A year ago, Portland Winterhawks head coach and general manager Mike Johnston was nervous about how his team would react to the pressure of postseason hockey.
There are no such worries this year.
The Winterhawks carry the top record in the Western Conference into the Western Hockey League playoffs, which begin with games today and Sunday at the Rose Garden.
At first glance, the first-round matchup with the eighth-seeded Everett Silvertips looks one-sided for Portland. The Winterhawks won nine of the 10 regular-season games between the teams, and finished 36 points better in the standings.
But don’t expect the Winterhawks to take anything for granted. For one thing, the Silvertips have the advantage of playing with a nothing-to-lose attitude.
“First place playing eighth place, there’s a lot of pressure on us,” Winterhawks center Craig Cunningham said. “During the series, things aren’t always going to go our way. But I really believe that if we just continue to play the way we’ve played all year and ramp it up a bit, we’ll be fine.”
Cunningham should know.
The 20-year-old forward, acquired from Vancouver in a midseason trade, played in 58 WHL playoff games over his four seasons with the Giants. He said he sees similarities between these Winterhawks and the best of those Giants’ squads.
“Obviously we’re a very confident group,” Cunningham said. “Anytime you have guys who believe, it’s a lot of fun coming to the rink every day. I think that’s the biggest thing, believing that you can win.”
There is plenty of reason to believe Portland will prevail in this best-of-7 series.
Portland ranked third in the WHL with 303 goals during the season. Everett scored only 172, but the Silvertips allowed only 218 goals, fourth fewest in the league.
“I think they’re a very good skating team overall, a good puck-movement team,” Johnston said of the Silvertips.
The big question out of Everett is if top goalie Kent Simpson will play this weekend. Simpson, who shut out Portland on Feb. 25, hasn’t played since suffering a sprained ankle on March 4. Forward Landon Ferraro, the Tips’ captain, is expected to return from injury for the series.
Portland, meanwhile, appears to be pretty good shape.
No. 1 goalie Mac Carruth is sharp, according to Johnston. Carruth was sidelined by head and leg injuries late in the season, giving backup Keith Hamilton a chance to shine in some important games as the Winterhawks battled for the conference’s top spot.
“It’s huge for our backup goalie to step in like that and play that well for us when we needed him most,” Ryan Johansen said, adding that the Winterhawks will be plenty confident whoever is between the pipes.
Recently named the Winterhawks MVP and a first-team Western Conference all-star, Johansen did wonders for his NHL future by posting six goals and 12 assists in 13 playoff games last season, an effort that helped him climb to the No. 4 overall draft pick by Columbus.
“I’ve always loved playoff hockey,” Johansen said. “I always seem to raise my game up to a really high level.”
With their experience and NHL-bound firepower, the Winterhawks believe the 2011 playoff journey can reach a level not seen in Portland since the club won the 1998 Memorial Cup.
WHL playoffs
Portland vs, Everett
Schedule: Today at Portland (Rose Garden), 7 p.m.; Sunday at Portland (RG), 5 p.m.; Wednesday at Everett, 7 p.m.; Thursday at Everett, 7 p.m.; April 2 at Portland (RG), 7 p.m.; April 4 at Everett, 7 p.m.; April 6 at Portland (RG), 7 p.m.
Everett player to watch: Ryan Murray (No. 27) is only 17, but considered one of the top defensmen in the league. He is effective directing the Silvertips’ power play.
Portland player to watch: Take your pick. These Winterhawks are loaded with future NHL skill players on offense.
Everett can advance if: Portland implodes, the Silvertips take advantage of Winterhawks penalties, and goalie Kent Simpson plays hero.
Portland will advance if: The Winterhawks play with the purpose and poise that carried them to the top of the conference.
Prediction: Portland in 5 games.
