CFHL - Playoffs - The Stage is set

Well the stage is set for yet another Brother Battle in Fantasy Sports.  Here's what happened in the first round of the playoffs and how they got there.

Goon Crew vs. Mayhem on Ice 4-2
The Goon Crew were able to survive the Mayhem in a relatively close game in several categories. The Crew were suffering some injuries, including Seguin who was out for the season and then Mark Stone was knocked out of the game on Wednesday.  Plus Crawford been out for a while and Mason has had to goal tend every game with no rest.  Well Mason was able to get 3 wins and locked down the Goalie stats, or it seemed.  He gave up 6 goals on Sunday dropping his SV% and then Varlamov gave up 3 more early on Sunday night and was pulled...thank god.  Simmonds and Letang made it very interesting.  Simmonds had 4 goals and 2 assists while Letang had 5 assists and a +6.

Benn has over 40 goals this season for the Crew

Checkers vs. Krampus Carols 2-2-2
This game was very close and the Krampus almost pulled it out.  They led at one point 5-1, then down 2-4 before finally tying the game at 2-2-2.  Down 4-2, Kampus really needed Rask to have a big game.  Well that didn't happen, as he gave up 4 goals and was pulled.  Had he won or played better the Krampus could have been playing for the Cherry Cup.  But it wasn't over yet.  Shattenkirk got an assist late Sunday to pull them in the lead in assists and then Duchene tallied the only goal the Avs scored, tying goals.  Corey Perry, who has 32 goals on the season, just needed one goal to give the Krampus the victory.  He was unable to put the puck in the net and the Checkers win via tie breaker as they had a better head to head record vs. Krampus.  A tough loss for the Krampus.

Rask took a dump on Sunday for the Krampus

Cherry Cup Finals
Cherry Checkers vs. R.C. Goon Crew

With the Cherry Cup final set, it will be guaranteed that the Cherry Cup will yet again have a Cherry name on it for the 4th time in 5 years.  The Checkers will be looking to win their 4th Cup after missing the playoffs last year.  And this year they were not looking like they would be making it again this year, but they went on a 4 week winning streak including two 5-1 weeks sneaking back into the playoffs.  They are led of course by their Kings as they start 6 of them including the goalie Quick.  However the players with the hot hand lately has been Kessel and Neal who have combined for 9 goals, 11 assists and a +12 over the past two week.

Kessel been hot lately for the Checkers

 The Crew have been struggling a bit coming into the playoffs and have been bit by the injury bug somewhat.  Two of their best players during the regular season will not be playing (Seguin and Crawford).  They do still have two players with 30+ goals (Spezza and Benn) and will need them to have big games as they only play twice rest of season.  Traditionally the Crew have been strong in net and Mason has 4 games including 2 back to backs.  It will be interesting if they will allow him to play all 4 games or give him some rest.  Varlamov has a game in Nashville and will try to keep Checkers Josi and Neal from scoring and then a game vs. Dallas, which will be a conflict going up against Spezza and Benn.

Spezza and Benn will need to be big

Checker mascot ready to dance to 4th title

The Checkers go as the Kings go, and the Kings have 4 games yet to close out the season.  That compared to only 2 by the Stars could spell trouble for the Crew.  With that many players playing that many games, hard to imagine the Checkers don't get their 4th Cup.  If its close, could come down to Sunday's last 2 games.  Flyers take on Islanders.  Crew would have Voracek and goalie Mason vs Checkers goalie Greiss.  If goalie stats tied or close could come down to that game.  Crew will also have Getzlaf going in the final game on Sunday. Crew hold tie breaker going 10-7 vs. the Checkers during regular season.   I look for the Kings players to dominate and give the Checkers their 4th Cherry Cup.