CFHL 2018 Playoffs Round 1

In what I would call an unexpected development, the two teams that leading up to the playoffs seemed to back into the playoffs, not playing their best hockey, turned up their game play and both upset their opponents.

La Femme Nikita 4  AshBusters 2
In the dreaded Husband/Wife match up La Femme Nikita defeated their husband and defending Cherry Cup Champs AshBusters.  It had seemed the AshBusters were in command all week but Saturday games came and Nikita took the lead going into Sunday with very few players left.  It was close as La Femme Nikita edged the Ashbusters in goals by one, plus minus by one, hits by only 4 and they tied in their goalie wins.  Zibanejad had 3 goals for Nikita and Jaden Schwartz scored 2 goals, 2 assists and a +3.  Both teams had some heavy hitters as Colin Miller for Nikita had 12 hits as did the AshBusters' Jamie Benn.  Must have been an interesting week and weekend in the Johnston household.

Zibanejad celebrates the upset victory

Thus ends the AshBusters quest for a repeat to keep the Cherry Cup.  In a season which they looked like the team to beat all year just goes to show you all you have to do is get into the playoffs and anything can happen.

Who Gives a Puck 4  Krampus Carols 2
In another upset the Puck defeated the Krampus Carols behind outstanding performances from Crosby (3g, 3a, +2, and 6 hits), Taylor Hall (2g, 3a, +2 and 3 hits), and Arvidsson (2g, 3a, +3).  Cam Atkinson of the Krampus Carols was overshadowed in the loss scoring 3 goals, 2 helpers and a +5 with a PPP and 3 hits.  Krampus Carols have continued to be disappointed with their two Blackhawk stars of Toews and Kane.  They only combined for 1 goal and 3 assist and a terrible -4.  But Dougie Hamilton had a -6 on his own for Krampus.

Sid the kid helped the Puck defeat the Krampus

Playoffs 2nd Round Match Ups:

La Femme Nikita at Mayhem on Ice

Laine, a handsome fellow...

The Mayhem have been the hottest team in the league lead by Malkin and Laine.  They have a physical presence in Kane as he pounds the boards.  Nikita, coming off their huge first round upset of the AshBusters need big games from their Flames Giordano and Gaurdeau and strong goalie play behind Tuukka Rask. 
Prediction:  Its going to be hard to hold down the Mayhem with their firepower.  Mayhem win 4-3
(currently La Femme Nikita are up 4-2 at press time.  Another upset in the making?)

Who Gives a Puck at Cherry's Checkers

Checkers looking to these two to bring them back to the finals

The Checkers are looking to make it to the Cherry Cup Finals for a chance at a fifth Cherry Cup while the Puck, are looking to try to win it's second.  Overall skaters seems to favor Who Gives a Puck with the likes of Crosby, Hall, Tarasenko and Oshie.  Checkers look to their Oilers combination of McDavid and Draisaitl.  Checkers hold an advantage with Goalies behind Rinne and Quick. 
Prediction: This one will be close and the Checkers will come away with the victory behind their goalies 3-2.  (At press time the Checkers are up 6-1)