Thursday, March 7, 2002

With the Moose Jaw victory against the visiting Prince Albert Raiders last night,7-3, the Warriors have clinched a playoff berth. The Warriors currently have a 9 point lead over Prince Albert and with the Raiders only having four games remaining, they cannot catch the Warriors.

The Moose Jaw Warriors join eleven other teams that have already clinched a playoff berth. Only four playoff berths remain up for grabs. It should be another edxciting end to the WHL regular season.

Eastern Conference

The Western Hockey League Eastern Conference playoff format will have the top four teams in each Division (East and Central) advance to the playoffs.

The Moose Jaw Warriors join the Regina Pats and the Brandon Wheat Kings in the East Division. In the Central Division, the Red Deer Rebels and the Swift Current Broncos have clinched playoff spots.

Western Conference

The Western Conference playoff format will have the top four teams in each Division (B.C. and U.S.) advance to the playoffs unless the fifth place team in the B.C. Division has more regular season points than the fourth place team in the U.S. Division. If this occurs, the fifth place team will become a wild card team and will advance to the playoffs instead of the fourth place team in the U.S. Division.

In the British Columbia (B.C.) Division, the Kamloops Blazers, Prince George Cougars, Kootenay Ice, and the Kelowna Rockets have all clinched playoffs berths. In the United States (U.S.) Division, the Spokane Chiefs, Portland Winter Hawks and Tri-City Americans are also playoff bound.

The last playoff spot in the Western Conference will be decided between the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Vancouver Giants. Currently the Thunderbirds lead the Giants by ten points with six games remaining for each team.

In both Conferences, the first round match-ups will feature best-of-seven series within each Division. The first place team will play the fourth place team, and the second place team will meet the third place team based on regular season standings.

In both Conferences, the second round match-ups will feature best-of-seven series within the Conference. The four clubs, which win their first round playoff series, will advance to the second round. The first place team will play the fourth place team, and the second place team will meet the third place team based on regular season standings.

In both Conferences, the third round match-up will feature best-of-seven series within the Conference. The two clubs, which win their second round playoff series, will meet with the home ice advantage going to the club with the most regular season points.

In the League Championship, the two Conference Champions will meet in a best-of-seven series with the home ice advantage going to the club with the most regular season points.