On Wednesday night the Coquitlam Adanacs punched their ticket to the WLA final after defeating the Victoria Shamrocks 8-7 in game 6 of their first round series. The WLA final will be between the Coquitlam Adanacs and the Langley Thunder. Langley is no stranger to the WLA final after winning the WLA championship last year and advancing to the Mann Cup. Coquitlam on the other hand has had a remarkable season after finishing last in 2011 they were able to rebuild and reach the WLA final in 2012.This final will be a battle as the unstoppable Langley offense meets the immovable Coquitlam defense.
Langley made short work out of Burnaby in the first round of the playoffs by sweeping them in four games due to Langley’s offense overwhelming Burnaby. Langley has relied on their deep offense all season long and this series will be no different. Langley will look to play a fast paced game in order to generate lots of shots on Nick Rose in hopes to beat him early and often. Lewis Ratcliff has been great this post season notching 10 goals and 11 assists and will need to spark the Langley offense. Expect Garrett Billings to use his play making skills to open up Coquitlam’s defense and create space for Lewis Ratcliff and Athan Iannucci to work. Langley needs to avoid getting trapped in a low scoring defensive battle as defense is Coquitlam’s greatest strength. Langley on defense will want to focus on Dane Dobbie as he has led Coquiltam’s offense this post season notching 29 points. If Langley can keep Dobbie in check they will be able to stop Coquitlam’s offense. Langley will want to move the ball up the floor as quickly as possible and try to keep Coquitlam’s defense flat footed. Langley will need to find a way to solve Nick Rose who has been outstanding all season if they can’t solve Rose Langley may wind up swept out of the finals. Langley needs to strike early and build their lead quickly in order to force Coquitlam to work from behind.
Coquitlam having just dealt with Victoria have proven they can beat high powered offensive teams. Coquitlam will live and die by the play of Nick Rose. Rose has been excellent this season even winning the WLA MVP. Rose will need to be on top of his game to stop Langley but he should be up to the challenge. Rose will get assistance from Coquitlam’s defense led by Bruce Muarry. Coquitlam’s defense will need to play physical and slow Langley’s offense. Coquitlam will want to force Langley to make mistakes and force turnovers. On offense Coquitlam will lean on Dane Dobbie who has led the Coquitlam offense. Dobbie and Kevin Olson will need to take advantages of turnovers and generate shots in hopes of cracking Langley’s goalie Steve Fryer who has struggled at times this season. Coquitlam if they can slow this game down and play their defensive game then they will walk away with the victory.
I predict that Coquitlam will take this series in 6 games as Coquitlam’s defense will be able to hold off Langley as they proved in their two regular season wins over Langley this season. Coquitlam’s strong defense will be more than a match for Langley so expect this game to be a slobber knocker. Game one is on Saturday in Langley at 7:45.
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