Round 2 Predictions

Well now that I'm against a monkey, I might actually put some thought into this...

Eastern Conference

Saskatoon Saints (3) vs Walkerton Aces (8)

The Aces continued their play of the final 20 games and managed to upset a serious cup favourite in the Bobcats. The Aces are getting good showing from most of their players, which has helped off-set relatively poor golatending (although Pitton is winning). Tuuka Rask saved the Saints from the pit of fire with three quality games in net - if that continues, the Saints have to be the favourite here. They boast the best player, Chris Higgins, in the series and have a little more depth upfront (although both teams are somewhat similar in how they're built).

Verdict: Could this possibly be the Saints year?... Maybe the end is near? The Aces on the other hand have always been a suprisingly good playoff team (even back to the pre-Walter days of GM Jared Book's Rockets). It's going to be an interesting series; Saints in six.

Young Guns (4) vs Indianapolis Ignite (7)

Although the Young Guns have continued to show a weakness for finishing, I still have them gold-ticketed to the Conference finals. Theodore did not disappoint in the first round and one might easily expect a similar showing in the second. The Ignite played up to the form they were at nearly all season (and likewise the Spirit), with a commanding five game series victory. M-A Fleury is perhaps having his coming out party: Jarome Iginla is dominant right now and is getting a lot of support (notice Kristian Huselius, a clutch performer for the Wheaties last season, is again showing his post-season might).

Verdict: This is going to be a difficult series to call - both teams could conceivably take it all in short measure. It will likely come down to who's the hotter goalie, and my money is on Jose: Young Guns in seven.

Western Conference

Michigan Pain (2) vs Saskatoon Blades (8)

David vs. Goliath II? Is this the second coming of the Wheat Kings - a Saskatoon based team knocking off the Flames in the first round and then going on to win it all? The Blades certainly have the goods and GM Merkir ought to be shaking in his boots right now. However, as surprising as the Blades' victory was, the absolute dessolation of the Achaeans was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the first round - it wasn't that the Pain were not expected to win, it was that the Achaeans were expected to show up and play hockey: perhaps the Pain are for real this time?

Verdict: Was either team just lucky in the first round? Doesn't look like it, they both look like monsters... my money is that whichever team wins this series wins the cup. That being said, I'm going to go with the Pain in seven.

Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs Saint John Fog Devils(5)

Two teams who I sided against in the first round now meet in the second. As was somewhat expected, the dominant regular season showings of the Hawk youngsters did not follow through to the playoffs. However, what was unexpected was the continued showing of Jeremy Roenick and the renaissance of Nikolai Khabibulan. Once upon a time the Bulan wall was a playoff eliminating machine, and perhaps he has regained that form? The Fog Devils are similarly bouyed by the showing of a veteran and a hot goalie. In their case it's Devan Dubnyk and Mats Sundin. The Devils are following through on their late season surge and could spell trouble for the Hawks - and playing in New Brunswick , a land of the inverse, whether it be hills or tides, it is perhaps not inconceivable that as underdogs they are to be favourites?

Verdict: Safe money says that the Hawks tough it out; but never underestimate a hot team in the West: Fog Devils in seven (dare we suggest a Saints-Devils TFHL final?).