Spring time == hockey galore

Oh, yes, it's that time of year... playoffs are underway and the scent of Game 7s fills the air....

No, I'm not talking the NHL. Definitely not yet. In fact, I almost don't wanna look until the dust settles and I know who we're playing first.

Who else is following some of the other leagues doing interesting things right now? Who else needs stuff to do? (Yes, Connie, I'm looking at you!)

In the CHL, playoff time is in full bloom. In a lot of ways, the path to the Memorial Cup is even more gruelling than the trip to the Stanley Cup finals. We're talking a full four rounds of playoffs, plus a tournament afterwards between the three league champions, and the host (who maybe has the easiest time of it, since, well, they don't actually have to win a lot to be there).

WHL-wise, the Calgary Hitmen are playing a spirited series* (I'll ignore the last two periods of game 2, ok guys? It's really my fault I tuned in to the radio feed, to begin with) against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Better yet, most games are out of the Saddledome, tickets are cheap, and there's lots of seats to be had.

*(Yes, that's playoff-speak for "We are kicking butt")

I think what really excites me is the potential for the next round to be against Swift Current...

I'm serious! I have a good chunk of family who lived in Swift Current for the longest time, and the rivalry is intense. Trash will be talked.

In the OHL, I am told some teams have already advanced to the second round. Congrats to the Belleville Bulls. Um. I have nothing, about other teams that might have made it already.

In the QMJHL, well... most of us know what`s going on there...

What else is there? CIS Men's hockey just finished up (sigh, the rival U of A Golden Bears picked up the championship)... How's NCAA going? AHL? (I wouldn't know. Our farm team in Quad Cities this year was less than stellar, though there were some good individual performances.)

So many choices... so little time to procrastinate with...