The Big Ice Report – Your Weekly European/Minor League Hockey Roundup – Week of 4/5

Welcome to your premier roundup of varying minor hockey leagues that tend not to get the media attention globally, where we will try to keep you informed of what’s happening in hockey worldwide. Each week, a contributor from Reddit’s r/hockey will give a rundown of the past week’s action in their particular league, along with what to look forward to in the next week.

To jump directly to a league, just click the following links, but if you’re looking for a good hockey read, just start scrolling.

DEL – German 1st League

Liiga – Finnish 1st League

Western Hockey League – US/Canada Major Junior League

DEL WEEKLY ROUNDUP  contribution by (/u/BoilerUp218) 

The semifinals are in full swing, with Red Bull München taking on 7th-seeded Kölner Haie, and EHC Wolfsburg facing Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of Nuremberg. The first series has been the interesting one, with Munich and Cologne going back and forth with 5-1 victories to each side in the first two games. Game three in Munich was also less than exciting, with Red Bull taking a 3-0 lead into the 58th minute, ultimately winning the game 3-1.  The series heads back to Cologne on Wednesday when the Sharks attempt to even up the series.

On the other side of the bracket, significantly less excitement as Wolfsburg has stomped their counterparts to the south, taking the first three games of the series by a combined score of 12-3. It seems that Wolfsburg will be on the opposite end of the semi-final sweep than last year, when the eventual champions Adler Mannheim swept EHC Wolfsburg.

Playoff tree:

Important games of next week:

Game 4 in Nuremberg will take place at 19:30 CEST where Wolfsburg attempts to complete the sweep.

Game 4 in Cologne will take place on Wednesday as the Haie try to tie up the series

Game 5 in Munich will take place on Friday (and if necessary in Wolfsburg)

Game 6 if necessary in Cologne and Nuremburg will be on Sunday.

LIIGA (Finland) WEEKLY ROUNDUP contribution by (/u/HelloHelloMrFighter)

The week on Liiga started on Monday with the 6th matches of the quarter-finals. HIFK, JYP and Kärpät had the chance to win their series. Pelicans was holding HIFK and defending well, and were so close to the overtime, but Jasse Ikonen said no and scored with only 12 seconds on the clock, and HIFK marched to the semi-finals with 1-2 win.

JYP controlled the game in Lappeenranta and made the important goals. JYP won 3-1 and SaiPa’s season was over.
TPS started strong, and were already leading Kärpät 2-0, but Kärpät tied on the third period and won with Sakari Manninen’s very lucky goal, only 16 seconds in the overtime. TPS had good fight, but it wasn’t enough.
As all three remaining quarter-finals were finished on Monday, no games were played on Tuesday.

Semi-finals:

HIFK – JYP
Very tight battle was predicted as the regular season champions, HIFK, faced one of the most successful teams of recent years, JYP. The series started in Helsinki on Friday. JYP started really well and led 2-0 already in the first period, but HIFK got the grip and won 4-2. JYP had the time for revenge already on Saturday, as the teams faced in Jyväskylä. And JYP, they surely used the chance, and were much better than HIFK, winning 5-2.

Series tied 1-1

Kärpät – Tappara
These two teams had faced in the finals two last years, with Kärpät winning both times in game 7 on overtime. Tappara surely wanted revenge. This matchup also was noted in media as the meeting of the three Finnish superjuniors, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujärvi and Sebastian Aho. Tappara started strongly by stealing the victory on Friday, winning 1-3. They continued the strong showing on Saturday, this time winning 4-1.

Tappara leads 2-0

Current Playoff Bracket:

Games next week:

All weekday games start 18.30 EEST

Monday:
HIFK – JYP

Tuesday:
Kärpät – Tappara

Wednesday:
JYP – HIFK

Thursday:
Tappara – Kärpät

Friday:
HIFK – JYP

All weekend games start 17.00 EEST

Saturday:
Kärpät – Tappara (if needed)

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE WEEKLY ROUNDUP  contribution by (/u/82hky82), known in the real world as Michael Wood

The first round the of Western Hockey League playoffs has all but wrapped up, minus two series that are going down to the wire. Starting with the teams that displayed domination, the two Western Washington based teams both swept their opponents in relative easy fashion. Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds continues to stand out as a dominating playmaker and the Everett Silvertips used solid depth and defense to make it to the second round. The two rivals will meet in the second round. Staying out west, the # 1 Victoria Royals had minor troubles with the unassuming Spokane Chiefs, but ended up taking the series in 6 games. The Series to watch now in the West is a game 7 Monday tilt between the Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers. This has been the epitome of a back and forth series and you have to think the winning team will be tired going into a second round matchup with Victoria.

In the East, Edmonton’s Cinderella run has seemingly come to a grinding halt with Brandon taking three straight. Game six is on Tuesday and it’s expected the Brandon will close out the series. Two teams that showed pure offensive domination in round one were the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Regina Pats, both winning in 5 over the Prince Albert Raiders and Lethbridge Hurricanes. Adam Brooks of the Pats and Dryden Hunt of the Warriors have carried their banner seasons into the playoffs as both rank in the top 3 in points so far in the playoffs. The team that has flown under the radar the most this playoff season may be the Red Deer Rebels. Taking out a gritty Calgary Hitmen in 5 with impressive scores make them a team to be feared in the second round as they take on Regina. Moose Jaw awaits in all likely hood Brandon.

So far these playoffs have been stellar and more is expected in the second round as the matchups get better and better. Until next week.

Playoff tree: