The Western Hockey League (WHL) is ready to kick off the first round of the postseason on Friday, March 25. On Sunday, the league announced the WHL Playoffs schedule, final seeding and a unique circumstance that will lead to a play-in tie-break game.
On Tuesday, March 22, the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Medicine Hat Tigers will play a tie-break game, with the winner punching a ticket to the postseason and a match against the Eastern Conference’s top-ranked Brandon Wheat Kings.
It's official, we have a TIE-BREAK GAME to get into the #WHLPlayoffs this Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/iQHhOgULCo
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 20, 2016
The Wheat Kings will be looking for redemption. Last year, they were swept in the Final by the Kelowna Rockets 4-0, after dominating the opening three rounds. In each of those opening rounds they didn’t concede more than one game to any opponent.
Kelowna will be looking for another crack at the Memorial Cup after dominating the Quebec Remparts 9-3 in the Memorial Cup semifinals, then falling 2-1 to the Oshawa Generals in overtime for the Cup.
Here’s a full breakdown of the matches that will kick off Friday, with all potential Game 7 tilts taking place by Apr. 6.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Brandon Wheat Kings vs. No. 8 Medicine Hat Tigers or Edmonton Oil Kings
No. 2 Prince Albert Raiders vs. No. 7 Moose Jaw Warriors
No. 3 Lethbridge Hurricanes vs. No. 6 Regina Pats
No. 4 Red Deer Rebels vs. No. 5 Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference
No. 1 Victoria Royals vs. No. 8 Spokane Chiefs
No. 2 Kelowna Rockets vs. No. 7 Kamloops Blazers
No. 3 Seattle Thunderbirds vs. No. 6 Prince George Cougars
No. 4 Everett Silvertips vs. No. 5 Portland Winterhawks
With POR earning 1 point, #VICvsSPO and #EVTvsPOR are set! #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/C1Oms1ZXac
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 20, 2016
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