Playoff snapshot

Four of the six playoff teams will be in action Friday. The two top seeds, Whalers (1) and Eskimos (2) will be home holding down their couches, sweating in anticipation of their following Friday opponent. With that, let's break down Friday's 2 playoff games.

Maple Leafs #3 (7-5) -vs- Rirruto #6 (7-5)
Rirruto is coming off a three game win streak to close the session, including an impressive 5-3 win over the defending champ Freakin' Eskimos and their yellow sweaters. They've scored 13 goals and have only given up 5 during that span. The closest game was against the amazingly fantastic Arrowhawks and their super cool red sweaters (and goofy socks).

The only downside? Rirruto has been outscored 12-3 and has lost both contests against the Leafs this session. The games were not close.

Prediction? Rirruto fight hard but come up a goal short. Leafs center Johnny Red-Pants Mark Waterstreet leads the Leafs to a 4-3 win.

Bombers #4 (7-5) -vs - Arrowhawks #5 (7-5)
This will be a tight one. Both regular session games were decided by a goal, more or less (technically the Bombers defeated the Hawks 4-2 in their last game but got a late empty netter to ice the game).

"A goal is a goal, " said Arrowhawk captain Mark Monahan. "I can't believe we lost the tie-breaker to them based on that empty netter."

Finishing below the Bombers in the seeding means the Bombers are the home team and they'll wear their crimson sweaters. The Hawks will wear their vintage black sweaters.

"Who cares," said defenseman Mike Gauthier. "As long as my socks match, we're good. We've won 4 championships in black."

Statistically the teams are tight. They are within a point of each other in goal differential, goals scored and goals allowed. The top two point men in the league are Kevin Griffith (Hawks) and James Chomic (Bombers), both capable of taking the game over.

The difference will likely be between the pipes. Arrowhawks netminder James Santho has a 1.2 advantage in goals against. If the Hawks have their regular defenseman, they should be able to contain Chomic and Co.

Prediction? Hawks 3 Bombers 2. Excellent goaltending by both clubs but Mike Gauthier's blast from the point is the difference.

"Did you say blast or gas?" asked a confused Mac Lawless. "Must have been the latter..." he snipped.

---

If that stellar breakdown of upcoming hockey action wasn't entirely satisfying (like watching Gooch trying to break-up a 2-1 odd man rush), maybe this'll fit the bill: Good Blue Jacket read on top prospect Ryan Johansen.