The Weekly Ignition: More Playoffs

The NHL’s playoff races are heating up! The NCAA tournament brackets are set! Playoffs in the CHL are now well-underway. Here’s your weekly catch-up on what’s happening around the Flames-related hockey world.

The Vancouver Giants trail the Portland Winterhawks 2-0 in an outcome very few people saw coming. (Except the opposite.) They’ve been out-scored 7-3 by the Portland powerhouse. Newly-signed Flames prospect Brett Kulak leads his team in scoring…with two points. The series continues with games in Vancouver on Tuesday and Wednesday. It’ll be impressive if the Giants can win a game.

Similarly, Coda Gordon’s Swift Current Broncos trail the Medicine Hat Tigers 2-0 in their opening round series. Both of the games were fairly close (2-1 and 4-2), though. Gordon has 2 assists and a team-leading 6 penalty minutes.

In a clash of Flames prospects, Eric Roy’s Brandon Wheat Kings lead Morgan Klimchuk’s Regina Pats 2-0. Brandon’s out-scored Regina 14-7 so far. Roy missed Game 2 with an injury and has zero points. Klimchuk has a pair of goals.

Based on two one-goal wins, Keegan Kanzig’s Victoria Royals have a 2-0 lead over the Spokane Chiefs. Kanzig has zero points, but also zero penalty minutes.

Emile Poirier’s Gatineau Olympiques lead Cape Breton 2-0 in their series. Neither game was close, and Gatineau is out-scoring them 15-4. Poirier has 4 goals so far.

Ryan Culkin’s Drummondville Voltigeurs are tied 1-1 with the Victoriaville Tigres. Culkin has 2 assists. Both games were one-goal games.

Johnny Gaudreau, Bill Arnold and the Boston College Eagles face the Denver Pioneers (whose alumni include Joe Colborne and Chris Butler) on Saturday. The Pioneers finished sixth in their conference, but got hot and won their conference tournament. The Eagles have been off for awhile after losing to Notre Dame in their tournament’s opening round.

The Colgate Raiders (and Tim “Who?” Harrison) were runners-up in their conference tournament, and play Ferris State in the NCAA regionals. Harrison didn’t get any points, but he played in every game.

The Providence College Friars play Quinnipiac in their regional opener after losing in the Hockey East conference semis.

Much much more on the NCAA tournament this weekend.