[TBiz]

2017/2018 | Series Outlook:


Series: Western Conference Finals
When thinking back at the beginning of this season, no one could have expected two expansion teams would make it to the finals, let alone be the two teams fighting it out to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals! The Las Vegas Golden Knights and The Halton Hills Elite Bulldogs did exactly that and what a series. The first two series at home for Las Vegas went well as they took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. As the series went to Halton Hills home town, they did the exact same thing, to even up the series 2-2 and make this a best of 3 series. As we went back to Las Vegas, they managed to continue the home team advantages in this series and made it 3-2. Las Vegas now on the advantage and one game away from taking the series went back to Halton Hills in hopes of bragging rights. Those dreams were short lived as the Elite Bulldogs pulled out another home victory to make this series now a winner takes all.

Las Vegas felt the advantage being 3-0 in this series at home as they went into game seven. The end buzzer Vegas could not solve Steve Mason as the Halton Hills Bulldogs will be headed to the 2017/2018 Stanley Cup Final where they will face off against The Washington Capitals who also went 7 games against the Buffalo Sabres.


Notable Players | Series
Ilya Kovalchuk:
His playoffs went from a bumping offensive threat, to the guy you need to watch out for. His first series he was held off the scoring board and only contributed 2 Assists. The second round series seen a much better performance as he scored his first 3 goals of the playoffs this season and contributed to 2 more assists to have a stat total of 7 points in 10 games of the playoffs. His series with the Las Vegas Golden Knights seem to spark his offense even more, as he collected 6 Goals and 2 Assists in the series to bring his totals this playoffs to 9 Goals, 6 Assists for 15 points in 17 games.

Brandon Saad:
He's been pretty quiet on the score board throughout the series, but his playmaking ability has kept him on the sheet. He's on the first line with Kovalchuk, so he's been the setup man for his production on the score sheet. In the 17 games played this playoffs he's collected 2 Goals, 12 Assists for 14 Points. (1G, 7A this past series against Las Vegas). The chemistry between Kovalchuk and Saad will need to continue, as they've been more of the consistent point tailing players on the team.

James Neal:
Neal's production excelled in the first series and had slowly dropped in the second series. After facing the Las Vegas squad he must feel good as he collected 5 points in the series (2G, 3A). Currently sitting right now with 12 Points in 17 games, Neal is in the top 3 for points contributors for the Halton Hills Bulldogs.


Notable Goalie | Series
Steve Manson
What more can we say. Steve Mason has had a career changing season and the playoffs he's continued to be the backbone of this team. Despite seeing the series at one point being 2-0 and two games where it was do or die, Mason continued to give the goaltending the Elite Bulldogs needed! He had not one, but 2 shutout games (Game 6 & 7) which ultimately was the reason the Elite Bulldogs will get their first ever shot at a Stanley Cup Championship. Masons stats currently are 12 Wins, 5 Loses - Has only allowed 31 goals on 437 Shots (GAA: 1.83 and SV% .929) and has 3 Shutouts in the playoffs.

Whatever Manson is doing outside the rink and during practices will need to continue, as he's the hottest striking goalie heading into the Stanley Cup Finals!