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Here we go folks!!! The Playoffs are finally here and I, for one, am very excited. By now you all know that this is the fourth meeting in the last four seasons between these clubs in the first round of the Addison Division playoffs. The past three seasons the Flyers have played game one in Selkirk and the last two years they have won game one.
That will have to happen again. The success of this particular Flyers team has rested on a few key areas all season long. Work harder then the guys in the other sweaters and have a good start. 99 times out of a 100 if the Flyers out work, out hit, and out play their opponents they will win. You have to go no further then the stats.
For example, if the Flyers score first they have a record of 20-8-6. If they are still leading after the first period they are 18-7-4-1. If they still have the lead after two periods they are almost unbeatable with a 22-2-5 record. They are also 22-6-2 when they have more shots. Those stats prove that when the Flyers are playing their game and come out of the gate on the right foot they give themselves a very good chance of winning.
However, the stats are equally as obvious when they don’t play well. When the other team scores first the record is 9-17-2. When they trail after the first it’s 3-16-2. And the real shocker is that they have won only one game ALL SEASON when trailing after the second period……only one third period comeback all year long!!!
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Now the positive to all of these numbers is that the Steelers are almost in the exact same boat. To a certain extent they have been just as up and down as the Flyers have been this year. That is why it is so hard to give an educated assessment as to who should win this series. You can go through the numbers all you want and cross reference all the data and in the end it doesn’t mean squat.
The playoffs traditionally are a crap chute. The better team doesn’t always win. Sometimes things happen or players do things that they aren’t supposed to. There is always that one player who has not really done a whole lot during the season that comes out of nowhere and plays a huge role in a teams success.
But these few things I think will decide this series. Flyers goalie Peter Alexander and Selkirk goalie Joey Rewucki were the runner ups to OCN’s David Aime for the MJHL goalie of the year award so you know the goaltending in this series will be strong. The top end players are essentially even with a slight edge going to the Steelers maybe (they do have the leagues MVP in Taylor Dickin afterall).
But the two areas where I think the Flyers have the edge is defense and depth. The Steelers do have five players in the top 20 in league scoring while the Flyers have none. But after those five players there is a steady drop off. The Flyers have been able to spread the wealth a little this season and are able to get points from all four lines at times. The top one or two lines are always the guys that the other teams will key on, and if the secondary guys or third or fourth liners can chip in that will provide a huge advantage.
The Flyers D has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride this season but I feel they are playing some of their best hockey recently. They are at their best when they aren’t trying too hard. Take care of you own job. Make it simple and don’t screw up.
Its anyone’s guess what will happen in this series but I am sure of one thing…it will be a lot of fun. The rivalry of facing each other four years in a row, the Flyers dominance in the season series, and a wide range of other things have made this match-up an exciting and emotional battle all season long.
I can’t wait for the playoffs to finally begin cause it gives everyone a chance to forget about the regular season, get a fresh start, and maybe show everyone that this team is for real.
I will bet you a million bucks that if the Flyers are able to make a real run here in the postseason nobody will remember how the regular season went. I encourage you to come out and support your team. Cheer loud and be supportive. Lets all be on the same team through the good and bad and lets have a heck of a time in the process. I love playoff hockey so lets go!!!!!!!!
That will have to happen again. The success of this particular Flyers team has rested on a few key areas all season long. Work harder then the guys in the other sweaters and have a good start. 99 times out of a 100 if the Flyers out work, out hit, and out play their opponents they will win. You have to go no further then the stats.
For example, if the Flyers score first they have a record of 20-8-6. If they are still leading after the first period they are 18-7-4-1. If they still have the lead after two periods they are almost unbeatable with a 22-2-5 record. They are also 22-6-2 when they have more shots. Those stats prove that when the Flyers are playing their game and come out of the gate on the right foot they give themselves a very good chance of winning.
However, the stats are equally as obvious when they don’t play well. When the other team scores first the record is 9-17-2. When they trail after the first it’s 3-16-2. And the real shocker is that they have won only one game ALL SEASON when trailing after the second period……only one third period comeback all year long!!!
Now the positive to all of these numbers is that the Steelers are almost in the exact same boat. To a certain extent they have been just as up and down as the Flyers have been this year. That is why it is so hard to give an educated assessment as to who should win this series. You can go through the numbers all you want and cross reference all the data and in the end it doesn’t mean squat.
The playoffs traditionally are a crap chute. The better team doesn’t always win. Sometimes things happen or players do things that they aren’t supposed to. There is always that one player who has not really done a whole lot during the season that comes out of nowhere and plays a huge role in a teams success.
But these few things I think will decide this series. Flyers goalie Peter Alexander and Selkirk goalie Joey Rewucki were the runner ups to OCN’s David Aime for the MJHL goalie of the year award so you know the goaltending in this series will be strong. The top end players are essentially even with a slight edge going to the Steelers maybe (they do have the leagues MVP in Taylor Dickin afterall).
But the two areas where I think the Flyers have the edge is defense and depth. The Steelers do have five players in the top 20 in league scoring while the Flyers have none. But after those five players there is a steady drop off. The Flyers have been able to spread the wealth a little this season and are able to get points from all four lines at times. The top one or two lines are always the guys that the other teams will key on, and if the secondary guys or third or fourth liners can chip in that will provide a huge advantage.
The Flyers D has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride this season but I feel they are playing some of their best hockey recently. They are at their best when they aren’t trying too hard. Take care of you own job. Make it simple and don’t screw up.
Its anyone’s guess what will happen in this series but I am sure of one thing…it will be a lot of fun. The rivalry of facing each other four years in a row, the Flyers dominance in the season series, and a wide range of other things have made this match-up an exciting and emotional battle all season long.
I can’t wait for the playoffs to finally begin cause it gives everyone a chance to forget about the regular season, get a fresh start, and maybe show everyone that this team is for real.
I will bet you a million bucks that if the Flyers are able to make a real run here in the postseason nobody will remember how the regular season went. I encourage you to come out and support your team. Cheer loud and be supportive. Lets all be on the same team through the good and bad and lets have a heck of a time in the process. I love playoff hockey so lets go!!!!!!!!
P.S. There is a complete Winkler vs. Selkirk Series preview on http://www.winklerflyers.com/. You may have also noticed that the pictures on this post are a mix of new and old. I was trying to bring you back down memory lane of these two bitter rivals. Enjoy.
If the Flyers want to win this series and advance, they have to play as a team. There are too many one man shows out there. Be in the right place and know your role.
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