Portland Winterhawks vs. Kelowna Rockets

Portland Winterhawks vs. Kelowna Rockets

Schedule (best of 7)

Game 1: Today at Portland (Rose Garden), 7 p.m.

Game 2: Sunday at Portland (RG), 5 p.m.

Game 3: Tuesday at Kelowna, 7 p.m.

Game 4: Wednesday at Kelowna, 7 p.m.

Game 5: April 15 at Portland (RG), 7 p.m. (if necessary)

Game 6: April 17 at Kelowna, 5 p.m. (if necessary)

Game 7: April 19 at Portland (RG), 7 p.m. (if necessary)

Kelowna players to watch

Geordie Wudrick, a 20-year-old left wing, led the Rockets with 43 goals. Right-wing Shane McColgan, in his NHL Draft year, had three goals and seven assists in the first-round sweep of Prince George. 19-year-old goalie Adam Brown, one of several Rockets who were on the 2009 Kelowna Memorial Cup team, allowed 13 goals to Prince George in the four first-round games.

Key numbers

U.S. Division champion Portland was 50-19-0-3 during the regular season; B.C. Division champion Kelowna was 43-28-0-1.

Portland was 3-1 against the Rockets.

Both teams swept their opening-round series.

Portland ranked fourth in the league on the power play and fourth on the penalty kill; Kelowna ranked 11th on the power play and third on the penalty kill.

Did you know?

The Winterhawks and Rockets haven’t met in the playoffs since 1994, when Portland swept the then-Tacoma Rockets 4-0. The team moved from the Tacoma Dome to Kelowna in the 1995-96 season.

Mike Johnston says

“I thought (Kelowna) played well (in sweeping Prince George). They got some timely goals in the third period. I thought they played a good steady game all around. They are a real physical, gritty-style team, good defensively.”

Kelowna will advance if

Portland suddenly becomes overconfident, the Rockets take advantage of Winterhawks penalties, and goalie Kent Simpson plays hero.

Portland will advance if

The Winterhawks continue to get to the front of the net and force opponents into penalties while avoiding undisciplined penalties of their own.

Prediction

Portland in 5 games.

— Paul Danzer