Bored at work on the last day before Holiday seasons, prediction of the way too early Continental Cup Play-offs!!

[Gaikoku-hito 2,144]

Last day of School for me and all my classes have been canceled so I am bored out of my mind sitting here for six or so hours but like the fact that I am still be paid but since I have a ton of time; I guess I better find something interesting to do.

 

So, bring on the playoff predictions:

 

European Conference: Wildcard

 

HC Davos Dynamo vs Warsaw Predators

Starting with this one since it should be the most lopsided Wildcard that I think of since I joined the league back in S75. Davos should easily win this in 3-0; with the current regular season also leaning towards Davos as Davos won the series 4-1.

Prediction: HC Davos Dynamo

 

 

North American Conference: Wildcard

 

New York Americans vs Chicago Phoenix

 

This one should be a great series with expectation that this series should be going the full distance of five games. When I look at these teams on paper; I would give the edge to New York but head to head during the regular season and the stats currently favor Chicago as Chicago won the regular season 4-2 (1 SOW) so I will give the edge to Chicago in my final predictions in five games.

Prediction: Chicago Phoenix

 

North American Conference: First Round:

 

Calgary Wranglers vs Chicago Phoenix

 

If you believe in curses and the wildcard boost then you will be thinking this series will be won by Chicago; which it easily could be with three of the five games being decided in a shoot out. This series should also be a really interesting to watch with the edge being given to Calgary but question marks around young tender Spider Panda means I think this series could go either way. Likely six or seven game but I will pick Calgary to win this series!!

Prediction: Calgary Wranglers 

 

Vancouver Wolves vs Seattle Bears

 

Battle of the pacific northwest as these to rivals look to sink the claws and teeth into each other again in the first round of the play-offs. It will be a huge series and a familiar since these two teams actually played each other seven times in the regular season with Seattle winning the series due to a shoot out victory taking the series 4-3. So clearly there isn`t much between these two teams and a coining flip might decide who comes out of this series. My unbiased opinion; I have Vancouver surviving this series as I think they are slightly better then the Bears but it should go seven games regardless of the winner.

Prediction: Vancouver Wolves

 

European Conference: First Round

 

Moscow Menace vs HC Davos Dynamo

 

If you believe in the Wildcard boost and the Victory cup curse then you will like my prediction but it is also based on a more data then curses or lore as HC Davos actually won the regular season series between these teams 3-2 and if my failing memory doesn`t fail me; Davos also beat Moscow last season in the first round. While I don`t expect Davos to sweep the Victory Cup winning Moscow Menace this time; I am still going to expect the upset in the series so I am predicting HC Davos in six games but it could also go seven.

Prediction: HC Davos Dynamo 

 

Riga Reign vs Malmo Nighthawks

 

Let me pretend that I actually paid attention to the European league this season with four team clearly making the play-offs before the season even started so wow, I am surprised to see Riga (the defending Champs) playing Malmo in the first round in a rematch of last season. This rather suggest the European conference is bound to repeat history as I give the edge to Riga again this season and the regular season series also suggest that Riga should take this series as they won the series 3-1 with a game being played later today! Riga in six; I guess but could also be done sooner!!

 Prediction: Riga Reign

 

North American Conference: Finals

 

Calgary Wranglers vs Vancouver Wolves

 

I was going to tip Calgary to win this series and I still think they are the 104+ points favorites and also based on the past few games that Vancouver and Calgary played head to head; as the 4-0 & 4-1 scores suggest that Calgary has Vancouver number. That being said the regular season series finished tied at 3-3 so I am going to guess that trading for Bobby Bob as turned the tide in Calgary favor in this series. Calgary could easily sweep this series 4-0 based on the past two games but I think Vancouver has more pride so will at least take the series to six games.

 Prediction: Calgary Wranglers

European Conference: Finals  

 

Riga Reign vs HC Davos Dynamo

 

Not much to chose between these two teams but I think that Riga has taken a slight step back from last season when these two teams meet leading to Riga winning the Championship. Davos has another season of growth and development and will want revenge so I actually think HC Davos will end the run of the defending Champions here. Regular season series also suggest Davos as the won the regular season series 3-2.  So, I have Davos winning in six games; I guess!!

 Prediction: HC Davos Dynamo

 

Continental Cup Finals:

Calgary Wranglers vs HC Davos Dynamo

Head to head this series should make a great final as the teams tied the regular season series 2-2 but Calgary had the edge in offense with more goals and shots so rather suggest that Calgary had Davos on the ropes in most of the games played. Edge Calgary but remember we have a boosted team from Wildcard once again in the finals and if you believe as I do; then this should go the way of HC Davos in six or seven games!! I have Davos winning this season!!

Prediction: HC Davos Dynamo

 

Conclusion:

Overall I think that these play-offs are wide open as any team can actually beat one another but in the end only one team will lift the cup at the end of the season. I would have loved to have Vancouver Wolves and Moscow met in the Continental Cup final as it would have seen Spartan versus Spartan or Victory Cup Curse versus the Spartan Curse; which one do you think is stronger and would win out the day? It should be a very interesting play-offs with many different story lines so I am excited to see what happens!! 

 

Dec 1st & Dec 8th claims?

[Banackock 8,145]

BEARS MOTHA FUGGA

[Lemorse7 1,021]

Gaiko curse 

 oh no no no

[Gaikoku-hito 2,144]

Dec 8th Claim