Hockey playoffs start in Whitefish

In its inaugural season, the Whitefish Wolverines have brought the Western States Hockey League playoffs to the Stumptown Ice Den.

Despite finishing the season on a six-game losing streak, the Wolverines (17-28-1) held onto fourth place in the Northwest Division, edging the Butte Cobras (15-28-3) in the final standings by just two points.

The Wolverines were rewarded with home ice for the opening round of the postseason, but they’ll have to play host to the same Butte team they fended off in the standings.

The puck will drop tonight at 6:35 for Game 1 of the three-game series.

Although Whitefish struggled down the final stretch, its success against the Cobras boasts the Wolverines’ confidence heading into the series.

In nine regular-season meetings, the Wolverines lost just two games to the Cobras, posting a goal differential of 14, scoring 37 times against Butte while allowing 23 pucks across the goalline.

The Wolverines have shut out Butte just once in their seven victories over the conference foe, but it came in their most recent meeting, a 7-0 victory in Whitefish on Jan. 24.

Aleksei Garin had a hat trick and an assist in the contest, and teammate Danny Roe added a short-handed goal. Goalie Brendan Duff not only turned away all 40 shots he faced, but also earned an assist on Bryan Polmear’s first-period goal which gave the Wolverines a 2-0 lead.

While Whitefish will look to duplicate their most recent success against the Cobras it will be no easy task. Four of Whitefish’s seven victories against Butte were by a single goal.

The Cobras also boast one of the league’s top scorers.

Anton Zinmer of Cologne, Germany, has 72 points in 45 games this season — 11th best in the regular season. He’s scored 28 goals and 44 assists during the 2014-15 campaign and has put six in the net against the Wolverines.

But Whitefish has plenty of fire power as well.

Forward Garin, of St. Petersburg, Russia, finished the regular season as the Wolverines point leader. His 48 points came from 25 goals and 23 assists.

Defenseman Roe, of Havre, tallied 35 points with 14 goals and 21 assists. He recorded six assists and six goals in the nine contests against the Cobras.

Game 2 will follow on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Whitefish.

If necessary, Game 3 will be played on Sunday at the Stumptown Ice Den at 4:05.