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Our calls for the first round

The Hitmen found their groove over the last two months of the season and finished first overall in the league.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Calgary Hitmen vs. Moose Jaw Warriors — The Hitmen found their groove over the last two months of the season and finished first overall in the league. Calgary has ample firepower with the likes of league-scoring champion Brandon Kozun and 39-goal sniper Joel Broda, among others, a decent defensive corps and arguably the best netminder in the league in Martin Jones. The Warriors’ top scorer, Quinton Howden, is out with a shoulder injury and goaltender Jeff Bosch is listed as day-to-day with a hip ailment.

Calgary in four.

Brandon Wheat Kings vs. Swift Current Broncos —The Memorial Cup host Wheat Kings are the WHL’s most explosive club, boasting the likes of Brayden Schenn, Matt Calvert, Scott Glennie and Aaron Lewadniuk, and the trade deadline addition of Travis Hamonic gives the club a solid blueline brigade. The Broncos boast a dynamite player in centre Cody Eakin, but scored 90 fewer goals than their first-round opponents and will have to rely heavily upon goaltenders Morgan Clark and/or Mark Friesen.

Brandon in five.

Medicine Hat Tigers vs. Kootenay Ice — The Tigers finished the regular season with a flourish and have plenty of offensive talent with Bretton Cameron, Emerson Etem, Wacey Hamilton and a strong supporting cast. The Ice struggled down the stretch, but seemed to regroup and put their game back together during the final week. Kootenay has an impressive — if not overwhelming — roster with diminutive centre Dustin Sylvester being the absolute go-to guy.

Medicine Hat in seven.

Western Conference Quarter-finals

Tri-City Americans vs. Chilliwack Bruins — The Bruins finished one game below .500 but were 3-1 versus the Americans this season. Chilliwack’s offence is far from scary, but the club finished in the middle of the pack in regards to goal against. The eighth-place Bruins also have one of major junior hockey’s finest coaches in Marc Habscheid. Meanwhile, the Americans were 5-5 in their last 10 games and didn’t clinch first place in the conference until the final day of the season despite holding a seemingly comfortable lead atop the standings at one time. Still, it’s difficult to envision an upset here.

Tri-City in five.

Vancouver Giants vs. Kamloops Blazers — The Giants were one game under .500 over their last 10 (4-5-1-0) and finished with the fifth-highest amount of points in the conference. Vancouver trailed Tri-City, Everett, Spokane and Portland in the conference standings but earned second place as the top team in the B.C. Division. This is not the strongest Vancouver team in recent memory, but it’s a step above the Blazers, who should excel next season with some fine young talent and Guy Charron as head coach for the entire semester.

Vancouver in six.

Everett Silvertips vs. Kelowna Rockets — The Silvertips were 7-2-1 in their final 10 regular-season outings; the Rockets 6-3-0-1. The Rockets, though, finished with a pair of wins and since getting their wounded players back from the infirmary, have been a team to be reckoned with. But the Silvertips are one impressive squad from the goaltenders on out, and Craig Hartsburg is a decorated, seasoned major junior coach. The Rockets can match the ‘Tips offensively, but Everett’s goaltending is second to none.

Everett in six.

Spokane Chiefs vs. Portland Winterhawks — The ‘Hawks are one of the league’s youngest squads and also one of the largest and most talented. But the Chiefs are big-time stingy and have experience in 96-point forward Mitch Wahl, 52-goal man Kyle Beach and U.S. national junior team player Tyler Johnson on their side. Toss in a defence that features Ottawa Senators prime prospect Jared Cowen and Spokane appears built for a long playoff run. But the ‘Hawks have a balanced offence and were 5-3 in head-to-head versus the Chiefs, which suggests a close series.

Spokane in seven.

gmeachem@redddeeradvocate.com