Playoff Preview - Part 1

The 2020 KEITH MILLER CUP finals get underway after the season wrapped up last week. The standings reflect another competitive season amongst the teams in the league, where the top five teams were separated by just six points.

BROOKFIELD ELKS (1) vs. CALDWELL ROACH JR. KINGS - Season Series: 2-0 Brookfield
The league's two expansion teams had very different inaugural seasons.

Brookfield, led by Pat Stewart, who many were surprised was left exposed in the league's expansion draft, who tallied an impressive 13 goals, 29 assists for a total of 42 points on the season. Forwards Jimmy Scullion (18-12, 30 points) and Jay Duffy (12-13, 25 points) led the way offensively for the forwards, while Spencer Scott put up remarkable numbers in goal, authoring a 2.06 Goals Against Average, and a pair of shutouts.

Caldwell experienced growing pains in its first season, marked by a series of disappointing results throughout the season. That being said, Caldwell has demonstrated an ability to ice a competitive squad, and will hope to put its dismal season behind it and play giant killers in the first round series. Caldwell was led offensively by Devon Pennell (4-5, 9 points) and Ryan Jeffries (2-5, 7 points), while Tyler Williams backstopped the team in net. Facing a heavy barrage of shots, Williams put together a 1-17 record with a 6.89 GAA.

SACKVEGAS vs. NOVACORP PROPERTIES (Season Series: 3-0 Sackvegas)

Sackvegas has been in the top tier of the league for the majority of the season, and rode a strong finish to a second place finish in the regular season. Sackvegas will rely on its high-flying offence led by Brett Arthur (12-21, 33 points), Andrew Skinner (12-20, 32 points), Justin Mabe (12-18, 30 points) and Zach Thomas (17-10, 27 points) to continue its success into the postseason. On the back end, Adam Brown contributed 6-15, 21 points while goaltender Alex Reynolds turned in another solid season, with a 12-4 record backed by a GAA of 3.06.

Novacorp has had another trying season, but has shown flashes of competitiveness at various points of the season. Goaltender Dave White will be called upon and have to come up with a performance for the ages to give Novacorp a chance to stymy the Sackvegas offence. Ryan MacGregor (5-13, 18 points) and defencemen Jamie Sweet (1-14, 15 points) will need to continue to capitalize on the opportunities when presented by Sackvegas.