WINNER: TheCrown — 2012 WHL Hockey Playoffs

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated

[flexmaster33]

brackets are updated...Kelowna (TheCrown) and Victoria (grandilof) are the first to close out their first-round series -- Kelowna with a tough Game 7 and Victoria in a sweep.

[TheCrown]

flex played his heart out... great series! I was actually rooting for him to win, but my killer instinct took over.

[flexmaster33]

for the record, the real Winterhawks are going for a sweep of the Rockets tonight

[denominator]

for the record, the real Winterhawks are going for a sweep of the Rockets tonight

The WHL seems really unbalanced this year, especially the East. Everett and Victoria just sucked, and Kelowna wasn't much better.

[flexmaster33]

Yes, we're doing a 2nd round preview likely for our weekend edition and that's one of the things we'll be focusing on...the only first-round series in doubt at all is Vancouver-Spokane in the West...from here out though it's going to be some good hockey.

[denominator]

Yes, we're doing a 2nd round preview likely for our weekend edition and that's one of the things we'll be focusing on...the only first-round series in doubt at all is Vancouver-Spokane in the West...from here out though it's going to be some good hockey.

Two sweeps in the west too... and my Hitmen lost in 5. I'm a bit miffed that they made that series 2-3-2, but the way the Hitmen played it wouldn't have mattered anyways.

I'm hoping Portland makes it far - watching Rattie and Bartschi play is exactly why I watch WHL hockey.

[flexmaster33]

Yes, it's a good team. I'd be surprised if they didn't return to the finals...excited for the Kamloops series ahead...ready to get my tix

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated...Vancouver is the latest team to advance...congrats to Viper on a first-round sweep.

[denominator]

Yes, it's a good team. I'd be surprised if they didn't return to the finals...excited for the Kamloops series ahead...ready to get my tix

I'm anticipating Edmonton to come out of the East. If my schedule works out, I'd probably make the trip up (or down to Medicine Hat) to see Portland in the finals.

[flexmaster33]

Brackets are updated...onto the conference semis in the West, while the East has some long opening series...Saskatoon and Medicine Hat are headed into a Game 7

[flexmaster33]

Real WHL second round starts tonight...one of the few times the Blazers get booed in Portland -- when Kamloops comes to town. Go Winterhawks!!!

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated...congrats to ViperOverLord and the Vancouver Giants for being the first to reach a Conference final.

Only one first-round series remains undecided with Edmonton and Kootenay going to a game 7 -- the third seven-game tilt of the opening round.

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated

[TheCrown]

Who can beat Viperoverlord even a single game? He is undefeated! I CAN!!! Coming for you buddy.

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated...closing in on conference finals matchups.

[flexmaster33]

Brackets updated...Kelowna faces a Game 7 for the second straight series, while Edmonton wins three straight to advance to the second round in the East.

[flexmaster33]

Kelowna survives another Game 7, advancing to face Vancouver in the West Finals...opening games in that series have been sent.

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated

[flexmaster33]

Congrats to TheCrown, who reeled off four straight wins to lead the Kelowna Rockets to the Western Conference championship. Brackets updated.

[flexmaster33]

Moose Jaw reaches the East Finals.

On a sidenote...congrats to the real Winterhawks on their sweep of Tri-City to reach the WHL Finals for a second straight season...quite the game last night...my throat is still sore.

[flexmaster33]

Looks like we're closing in on our finals matchup with Edmonton on the verge of going up 3-1 in the East.

[flexmaster33]

brackets updated...Edmonton is officially through to the finals...but it's the Kelowna Rockets with a quick 2-0 lead in the finals series.