CFHL Playoffs Round 1

 Well the games didn't change much from the latest weekly updates.  Raisins were able to defeat the Krampus Carols 4-2 and the Assassins had little trouble with the Mambas 6-0.

California Raisins vs. Krampus Carols 4-2

The expectation for the Krampus was to take both goalie categories with Frederik Andersen and Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes.  Plus the Krampus surprised the Raisins winning assists and PPP.  They would have won this game if their goalies lived up to expectations.  Instead they only got 1 win and a SV% of .876, while the Raisins Thatcher Demko had 2 wins and SV% or .925.  Ullmark got hurt but posted a SV% of 1.000 for the week that actually helped.  The Raisins move on and will play their bitter rival the Greek Empire!

Assassins vs. White Mambas 6-0

This game wasn't close all week.  Assassins took quick lead early and never gave it up beating the White Mambas handily in all categories, as big as 13 assists and 12 more Hits!  All of this with a pretty pedestrian week from Connor McDavid.  He didn't have a goal and only 2 assists with 2 PPP.  Matthew Tkachuk picked up the slack with 5 goals for the week.  Assassins move on and play Who Gives a Puck for the right to play in the Cherry Cup Finals. 

Cherry Cup Semi-finals

Assassins at Who Gives a Puck - This will be a tough test for the home team Who Gives a Puck playing the second ranked team in the league.  Assassins bring talent all over the ice.  Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Alex DeBrincat, Matthew Tkachuk (coming off a huge week) and Bobrovsky and Shesterkin in net.  Who Gives a Puck matches up with Bergeron, Rantanen and Kirill "the Thrill" Kaprizov, Roman Josi and heavy hitter Tom Wilson.  Husso and Talbot will be in net for the Puck and are a significant drop off from Assassins goalies. 

Prediction:  Assassins come at you from every direction and I don't think the Puck have the talent to keep up.  Assassins 4-2 

California Raisins at Greek Empire - Huge matchup.  Bitter rivals!  Greek Empire finished the regular season with the best record in the league.  However their best player Auston Matthews is banged up and may miss a few games.  He led the league in goals with 58!  They will have to rely on Aho, Tavares and Timo Meier along with blue liners Letang and Adam Fox.  Empire are also banged up in net with Jarry out.  However Jacob Markstrom has been solid with 35 wins on the season.  The Raisins are coming in firing on all cylinders with Draisaitl, Eichel, Huberdeau and Nylander.  Blue line is heavy with three players with 100+ hits.   Demko has been a nice surprise between the pipes.

Prediction:  This could be a close one, but if Matthews is out for any time it could mean trouble for The Empire.  Raisins 4-2

CFHL Playoffs

 

The playoffs are set and it wasn't quite what was expected.  The Greek Empire, knowing they didn't want to face the Checkers in the playoffs, made sure they wouldn't by thumping them 6-0 in the final week!  This allowed the White Mambas to sneak into the playoffs.  The Checkers lost to the Greek Empire by only one goal and only .002 SV%.  Ouch.  Auston Matthews has been on fire for the Empire scoring 7 goals this week.

The Greek Empire was the top seed and get a bye in the first round.  Who Gives a Puck won the Smythe division and gets the 2nd bye.  So what are the first round matchups?  

White Mambas at Alex's Assassins - The Mambas prize of getting into the playoffs is to play the 2nd best team in the league with 181 points, only 2 points behind the Greek Empire.  The Assassins will be tough to beat with Connor McDavid leading the team.  Not to mention DeBrincat and in goal Igor Shesterkin.  Stamkos and Kyle Connor will have to have big weeks for the Mamba to have a chance.  I don't see this match up very close at all.  

Prediction: Assassins 5-1

Krampus Carols at California Raisins - A team led by Draisaitl has to be feared.  The Captain of the Raisins has had a career year and leads the team with 50 goals.  Huberdeau adds 77 assists plus nearly 100 hits.  Krampus Carols are led by the duo in net of Andersen and Vasilevskiy, two of the best goalies in the league.  They will keep the Carols in this game.  They can take both Goalie categories plus one more maybe they can sneak a 4th for a win.  This could be close.

Prediction: Raisins 3-2-1