Wheat Kings, Hitmen and Rockets inch closer to Round 3: WHL playoff roundup

Just like that, three of the WHL’s second-round playoff series are potentially close to wrapping up. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Calgary Hitmen and Kelowna Rockets are up 3-1 in their respective series. The fourth matchup between the Everett Silvertips and Portland Winterhawks, meanwhile, is only two games deep because Portland’s barns have been occupied. Garth Brooks booked the Moda Centre from last Sunday to today and there was a Craft Brewers Conference in the Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Here is a look at a roundup of all four WHL playoff series.

Eastern Conference

Brandon vs. Regina (Wheat Kings up 3-1, host Game 5 on Friday)

Following dropping the first two contests and being outscored 10-3 in Brandon, the Queen City Kids came to play at home to make it a series. They took the third match 3-2 before falling in Game 4 by the same score in overtime.

Jordan Papirny has kept up his solid play in the crease against the Pats. He has only allowed eight pucks by him in the series and posted a saver percentage of .938 or better in three of the contests. He’s proving to be a goalie that steps up his game in the second season.

Regina puck-stopper Daniel Wapple had a rough go of it in Brandon, but stood on his head at home. He turned aside 39 shots in Game 3 and 45 shots in the following match. The pressure is on the undrafted 19-year-old veteran to steal Game 5 for the Pats to have any shot of pushing this series to the limit.

Both teams are without one of their star forwards. Calgary Flames first-round pick Morgan Klimchuk is yet to return from an undisclosed injury to Brandon’s lineup. Regina is missing star rookie Sam Steel because of an ankle injury and will be for the remainder of the series.

Calgary vs. Medicine Hat (Hitmen up 3-1, host Game 5 on Friday)

Good teams win close games. The Hitmen have proven that in this series as they are up 3-1 even though they have only outscored the Tigers 12-9.

Marek Langhamer was supposed to be the star goalie in this matchup, but Mack Shields has elevated his game to earn the edge in the netminder battle. The Saskatoon, Sk., native has only allowed nine goals even though he’s faced over 30 shots in all four games. It’s safe to say it’s now his net to lose once Brendan Burke returns from his “upper-body” injury.

The biggest problem for the Tigers is how Trevor Cox and Cole Sanford, who combined for 204 points in the regular-season, have yet to score a goal against the Hitmen. There is ultimately no way Medicine Hat will fight their way back in this series unless the pair of 19-year-old snipers start finding the back of the net.

Calgary’s top scorers have come up big when they have needed a goal. New York Rangers pick Adam Tambellini, Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder Travis Sanheim and overage Connor Rankin deserve the most praise as they’ve each notched a pair of markers past Langhamer.

Western Conference

Kelowna vs. Victoria (Rockets up 3-1, host Game 5 on Friday)

After a 5-0 blowout in favour of the Rockets in Game 1, there has been a trio of close games. Kelowna outscored Victoria 8-5 for a pair of wins in Games 2 and 3 before falling 5-4 in the last match.

It’s near impossible to beat the Rockets when their top guns are flying, and that’s evident in this series. Edmonton Oilers pick Leon Draisaitl (1G-7A), Tyson Baillie (4G-3A), Nick Merkley (1G-3A), Washington Capitals second-rounder Madison Bowey (1G-3A) and Gage Quinney (3G-1A) are all sitting at a point-per-game pace or better in the series.

Justin Paulic was the difference-maker for the Royals in their lone win of the series, a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 4. He turned aside 36 shots, including 19 in the final 40 minutes of play. One would assume he will get the nod in Game 5 after Coleman Vollrath, who was the starter in Round 1, let in 12 goals in 130 minutes of action in the first three contests.

On a side note, the status of Winnipeg Jets first-rounder Josh Morrissey has to be a significant concern for the Rockets. He returned to the lineup for Games 1 and 2 after missing a chunk of action due to a leg injury, but didn’t suit up for the last two contests. It’s unclear whether he’ll play anymore games in this series at this point.

Everett vs. Portland (tied 1-1, Winterhawks host Game 3 today)

The Silvertips were close to taking a 2-0 series lead, but Columbus Blue Jackets first-rounder Oliver Bjorkstrand saved the day for the Winterhawks in double overtime of Game 2. He snuck one past rookie sensation Carter Hart just 29 seconds into the fifth period.

Albeit in a losing effort, Montreal Canadiens first-rounder Nikita Scherbak took some weight off his shoulders in the second match. He stepped up for Everett with a two-goal effort following mustering one marker in his first seven playoff games. Remi Laurencelle (2G, +1) and Cole MacDonald (3A, +2) were the biggest difference-makers up front for the ‘Tips in Game 1.

Hart’s impressive play in the blue paint is a major reason for Everett’s success. The Sherwood Park, Alta., native has a .907 save percentage (impressive when considering the talent he’s up against) in the series and made 41 saves in Game 2. In addition, he has the edge on Adin Hill (.877 save percentage in series) in the goalie battle.

A positive for the Winterhawks is how their offense has been spread out in this series. Their seven goals have come from seven different players, including overagers Miles Koules and Adam Henry.

That said, with Everett having an edge in the crease, the pressure is on Portland’s superstars such as Bjorkstrand and Jets prospects Nicolas Petan and Chase De Leo to outperform their opponent’s top scorers.

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