Playoff Preview

The 2004 Lake City Cup Playoffs are about to begin, here is a look at the Quarter Final matchups. Starting with Series 'A': Your Fathers Moustache (8th) vs Secunda Mariners (1st). This series has David vs Goliath all over it. The Mariners swept the regular season series 3 games to 0 and outscoring the Moustache 23 to 12. An interesting stat has the top Power Play, Secunda at 36.4%, against the top Penalty Kill, Your Fathers Moustache at 86.8%. This will be the third meeting between these two clubs in the Playoffs, previously 1994 Quarter Final and 1989 Lake City Cup Final, both won by the Moustache. Keys: Since winning the Lake City Cup in 2001, the Mariners have not won a series. Secunda must not look ahead of the Moustache. They will need the line of Keifer House, Steve Widmeyer and Chris Kelly to lead the Mariners. The Moustache will need to minimize the League's highest scoring team and will need to capitalize on their scoring chances. Your Fathers Moustache will need Jamie MacVicar and Laurie Cuvilier to anchor the defence. The Moustache go into this series expected to lose and alot to prove.

Series 'B': Farview Aces (7th) vs Sandtrap Chiefs (2nd). The Sandtrap Chiefs had a rebirth this season, largely in part to new comers Craig Whynot and Trevor Doyle on defence and arguably team MVP goaltender Jason White. The Chiefs took the season series 3 games to 0 and outscored the Aces 27 to 10. This is the third time these two teams have meet in the Playoffs, most recent 2003 Quarter Final won by the Aces and 1999 Semi Final won by the Chiefs. Keys: The Chiefs will need to be led by their big line of Gord Dickie, Mark Walsh and Roddy MacCormick. Sandtrap will have to play team defence to control the outcome of this series. Fairview Aces had alot of new players this season, they will need Steve Lawlor, Matt Iceton, Pat Gray and Mark Gray to lead the way offensively. Aces goaltender Trevor Umlah will have to be on his 'A' game.

Series 'C': Big Leagues' Rangers (6th) vs Dartmouth Alpines (3rd). The Dartmouth Alpines start their defence of the Lake City Cup in a first round matchup against long time rival Big Leagues' Rangers. Last year finalists get together for the sixth time in their playoff history. The Alpines winning four of the five series; 2003 Lake City Cup Final, 2002 Final, 1998 Semi Final and 1997 Semi Final. The Rangers won the 2000 Lake City Cup. The Alpines won the season series 3 games to 1 and outscored them 18 to 11. Keys: The Alpines will have to continue to play with a balance attack from all three lines, led by Jay Washington, Glen MacDonald and Todd Parker. Dartmouth will have to keep it's composure against the agressive Rangers. The Rangers were the top Defensive team this season and will need to continue that trend. Big Leagues will need timely scoring and must stay out of the penalty box for any chance to advance.

Series 'D': Scotiabank (5th) vs T.J. Devils (4th). This series is the closest Quarter Final matchup yet. In the season series both teams won 2 games each with Scotiabank outscoring the Devils 23 to 21. These two teams have never meet before in the playoffs. Keys: The Devils are an agressive team and will need to cut down it's time in the penalty box. Look for Rhail Arsenault, Rob Ritchie, Dave Roode and Derek Joseph to lead the way on offence for the Devils. T.J.'s goaltender Jamie O'Donnell, 2002 League Most Valuable Player, will keep the Devils in any game. Scotiabank led by Danny Brewer, Allen Coyle and Troy Stevens, all finished the Regular Season with a team leading 36 points each. Goaltender Peter Douglas holds up well for Scotiabank, but the will need team defence to succeed. Scotiabank specialty teams must improve, they finished last in Power Play at 11.8% and in Penalty Kill with a 64.3%.