Predictions

Sean Gallagher:The Spartans may be the #1 seed and the Cougars are #8, but these two teams were very even all year. Given the intensity of the playoffs and all the pressure being on the top seed in the World Conference, expect the Cougars to play loose, take advantage of St. Louis' percolating goaltending controversy and pull off the stunner of the first round.

Cougars in 7

Norm Donovan: Spartans in 5

Kasim Husain: Stockholm draws a St. Louis team that made a late push to unseat Brandon for the shiniest piece of regular season hardware, so it'd be easy to call this a romp for the Spartans. But a team sporting Kesler, Vermette, and Carter will give the Spartans' weak link - defence - all they can handle, making this a closer series than it might otherwise be.

Cougars in 6

Guy Flaming: Spartans netminding will get them past at least the first round... won't it?

Spartans in 7

Dustin Nielson: 23 point difference is too much to overcome for the Cougars

Spartans in 5

Kenny Leibe: Spartans continue on their streak and the Cougars just won't be able to withstand it. Cougars skill gets them one game, but the Spartans win being lead by Malkin and Horton.

Spartans in 5

Pat Booth: quite the team solid all the way through, tough to see the cougars squeaking out even one against this powerhouse

Spartans in 4

Gary Graves: Spartans in 4

Bryce Crittenden: Spartans in 4

Henry Skey: Spartans in 6

Eric Schneider: The Spartans poured it on in the latter half of the season and look like the team to beat coming into the post-season. The Cougars sure are plucky though, and I suspect St. Louis' defence isn't as good as their league-fewest 217GA would suggest

Spartans in 6

Kirk MacRae: Spartans in 5

Corey Graham: An 85 point team in the playoffs!! Quebec should leave Canada, then I would get some playoff gates.

Spartans in 4

Don Morrison: Spartans in 5

Mark MacRae: What are the Cougars even doing in the playoffs? This is the Spartans-Cardinals year and it starts here. They won't even break a sweat.

Spartan in 4

Mike Franceschini: Her mom is like one of eleven?

Spartans in 4