2nd round match ups Please chime in!

[scotty b]

So im in the RMD area and wondering about some second round match ups. So you east coast guys lets here it. Do the 495's have a chance against the Blaze, and in the Gateway division can the Snipers make it 2 in a row and upset Midwest, or is it that long of a shot?

[SpiderRat]

The 495's have a very talented, physical team, and their goaltenders are very good. They gave us tough games all season. it should make for some exciting playoff hockey Saturday night.

[Leaferguy]

With the Blaze/495ers series, I think it'll come down to PK ability. Both teams are pretty damn talented.

[GR8SK8r06]

I think I will take the 495ers over the blaze simply because i have them winning in my bracket and I think Thompson is one of the best in the sport. I think I'm going away from my bracket now with the Blizzard and Thunder games...... Im taking the Blizzard. They have better goaltending and more depth than the Thunder and Ciolli is out for the first game. If they stay out of the box and Kevin brings his A game in net they will take it in 3 games.

Then after that I'm sticking with my bracket when I pick The Growl, Lunatics, Pirates and Tornados. I know the Growl and Tornados are crazy talented and hear good things from the Tics. As for the Pirates I dont know too much about them but they seem to be too much to handle for the Robins.

[dan sangiorgio]

i'll take the blaze based on there depth but i do agree special teams could be a differencemaker as that is LI strong point

[scotty b]

I think I will take the 495ers over the blaze simply because i have them winning in my bracket and I think Thompson is one of the best in the sport. I think I'm going away from my bracket now with the Blizzard and Thunder games...... Im taking the Blizzard. They have better goaltending and more depth than the Thunder and Ciolli is out for the first game. If they stay out of the box and Kevin brings his A game in net they will take it in 3 games.

Then after that I'm sticking with my bracket when I pick The Growl, Lunatics, Pirates and Tornados. I know the Growl and Tornados are crazy talented and hear good things from the Tics. As for the Pirates I dont know too much about them but they seem to be too much to handle for the Robins.

I sure like that Blizzard pick!

[alex]

It's good that pretty much every division final looks like it could go either way.

In the East, Harrisburg beat Pittsburgh all 4 games this year. Connecticut also beat Long Island in all 4 games this year. Seems like people still think Pitt and LI have the ability to beat those teams but just haven't shown it.

The other two East matchups, Growl vs. Grizzlies and Pirates vs. Robins, both season series were even and could go either way.

The West seems a bit more lopsided. Midwest has the best record in the league but actually might be the more likely to get upset. Tornados won 7 out of 8 this year but Southside won the most recent one. And their games are always close.

San Jose vs. Nor Cal seems kinda lopsided, San Jose won 8 out of 10 this year...but Nor Cal won the most recent game and the last several games have all been real close too.

And in Colorado, the Thunder have been dominant but seems like people still have a lot of faith in the Blizzard. They did hand Thunder 2 of their 3 losses this season.


In the end, a lot of potential upsets, but I think all #1 seeds (Growl, Lunatics, Pirates, Blaze, Thunder, Tornados, and Pirates) move on to conference finals. But I'll still be rooting for some upsets!

[Dave Garland]

I saw on North Cal's website that they already beat the Pirates in the finals in two OT games played last weekend!

The Snipers/Tornados series should be a good one.

[thestatman]

I like all the 1 seeds to advance. The only upsets I could see are Long Island vs Conn or Southside vs Midwest. The Growl vs NJ Grizzlies is an interesting match up that could go either, but I like the Growl at home. Harrisburg should sweep Pittsburgh. South Carolina should sweep Richmond. The Thunder should sweep Westminister. And I think NorCal already beat San Jose, Phoenix already beat Tucson.

[Puckdropper1]

Keep in mind that the Growl vs Grizzle game will be played at a neutral site. Either way, I see this series going to three games and possibly OT in at least one. Both teams have outstanding goaltenders.