Paddock’s Pats keep winning, Rockets yet to allow a goal: WHL playoff roundup

Five days into the WHL’s 2015 playoff, four clubs have their opponents on the ropes while the other four series remain up in the air. But with only one Game 3 in the books, every matchup could theoretically have a shift in momentum.

Here is a recap of the Dub’s post-season action.

Eastern Conference

Regina vs. Swift Current (Pats lead 2-0, Broncos host Game 3 today)

The wheels were supposed to fall off John Paddock’s Pats a while ago, like when the team traded four of its top 19-year-old veterans at the trade deadline. How they have exceeded expectations by winning the first two games of their series ultimately fits their season’s theme.

The Queen City Kids’ best players have outplayed the Broncos’ top guns. Regina’s six top scorers in the regular-season (excluding the injured Sam Steel) scored all of their club’s seven goals. Two of Swift Current’s premier forwards, Jake DeBrusk and Colby Cave, have yet to register a single point.

Daniel Wapple, who has a .941 save percentage, has the edge in the goalie battle, but Landon Bow isn’t that far off. The Broncos netminder stopped 66 pucks for a .917 save percentage.

Brandon vs. Edmonton (Wheat Kings lead 2-1, Oil Kings host Game 4 today)

The Oil Kings stole Game 1 in Brandon’s barn, but the Wheaties stormed back in the second match with an 8-1 victory. A 3-2 win in the third contest likely put the Wheat Kings hockey brass more at ease against the 2014 Memorial Cup champions.

A pair of Edmonton natives, New Jersey Devils first-rounder John Quenneville and 18-year-old goalie Jordan Papirny, have stepped up against their hometown foes. Quenneville has led Brandon’s offense with two goals and five points following a bit of a disappointing regular-season as he only notched 47 points in 57 games. Papirny, like last year’s playoff, has played well in the blue paint, posting a .937 save percentage.

Pittsburgh Penguins second-rounder Tristan Jarry was a major reason why the Oil Kings won the first contest, but he allowed eight goals in his next two starts. The pressure is on his shoulders to steal at least one more game for Edmonton to have any hope of knocking off the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy winners.

Calgary vs. Kootenay (series tied 1-1, Ice host Game 3 today)

The Ice almost had the Hitmen saying “not again” when they won Game 1 and had a lead late in the second match, but Adam Tambellini’s overtime-winner evened the series up at one. The writing is on the wall that this matchup should come down to the wire.

Buffalo Sabres prized pick Sam Reinhart has made a notable impact, but he hasn’t exactly turned heads like he did at the world junior championship. St. Louis Blues prospect Jaeden Descheneau (2G-1A, +3) and Luke Phillip (2G-1A, +3) have been Kootenay’s most dangerous offensive threats.

Calgary’s goalie concerns remain an uncertainty for the team. Arizona Coyotes draft choice Brendan Burke started the first two games, but was pulled in Game 2 even though he held his own in the crease. Mack Schields turned aside all 19 shots that came his way in replace of Burke, leading one to believe he will get the nod tonight.

Medicine Hat vs. Red Deer (Tigers lead 2-0, Rebels host Game 3 on Wednesday)

The Tigers have the 2016 Memorial Cup hosts up against the wall following winning the series’ first two games in Medicine Hat. It shows the Southern Alberta-based club has undoubtedly shaken off its puzzling February slump. In addition, the Tigers have been here before as they swept the Saskatoon Blades in the first round the year before they hosted the Memorial Cup in 2013.

Marek Langhamer, one of the few import goalies left in the Dub, has been Red Deer’s Achilles heel. Grayson Pawlenchuk is the only Rebel who has snuck one past the Czech Republic so far. But it’s not as though the Tigers have been racking up the markers at the other end of the ice. Saskatoon native Rylan Toth has only allowed three goals for a .957 save percentage.

Just as they did in the regular-season, Trevor Cox (1G-2A, +2) and Cole Sanford (1G-1A, +2) have led Medicine Hat’s offense. It seems to be a near impossible task to shut them down, so the Rebels are in dire need for their top snipers to step up and match the duo’s offensive production.

Western Conference

Kelowna vs. Tri-City (Rockets lead 2-0, Americans host Game 3 today)

The Rockets showed why they finished first and the Americans ended up eighth in the Western Conference through their first two games. Kelowna lit the lamp nine times while Tri-City failed to register a single goal.

Jackson Whistle bolstered his playoff stats with back-to-back shutouts for 48 saves. Winnipeg Jets second-rounder Eric Comrie, meanwhile, let in six pucks for a rough first start, but was the only reason the Americans didn’t get blown out of the water the second time around. He stood on his head, posting a 42-save effort.

Kelowna’s top scorers have remained their best forwards in the second season. San Jose Sharks draft pick Rourke Chartier, Edmonton Oilers first-rounder Leon Draisaitl and NHL draft prospect Nick Merkley have notched three points apiece.

Victoria vs. Prince George (Royals lead 2-0, Cougars host Game 3 on Wednesday)

Both games have been close, but the Royals managed to edge the Cougars twice in two nights on the island. The pressure is on Prince George to even it up in their own backyard to have a shot at knocking off their division rivals.

Royals overage Brandon Magee, who isn’t exactly known for winning popularity contests, has been the top player in the series. He has already found the back of the net five times. An honourable mention goes to Cougars blueliner Tate Olson, as he has netted two playoff markers after mustering five goals in 68 regular-season games.

Neither netminder has stood too tall, but Coleman Vollrath, who has a .892 save percentage, has been the better of the two. Ty Edmonds has had some jitters in his first WHL playoff games, posting a .816 save percentage.

Everett vs. Spokane (series tied 1-1, Chiefs host Game 3 on Wednesday)

The U.S. Division champions took Game 1, but were upset in the second contest. The Chiefs stormed out of the gate with four first-period goals and went on to win it 6-2.

Both clubs saw key veterans step up for them. Carson Stadnyk (3G-1A, +1) leads Everett in points while Adam Helewka (2G-1A, -1) posted a pair of key goals for Spokane in Game 2. On the flip side, Montreal Canadiens first-rounder Nikita Scherbak and rookie sensation Kailer Yamamoto have yet to notch their first playoff markers.

Everett rookie Carter Hart stood his ground in the first contest, stopping 22 of 23 pucks, but let in three goals on eight shots the following night. Spokane’s Garrett Hughson, meanwhile, let in five goals in his first start before posting a .935 save percentage in Game 2.

Portland vs. Seattle (series tied 1-1, Thunderbirds host Game 3 today)

The Thunderbirds managed to take the first match in Portland, but the Winterhawks stormed back to take the second contest 3-0. The first two games showed that Portland is the better squad, but Seattle has the talent to pull off an upset.

Taran Kozun’s imposing presence in net is the Thunderbirds’ greatest strength. He showed why he was nominated as the Western Conference’s top puck-stopper, posting a .946 save percentage through two. He’s not the only quality goalie in the series, though. Adin Hill, who maintained a .926 save percentage, was excellent at the other end of the ice for the Winterhawks.

There has been a bit of controversy surrounding the players picked for the three stars in the first two matches. Portland’s “three stars expert” snubbed Matthew Barzal, who scored two goals including the game-winner, in Game 1. The moral of the story is that the only credible junior hockey star pickers write for this blog.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen