(1) Brandon Wheat Kings vs. (4) Edmonton Oil Kings
The Wheat Kings are the Scotty Munro Trophy winners this season for best regular season record, and despite having been eliminated by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the last two times they've made the playoffs, they've never been favored in either match-up. The shoe is on the other foot this time around, as the Wheat Kings are heavily favored with an all-around solid team that will look to prove predictions of being the Eastern Conference representative correct. The Oil Kings are minus some key players from the last few years, and it showed this year, as they needed almost the entire season to secure a playoff berth. The Oil Kings' hopes for a repeat don't appear likely.
Prediction: Wheat Kings in five
(2) Regina Pats vs. (3) Swift Current Broncos
The Pats ended up a solid second place in the East Division despite trading away players such as Morgan Klimchuk and Kyle Burroughs at the trade deadline. The Pats will be facing another obstacle this year, as they are going to be without rising star Sam Steel for the duration of the playoffs due to injury. The Broncos needed all of the season to claim the last spot in the playoffs, and they appear to be in good form with back-to-back victories to close out the season. An upset could be in the cards, but do the Broncos have enough to do it?
Prediction: Pats in seven
(1) Calgary Hitmen vs. (4) Kootenay Ice
The Hitmen needed the entire season to fend off the Medicine Hat Tigers to win the Central Division. However, they're also facing the same Kootenay Ice team that eliminated them last season, and there is no reason to think the Ice won't be able to do it again. If there was a team that is under the most pressure to win, it's the Hitmen. The Ice are basically the same team as they were last season, only Wyatt Hoflin is in goal instead of Mackenzie Skapski, and the Ice do stand a chance with Sam Reinhart and Jaedon Descheneau on the team. However, the motivation is there for the Hitmen to avenge last year's defeat.
Prediction: Hitmen in six
(2) Medicine Hat Tigers vs. (3) Red Deer Rebels
This match-up promises to be the best of the Eastern Conference. Not much separates these two, with the Tigers being a better offensive team while the Rebels are a better defensive team. You could flip a coin to determine a winner, and you would probably be correct here. However, the Rebels do want to have some momentum heading into next year, when they will be hosting the Memorial Cup tournament.
Prediction: Rebels in seven
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