With two weeks left in the SHL season, the playoff picture is coming into focus. The expanded four-team field hasn’t been officially set quite yet, but it’s all but certain which teams will head to the postseason.
In the West, the matchup features a pair of old rivals and longtime powers. The Michigan Gray Wolves officially punched their playoff ticket last week, which comes as no surprise; they’ve been the division all season by a wide margin. On Saturday, they clinched the division title with a 5-2 win over Boston.
“This is one step on our journey,” said Wolves coach Ron Wright. “What we’ve accomplished is a testament to the hard work we’ve put in this season. Obviously, our goals are larger than this. If we win the division but don’t win the Vandy, we won’t consider the season a true success. But we don’t expect this to be an easy road; we know we’ll have to fight for it.”
Meanwhile, the Anchorage Igloos have not been performing up to their usual high standards for much of the season, but they’ve gotten hot down the stretch, going 12-3-1 in their last 16 games. The Igloos are now on the brink of clinching a playoff spot, and prepare to face Michigan for a chance to go to make their third trip to the SHL Finals in four seasons.
“They say it’s important to peak at the right time,” said Igloos C Jake Frost. “Well, we believe we’re right where we need to be. We’re playing our best hockey of the year going into the playoffs, and that’s perfect. Michigan better not take us for granted.”
Meanwhile, the Eastern playoff is set to feature a pair of rising powers and playoff newcomers with very different styles. The Hamilton Pistols were widely considered to be a strong contender in the making, but most observers figured that they were still a year or two away. But with the defending champions Hershey Bliss stumbling out of the gate and the two-time division winner Washington Galaxy falling apart down the stretch, the Pistols are set to punch their first-ever playoff ticket.
Hamilton’s success has been built on a fast pace and a highly efficient offense, with LW Steven Alexander leading the way. Second-year netminder Lasse Koskinen, nicknamed the “human goal eraser,” has taken care of business in the defensive end.
“We’ve got a frisky bunch of young pups here,” said Hamilton coach Keith Shields. “We’ve got the talent and the desire to go all the way. We’ll see what happens come playoff time, but I’m thrilled to pieces with how far we’ve come already. I couldn’t be prouder of my boys.”
Meanwhile, the Quebec Tigres are also close to making their first-ever trip to the postseason. Unlike the Pistols, who try to turn every game into a track meet, the Tigres succeed by slowing the pace, using their stout defense and goalie Riki Tiktuunen to keep opposing attacks muzzled. The acquisition of free-agent LW Walt Camernitz has proved huge, as he has helped propel Quebec’s offense from awful to adequate, which has been enough to lift the Tigres from the basement to the penthouse.
When coach Martin Delorme left a powerhouse Michigan squad to coach his hometown team, some thought he’d made a huge mistake. It’s been a sweet redemption for him, as three years of effort are starting to bear fruit. “For those who thought I could never make the playoffs with this team,” the coach told reporters, “where are you now? This season, the critics have suddenly lost their voices.”
What remains to be seen is which of the Canadian teams will have home-ice advantage in their matchup. Hamilton has been out in front throughout the season, but they’ve cooled a bit lately, and Quebec has crept within 4 points of them.
“I don’t know if we’ll finish on top or if they’ll beat us out,” said Alexander. “But I don’t think it really matters. We’re both damn good teams, and I think it’ll come down to who can set the pace and dictate the game. Should be a hell of a series.”
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