Friday: coast-to-coast rush
Your junior hockey headlines ... going west to east as part of a continuing effort to eliminate eastern bias by 2012.
WHL
As so often happens in the playoffs, a big win was keyed by goals from unlikely sources. In its 5-2 series-tying road win over Vancouver, Tri-City got goals from Brett Plouffe (his first of the playoffs) and Adam Hughesman (his first since Game 1 of the previous playoff round). (Tri-City Herald, Vancouver Province)
Calgary centre Cody Sylvester's nine-goal post-season output is only one off what he had in the regular season. The Hitmen are up 3-1 on Brandon with Game 5 at home tonight. (Calgary Herald)
Even with a 3-1 lead, the Hitmen remain in search of a complete effort. Tough room. (Calgary Sun)
OHL
One Kitchener Rangers fan, Javier Prior, lined up at 12:30 a.m. to get his ticket for tonight's Game 6 between K-Town and the surging Windsor Spitfires. (Waterloo Region Record)
The OHL will presesnt its top defenceman award today. Windsor's Ryan Ellis has the most name recognition, but Sault Ste. Marie's Jacob Muzzin was both the leading scorer on shutdown D-man on a Greyhounds team which allowed just 209 goals in the regular season.
Barrie's Nick Crawford is also nominated. The Colts' high-octane offence overshadowed the fact they only allowed 186 goals in regular season. (Sault Star)
In retrospect, it is amazing Brampton finished fifth in the Eastern Conference despite scoring only 167 goals. (The Brampton News)
QMJHL
Moncton has its first chance to eliminate Drummondville tonight, but it's still on the list of NHL and CHL teams which have been burned by goofy goals in these playoffs (sportsnet.ca)
