping margaritas on the white sandy beaches of Thailand Jacob Chong will be cheering on his team mates.

Prediction : Easy win for Knights over Goombas

Semi-Final
Goombas vs Highlight Reelers
Earlier I said playoffs is where the magic happens, now I am going to say playoffs is also where the magic also comes to be put out of its misery. Unless Jacob chong plans to snipe pucks top corner all the way from the smoggy, mean streets of Shanghai, the Goombas will sorely miss their top scorer, in a series which will probably require them to score a good amount of goals to win. Highlight Reelers scoring depth will shine in this elimination game, and Ken Ng will come to play.

Prediction : Highlight Reelers victory over Goombas in the Semi-Final

Finals
North Van Knights vs Highlight Reelers
A finals every Ice604 enthusiast was looking for to. A re-match of the winter season tier 1 finals, Highlight Reelers look to do what they failed to do in the winter and beat North Van Knights. Pretty much the exact same scenario standings wise, as the first time these two teams met up, with the Highlight Reelers leading the tier during the regular season. Can the North Van Knights be the first team to win tier 1 winter and spring leagues back-to-back?

Prediction : YES! North Van Knights defeat Highlight Reelers in the finals.

Tier 2

Quarter Finals
(1) Underdogs HC vs (8) Snipers
Probably not an appropriate team name right now for the Underdogs given the circumstances, as they just recently bounced to the top of the tier standings at the end of the season. Underdogs pretty much always show up for the playoffs, and always go deep. If the Snipers are looking (or hoping) to catch the Underdogs off guard in this one, they won't. John Chan alone won't be enough to turn the tide of this series.

Prediction : Underdogs HC in 2

(2) Drillers vs (7) Vipers
This is the match-up in which I said the Drillers should look to avoid, as the Vipers seem to have a mastery over them. But here we are and the Drillers have indeed drawn the Vipers as their first round opponent. But I think the Drillers are just too deep, too techincal, too good to falter in the first round, even against Vipers.

Prediction : Drillers in 3

(3) Vancouver Reign vs (6) Millionaires
Vancouver Reign have established themselves as legitamite contenders in this tier, especially with their victory over the Drillers in the last game of the season, which is no easy feat. I do not think the Millionaires will be able to beat the speed the Vancouver Reign have over a three game series.

Prediction : Vancouver Reign in 2

(4) Top gun vs (5) Dragons
A pretty even-steven series in my book. Top Gun has a better offence, Dragons present the better defence. Yes, I have a history of selecting  the better defence to win over the better offence, but there are always exceptions. I think Top Gun will finally show Top Form this season, and there is no better time to do that than in the playoffs.

Prediction : Top gun in 3

Semi Finals
(1) Underdogs HC vs (4) Top Gun
Rule of playoff prediction thumb: Underdogs always advance to the finals (Three years in a row now?). That being said even Top Gun in superior form will not be enough to overcome the Ice604 hockey gods and their penchant for trends and traditions.

Prediction : Underdogs in 3

(2) Drillers vs (3) Vancouver Reign
Drillers extract a measure of revenge against Vancouver reign, who with their victory over the Drillers in the final game of the season, forced the Drillers to take the harder path to ICE604 glory as the second seed. I believe that Vancouver Reign may have the best speed in the tier when all their players are playing, but I also believe that the Drillers pass attack will neutralize this speed.

Prediction : Drillers in 3

Finals
(1) Underdogs HC vs (2) Drillers
Underdogs find themselves in a fimiliar position, in the finals once more (Man, how many of us beer leaguers wish we can make the finals every year?). In their way of continued glory stands the Drillers, who I still believe are the best team in this tier despite losing top seed. However captain Adrien Wen can't hear me as he has his two championship pucks stuck in his ears.

Prediction : Drillers win the tier 2 championship in 3 games.


Tier 3
*First round byes for both Dill Pickles and Vancouver Ice Bears

Quarter Finals
(3) ColdShots vs (6) Hockeycons
The Hockeycons continue to underperform in my eyes, and I do not see any righting of the ship in sight.  Coldshots will look to continue their 8 goals per game average into the playoffs, and to be honest I think they just may do it in the first round of the playoffs.

Prediction : ColdShots in 2

(4) Spartans vs (5) Darkwing Ducks
Spartans have been digging themselves out of a hole quite nicely, heck, they almost made it to .500 to end the season.  Darkwing Ducks however cannot say the same thing, they have the lowest Goals For average, and their PIM are double that of the other teams in the tier.

Prediction : Spartans in 2

Semi Finals
(1) Dill Pickles vs (4) Spartans
Dill Pickles have been on absolute fire in the alst half of the season, and the fire will continue to burn going into the playoffs. Unless everyone on the Dill Pickles plan to just sit on a couch and eat buckets of lard, I do no think they will be shaking off any rust courtesy of a first round bye.

Prediction : Dill Pickles in 2

(2) Vancouver Ice Bears vs (3) Coldshots
The Coldshots offensive juggernaught will find themselves hitting a brick wall named Jared Walker who is solid in net. Thats pretty much my super in-depth premise for this series, a goalie standing on his head.

Prediction : Vancouver Ice Bears in 3

Finals
(1) Dill Pickles vs (2) Vancouver Ice Bears
Earlier in the power rankings, I have been saying how Vancouver Ice Bears were the team to beat in this tier, but given current trends of have changed the sound of my beat. I am riding the Dill Pickles hot streak to prediction glory. Ryan Yip, Yaz Jinnah and Vince Chan will continue their late season tear and once again hoise the mighty re-vamped Ice604 cup.

Prediction : Dill Pickles in 2


Tier 4

Quarter-Finals
(1) ILWU Ice Dogs vs (8) Hi-Jacks
Ice Dogs have had a turn around so good, they ended up with top spot in the tier, pretty damn good considering they couldn't even buy a win to start the season. Michelle Borsa has been an absolute rock with a .904 save percentage(which is gross for beer league when you think about it!), and I believe she will continue to her stone-walling ways against Hi-Jacks

Prediction : ILWU Ice Dogs in 2

(2) Hi-Lane Plasma vs (7) Pacman
A battle of two defence first teams, so I will go back to my rule of selecting defence first teams by selecting the superior defensive team in this case. Pacman will need to summmon the intensity of a Howard Dean speech to have a shot at winning this series.

Prediction : Hi-Lane Plasma in 3

(3) HellBoyz vs (6) WTHC Killa Bees
Hellboyz have been on a tear winning five in a row, earning them the third seed in this tier. However I think this more of a punishment than a reward as I think WTHC Killa Bees is far and away the best lower seed in the tier provided their full bench shows up.

Prediction : WTCH Killa Bees in 2

(4) Blitz vs (5) Icemen2.0
Ack, I thought Icemen2.0 were going to smoke competition in tier 4 when they got moved down, but I guess that is why they play the games right? But here we are, and here is Icemen at the BOTTOM half of tier 4 against a tough Blitz squad in the first round. I suspect Icemen2.0's struggles in the end of the season will continue into the playoffs.

Prediction : Blitz in 3

Semi-Finals
(1) ILWU Ice Dogs vs (6) WTHC Killa Bees
This is going to be a tough match up for ILWU Ice Dogs, Killa Bees are a tough opponent. Only one game between these two teams in the regular to guage from, which was a one goal Ice Dogs victory. Tim Fullerton and John Hidber are the tier's hottest scorers to end the season, and they will play key roles in ensuring continued Ice Dogs success.

Prediction : ILWU Ice Dogs in 3

(2) Hi-Lane Plasma vs (4) Blitz
Though I suspect Hi-Lane Plasma will be taken to the wire against Pacman (and I mean stupidly close!), I feel they will have more success against Blitz in the second round. I just like how their defence matches up against Blitz's offence.

Prediction : Hi-Lane Plasma in 2

Finals
(1) ILWU Ice Dogs vs (2) Hi-Lane Plasma
I have been banking on Hi-Lane's Plasma to shut other teams' offence all the to the finals. However, A good defence can only do so much against a hot goaltender other than firing those pucks from the point. In this instance I am taking the hot goaltender over the solid offence. This is the year captain Tim Fullerton will finally get to raise the hardware over his head, and I also predict Michelle Borsa will win tier MVP.... yes, I know I am bold!

Prediction : ILWU Ice Dogs tier 2 champions in 2

Tier 5
*First round byes for (1) NightHawks and (2) Crimson Guard

Quarter Finals
(3) Vohora Vikings vs (6) Affinity Sabres
Vohora Vikings seem to have good statistical balance, everyone scoring, from forwards on to their defence, and the goalies also have respectable stats. I am banking on on this "balance" to carry the Vikings on to a fist round victory over Affinity Sabres

Prediction : Vikings in a close 3 game series

(4) West Coast Express vs (5) Spirit-X-Press
Spirit-X-Press managed to get in the six required games for the Uns and Johnny Ly. This is huge, I expect them to be present for all the playoff games, which changes the dynamic of this team. I do not expect West Coast Express to be able to cope against the increased firepower of Spirit-X-Press.

Prediction : Un Brothers in 2

Semi-Finals
(1) Nighthawks vs (5) Spirit-X-Press
Nighthawks dont do first round exits, they just don't. Despite Spirit-X-Press' improved bench I do not think it will be enough to overcome the Ice604 veteran Nighthawks. Im sure If I had said anything else, captain Tim Shew would have murdered me while I slept comfortably in my bed.

Prediction : Nighthawks in 3

(2) Crimson Guard vs (3) Vohora Vikings
Sean Cranston has the proven resume in the Ice604, he's stood on his head and stole series' before. But again, I just think the balance of the Vohora Vikings is just going to ware on the Crimson over the course of two or maybe three games.

Prediction : Vohora Vikings in 3

Finals
(1) NightHawks vs (3) Vohora Vikings
Nighthawks are looking not to repeat another heartache in the finals, like last year where they were overpowered by the Aviators. They have an equal goal output to that of Vohora Vikings,while allowing significantly fewer goals. That being said, I am going against the grain on this one because I am a clown.

Prediction : Vohora Vikings tier 5 champions in 3 games.

Tier 6
*First round byes for (1) Marauders and (2) The Eh-Team

Quarter-Finals
(3) Bullets vs (6) Fury
Bullets look to put the final nail in the coffin of Fury's rough season and they probably will, just too much scoring for Fury to stop. Sorry Herb, you won't be lifting your own cup this season, but it is nice to see you in the PPG category once more.

Prediction : Bullets in 2

(4) Sakai's vs (5) The Jonestown Punch
Jonestown Punch are going to win this easily in two, all they have to is show up, because those dark jerseys of theirs are amazing. But seriously, I am just going to be more reasonable and flip a coin here:

Prediction : Sakai's in 3

Semi Finals
(1) Marauders vs (4) Sakai's
To be honest, there will be no such thing as an upset in this tier, all the teams are so bloody close. Marauders hold a modest 2-1 series lead over the Sakai's, and I expect the same trend to continue going on into the playoffs.

Prediction : Marauders in 3

(2) The Eh-Team vs (3) Bullets
The Bullets are deeper from an offensive standpoint than their other peers in this very close, and very competitive tier. Ron Gill had a fantastic season, but the Bullets are looking to eat his icing on the cake.

Prediction : Bullets in 3

Finals
(1) Marauders vs (3) Bullets
Shea Mcneil and Josh Malamas are good enough to give Marauders the edge, however in this series I do not think it will be enough. Once again the offence of the Bullets roll along all the way to the tier 6 championship.

Prediction : Bullets tier 6 champions in 3

Tier 7
*First round byes for (1) Razors and (2) Blue Devils

Quarter-Finals
(3) Kim Chiefs vs (6) Icemen
Kim Chiefs have a much better goals for and goals against clip, moreso they have mr.intangibles himself Gordon Leung who refuses to have his breakout season stopped in the first round.

Prediction : Kim Chiefs in 2

(4) Shaolin Monks vs (5) Eatery All-Stars
I think the Shaolin Monks' defence has another gear and can play better than they currently are, but I guess the same can be said for the Eatery All Stars defence who traditionally put up pretty low goals against averages. Rob Low will be the difference though.

Prediction : Shaolin Monks in 3

Semi Finals
(1) Razors vs (4) Shaolin Monks
IF the Shaolin Monks can hold off Russ Metcalfe and Jeff Holten they can win this series, but that is a tall order. I expect Russ Metcalfe and Jeff Holten to play even better in an elimination enviroment.

Prediction : Razors in 2

(2) Blue Devils vs (3) Kim Chiefs
Though lower in the standings than that of the Blue Devils, Kim Chiefs actually have a better goals for/goals against ratio. But all this goals for/goals against ratio stuff is rubbish because Gordon Leung's monster season will not be stopped in the second round either.

Prediction : Kim Chiefs in 3

Finals
(1) Razors vs (3) Kim Chiefs
I have given the Kim Chiefs a pretty good run, but like all good things it must come to an end. An end at the hand of Russ Metcalfe and Jeff Holten who will continue to run Roughshod all the way through the finals.

Prediction : Razors win the tier 7 championship in 2

Tier 8
*First round byes for (1) Whiskey Militia and (2) Baby Bulls

Quarter Finals
(3) Blings vs (6) Ice Hawks
Ice Hawks continue to search for that illusive first win of the season, and what better time than in the playoffs right? Well, I think they will find that first win of the season, for no other reason than it sounding like a bold prediction. But I dont think they will win the series, that is simply asking for too much, too quick!

Prediction : Blings in 3

(4) Autobots vs (5) Storm
The Autobots have been on a slightly upward swing, I am surprised to see that they finished the season .500. My mind tells me they are going to win this series, but my heart still wants redemption for having to pay 12 bucks to watch Transformers 2.

Prediction : Storm in 3

Semi Finals
(1) Whiskey Militia vs (5) Storm
Whiskey Militia has pretty much been the class of this tier. Their GF/GA has much better than even the second seeded Baby Bulls. Storm has allowed nearly double the goals against per game than Whisky Militia. Too much for Storm to overcome.

Prediction : Whisky Militia in 2

(2) Baby Bulls vs (3) Blings
If anyone is capable of knocking off one of the first round bye teams it is the Blings. Record-wise they were just behind Baby Bulls, and they are able to score at almost as high a goals per game clip. They got the better of Baby Bulls the last time around, and I think thye just may get the better of the Baby Bulls this time around.

Prediction : Blings in 3

Finals
(1) Whiskey Militia vs (3) Blings
Blings won the first game of the regular season series between these two, and then Whiskey militia proceeded to win the next two games. I think this is how the finals will play itself out, with Blings winning the first game, and then Whiskey Militia coming back and taking the next two.

Prediction : Whiskey Militia tier 8 champions in 3 games.


Tier 9
*First round byes to (1) Bang Gang and (2) Titans

Quarter Finals
(3) Hot Shots vs (4) KillerBunnies
Hot Shots have earned a victory and a tie over the top two teams in the last two games of the season. They are heating up at the right time, and I think they will continue said trend in through the first round

Prediction : Hot Shots in 3

(4) Rockstars vs (5) Camp Douglas
Last year I picked Camp Douglas as my sexy pick for glory, and I am going to do it against this year, because if I do it every year, they are bound to pull it off one of those years. In that year I can finally say "I told you so".

Prediction : Camp Douglas in 3

Semi Finals
(1) Bang Gang vs (5) Camp Douglas
I do not think John Bablitz and co. will be able to keep up with the newly acquired scoring touch of Bang Gang. The underlying feelings among us hardcore Ice604 fans is that Bang Gang can keep the goals against even lower as well.

Prediction : Bang Gang in 3

(2) Titans vs (3) Hot Shots
Titans have lived up to the defensive billing I have bestowed upon them earlier in the season.  However, the Hot Shots themselves only allowed four more goals than the Titans in the same amount of games played, and they also won the last head to head match up. That being said, I think that is where the road stops.

Prediction : Titans in 3

Finals
(1) Bang Gang vs (2) Titans
One would think upon first glance that this could be a case of the good offence versus the good defence. However I think the Bang Gang are capable of having just as good of a defence as Titans, which to me gives them more than an edge.

Prediction : Bang Gang tier 9 champions in 3


Tier 10

Quarter-Finals
(1) Cold Shots 2.0 vs (8) Scorpions
Cold Shots have scored over double the amount of goals that Scorpions have, while also giving up less goals. I do not forsee Scorpions being able to withstand the offence of Cold Shots over the course of a series.

Prediction : Cold Shots in 2

(2) Banzai Billets vs (7) 2 Girls 1 Puc
Banzai Billets score almost as much as Cold Shots 2.0 while allowing significantly less goals, this is unfortunate for 2G1P as they are pretty playing 1B seed as opposed to 1A. If only 2G1P got Sam Chin his required six games in, now they will have to rely on the pre-season demon Clarence Tang to carry the offensive load. No pressure at all here Clarence.... none.

Prediction : Banzai Billets in 2

(3) Headless Chickens vs (6) Bad News Bears
Headless Chickens drew the short of the stick here with Bad News Bears as their first round opponent. As I have been saying, I suspect with a full bench Bad News Bears are one of the better teams in the tier, and now they are going to prove it, at the cost of Headless Chickens' season.

Prediction : Bad News Bears in 2

(4) MasterBladers vs (5) Bottom Feeders
Just going strictly stats here boys, can't ignore the the ungodly goals for/goals against disparity. (MTB 53/28 BFD 37/48)

Prediction : MasterBladers in 3

Semi-Finals
(1) Cold Shots 2.0 vs (6) Bad News Bears
The Cold Shots have an alarmingly high amount of goals against for a top seed. I think this is going to be their downfall against a fully benched Bad News Bears team. Bad News Bears will now have the guns to take advantage of defensive gaffes made by Cold Shots.

Prediction : Bad News Bears in 3

(2) Banzai Billets vs (4) MasterBladers
MasterBladers actually have an even better GF/GA ratio than Banzai Billets which shocks me. But the Baznai Billets hold the sweep of the season series between these two, which I think will also hold true in the playoffs.

Prediction : Banzai Billets in 2

Finals
(2) Banzai Billets vs (6) Bad News Bears
Bad News Bears will probably have the same amount of scoring potential as the Banzai Billets, so as much as the Billets are capable of scoring, it will have to be their defence that shines. I think they can do it.

Prediction : Banzai Billets tier 10 champions in 3 games.


Tier 11
*First round byes for (1) Donkies and (2) Cleveland Steamers

Quarter Finals
(3) BroadStreet Bunnies vs (6) Koopa Troopas
BroadStreet Bunnies beat Koopa Troopas decisively during their regular season meetings.(13-3 and 5-3) There is no reason for me to think the same thing will not happen here in the playoffs.

Prediction : Broadstreet Bunnies in 3

(4) Motley Crew vs (5) Spuzzum Shockers
Both teams have let in pretty much the same amount of goals over the course of the season, however Motley Crew has a  significantly higher amount of goals. Motley Crew also has the two headed monster of Cory Trogi and Robert Alyward who finished the season with a toal of 53 goals combined! I suspect the two-headed beast will continue to reign fire down upon their opponents in this round.

Prediction : Motley Crew in 2

Semi Finals
(1) Donkies vs (4) Motley Crew
Donkies have absolutely crushed this tier this season with a 10-1 record, and even though they dont have two players the likes of Corey Trogi or Robert Alyward, they as a team have have scored more goals than Motley Crew. Regular season match ups are even Steven with each team taking a game in OT.

Prediction : Donkies in 3

(2) Cleveland Steamers vs (3) BroadStreet Bunnies
There are teams that just dont match up well, and for some reason the BroadStreet Bunnies have had the Cleveland Steamers' number so far this year. I do not know the reason for this anomoly as I dont have the sensors of the starship Enterprise, but I do know that I will not predict against this current trend.

Prediction : BroadStreet Bunnies in 3

Finals
(1) Donkies vs (3) BroadStreetBunnies
Donkies mastery over tier 11 also includes that of the BroadStreet Bunnies, winning all three regular season bouts. Donkies have been consistent all season long, I jsut do not see them blowing it in the playoffs.

Prediction : Donkies win the tier 11 championship in 3 games.


Tier 12
*First Round Qualifyer
(4) Dai lo Bots vs (5) Predators
Man, I wish I didnt already use my 'flip a coin' card, because these series is about as close as they come. Both teams have pretty much flip-flopped wins between eachother in the regular season. Other than a 9-1 victory by the Preadots all the games have been close. So I am just going to flip a coin again anyways because the grey matter inbetween my ears is struggling to cope, to find reason in which one team can one.

Coin Flip Says : Dai lo Bots in 3

Semi Finals
(1) Fighting Squirrels vs (4) Dai lo Bots
Well, the Dai lo Bots have picked up their first win as a team, but the fun stops here I am afraid boys. Fighting Squirrels present to much firepower and defence for the Dai lo Bots to advance.

Prediction : Fighting Squirrels in 2

(2) Ghetto Superstars vs (3) Tigers
Both teams capable of scoring as much as the Fighting Squirrels, however both teams also let in much, much more goals. This series looks like it will come down to who can score more, Graeme Lin or Kris Lee. Im going with Kris Lee because he has wingman Adam Thorp.

Prediction : Ghetto Superstars in 2

Finals
(1) Fighting Squirrels vs (2) Ghetto Superstars
Fighting Squirrels present the better package of offence and defence, they dont really rely on a few players to score, but instead pretty much have everyone score by committee. The other great factor is they have allowed close to twenty less goals than Ghetto Superstars over the course of the season. Too much for Ghetto Superstars to overcome.

Prediction : Fighting Squirrels win the tier 12 championship in 2 games