The Kelowna Rockets know what to expect this weekend: the same type of series they just finished playing.
The Rockets left Wednesday for Manitoba and Games 1 and 2 of the Western Hockey League championship series, Friday and Saturday against the Brandon Wheat Kings. It should be an offensive affair, as Brandon and Kelowna finished first and second, respectively, in scoring during the regular season. The Wheat Kings had a league-high 340 goals, while Kelowna was second at 305.
In third, at 289, were the Calgary Hitmen, whom the Wheat Kings beat in the Eastern Conference championship. In fourth, at 287, were the Portland Winterhawks, who Kelowna beat in the Western Conference championship, with the Rockets winning that series 4-2.
"They're a high-skilled team, a lot of offensive power," Rockets forward Tyson Baillie said of the Wheat Kings after practice Tuesday at Prospera Place. "They have a lot of depth, too, just like us. Great defence and good goaltending."
Against Portland, the Rockets faced a team of similar ilk, though the Wheat Kings get the edge in defence in that comparison. As for forwards, call it a wash, with Brandon having an edge in depth but Portland having higher-end star power.
In top-20 playoff scoring, Portland's Nic Petan is leading with 10 goals and 28 points, while teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand is second with 13 goals and 25 points. In second is Calgary's Adam Tambellini (13 goals, 25 points).
Following those three, Kelowna has four in the top 20, with Leon Draisaitl fourth (6-15-21), Tyson Baillie fifth (9-11-20), Nick Merkley sixth (2-18-20) and Madison Bowey 12th (7-9-16). Portland has four in the top 20.
Brandon, meanwhile, has six in the top 20: John Quenneville seventh (10-9-19); Jayce Hawryluk ninth (10-8-18); Tim McGauley 11th (6-11-17); Peter Quenneville 13th (7-9-16), Rihards Bukarts 16th (2-13-15); and Nolan Patrick 19th (7-6-13).
Asked if Kelowna is planning to change its playoff tactics for Brandon, Baillie said "No. We're going to keep going the same way like we have. We've been getting better all playoffs; just keep going hard."
"They're a skilled team like Portland; they like to play a fast-paced game," offered Rockets captain Bowey, adding "we have to slow them down and make sure we're battling and competing for a full 60, and that's being on the body every chance we get."
In breaking down the Wheat Kings' offence, Rockets head coach Dan Lambert said "When you look at their lineup, and the way they play, they're similar to Portland in some aspects. They like to activate their defence, and they're a big part of their team, to be honest with you. The difference is, probably, that against Portland, we could really focus on two players, where against (Brandon), everybody's going to have to do their job every single shift."
Lambert added "physicality is a big part of playoff hockey. You look at the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets series; there were close to 100 hits every night. Certainly they're going to have a game plan of being physical and ours will probably be similar."
