PR - Wheat Kings

WILD RACE IN WEST HEADIN' DOWN THE STRETCH

For the entire history of the FHL-TFHL the Western Conference has had a clear dominance over the East and every season that advantage has become more pronounced. The result of such a discrepancy is that the West is full of powerful teams the must keep looking for a new edge even to maintain their chance at playoff qualification. The Darwinian consequences are that the while the East due to lack of competition becomes evermore the Dodo, the West is evolving (or creatively designed-ing) evermore into a supra sentient homo hockilibis just waiting to snack on that juicy little bird.

This year has seen perhaps the most intense and deep competition in an already notable history. With about 25 games remaining every team from 12th through 7th was within six points of the 7th seed. Within the last fifteen games three teams have played at well over .600 to distinguish themselves from the rest and make this the tightest and most exceptional race to date. With ten games remaining, the Wheat Kings, who currently sit ninth, have a win percentage better than ten Eastern Conference teams

The Raiders (39-34-5-2 .544), L10: 8-2-0

A surge after the All-Star break made them look like a safe bet to make the playoffs at the Trade Deadline. However, a gamble on Gaborik disrupted team chemistry and it looked for a second as if the Raiders would be the team to fall from contention, but they've recouped and have come on strong in the last few games and are again looking like a safe bet.

The Resevoir Dogs (37-33-8-2 .538), L10: 6-4-0

Although Bergenheim hasn't played well for them, the Dogs have performed well since his addition and were able to solidify their place in the race. Steady .600 hockey has been their standard for the last 30 games, a streak by the Kings and/or Raiders could unseat them, but slow and steady usually wins the race.

The Wheat Kings (36-34-8-3, .532), L10: 7-2-1

Twenty games ago they were at the bottom of the West, but since then they have been scorching hot. They didn't make any moves at the deadline, but about a week previous they did do a couple deals that have paid off in spades. Daymond Langkow since being acquired from the Spirit has been on fire, scoring well over a point a game. Braydon Coburn has been solid on defence since coming over from the Pontiacs. These additions, combined with outstanding play from Dimitri Kazionov, Sergei Samsonov, Peter Forsberg and Jimmy Howard, means that the Kings are starting to play up to expectations... but is it too late?