Round 1 Preview, Part 1

After 56 games in Silver South this season, the regular season has finally ended. There were ups and there were downs; overachievers and underachievers. It was a season that has some fanbases frothing at the mouths with championship visions and other fanbases desperately hoping that the previous three months was merely the greatest possum act ever. Regardless of which end of the spectrum your team falls on, you came to this blog for one reason today: playoff predictions.

So let's get to it, shall we?

#1 Trailside vs. #8 Cryptic Stench

Season Series: 2-0 Trailside (Aggregate Score: 14-4, Trailside)

Trailside Record/Stats: 13-1-0, 26 points, 121 goals for, 71 goals against

Cryptic Stench Record/Stats: 4-9-1 , 9 points, 61 goals for, 88 goals against

Why Trailside wins:

Because they are better. Talent wise, no team boasts more of it. They can score (only team to net more than 100 goals) and they have the best goalie in the league. Barring a plague disarming the team this weekend (or perhaps, and more reasonable, an exodus to colleges), Trailside skates into round two without ever coming close to jeopardizing their season.

Why Crypic Stench wins:

The Bubonic Plague rears its ugly head and wipes out Trailside.

Upset Potential: 0 out of 5 (sorry, it's not even possible)

Prediction: 11-3 Trailside

#2 Puck Ewes vs. #7 Red Army

Season Series: 1-1 (Aggregate Score: 11-6, Red Army)

Puck Ewes Record/Stats: 8-5-1, 17 points, 85 goals for, 85 goals against

Red Army Record/Stats: 5-8-1, 11 points, 75 goals for, 77 goals against

Why the Puck Ewes win:

Speed and a talented roster. The Puck Ewes may be the only team in the league without a weak link or two. There is no player on their roster that opposing teams can focus their attack on and exploit. Top to bottom, they are solid. They may not have the star power that other teams have, but make no mistake about it, they were playing in Gold Division last season for a reason.

Why the Red Army wins:

If D'Ignazio and Hendricks can provide scoring and the team plays the way it has been playing recently, with a more concentrated effort on defense, the Puck Ewes are going to have their hands full. Andy Schram is definitely the x-factor. If he shows up like he has in past playoffs, the Soviets may find themselves in the second round...a near impossible thought two weeks ago.

Upset Potential: 5 out of 5

Prediction: 7-5 Red Army

Round 1 Preview, Part 2 will be published Thursday afternoon.

Red Army vs. Puck Ewes Match-Up/Primer will be published Friday morning.