Playoff Preview

First Place: Victorias (9-3-4, 22 PTS)

After a lost year that saw them slip to third place, the Vics returned strong in Season 4 and reclaimed their customary spot at the top of the standings. As such, they've earned an automatic berth in the Creighton Cup Finals and will play the winner of the wild card game. The Vics will be a tough opponent in that series, as they boast a potent combination of offense and defense. They scored at a rate of 3.13 goals per game (second in the league) and allowed only 2.13 (first in the league and the best single-season mark in league history). Scoring a full goal per game more than they allowed, the Vics racked up a +16 goal differential that tied for first in the league. Led by their two superstars -- offensive-minded defenseman Cyclone Taylor (13 G, 15 A, +8) and goaltender Bowse Hutton (2.13 GAA, .924 save percentage) -- the Victorias are looking to win their third Creighton Cup in four years.

Second Place (1st Wild Card): Bulldogs (8-4-4, 20 PTS)

A record of 0-2-2 against the Vics cost this dominant team the first-place finish they deserved. They scored at a ridiculous rate of 3.63 goals per game (first in the league and the second-highest single-season average ever) and, like the Vics, they gave up exactly one fewer goal per game than they scored (2.63, good enough for second in the league); the Bulldogs, too, had a goal differential of +16. This team is loaded with talent. Gord Roberts led the league in scoring (12 G, 18 A, +10), and Bruce Stuart (7 G, 18 A, +8) and Tommy Dunderdale (10 G, 13 A, +8) both finished in the top five. Rookie defenseman Jack Laviolette tied the single-season record for plus/minus (+13). I should also mention the crucial role of supporting players like Scotty Davidson, Tom Hooper, and Oliver Seibert, all of whom had career years. I fully expect the Bulldogs to annihilate the Thistles in the wild card game. 

Third Place (2nd Wild Card): Thistles (6-8-2, 14 PTS)

The Thistles finished a very distant third, edging out the Comets and Millionaires by a couple of points for the final playoff spot. Their 2.69 goals per game, 3.13 goals against, and -7 goal differential all ranked third in the league. This team is making its second straight appearance in the playoffs, but in many ways Season 4 has been a step backwards for the Thistles; centers Dan Bain and Tommy "Tools" Smith, along with defenseman Hod Stuart and netminder Riley Hern, all regressed from their award-winning Season 3 performances. How, then, did they make it back to the postseason? Star wingers Alf Smith (16 G, 8 A, -1) and Tommy Phillips (8 G, 12 A, -1) carried the team with MVP-caliber seasons. Additionally, midseason pickup Fred Whitcroft helped improve the league's worst power play by a full 10% in the second half.