Quick Glance:

Two strong teams have made it to the Southern Conference finals and for both, the first two rounds of the playoffs were a breeze. At first glance, it looks like we can expect a low-scoring series. Both teams seemed content to play careful hockey so far in the playoffs and they both ranked better in shots allowed than they did in shots taken. Bern had a slight edge in the shots averages, taking 0.24 more shots per game and allowed 0.83 fewer shots on goal. Their goalies are excellent and close enough, quality wise, to say it’s a draw between the pipes. Bern won all 3 of the games these teams played against each other in the regular season. But those wins came in October and November, before Munich gelled into the team that went on a legendary win streak.

Goalies: (in playoffs):

• Bern – Chris Driedger, 2.50 GAA, .906 save pct.
• Munich – Alex Nedeljkovic, 2.43 GAA, .911 save pct.

Top Plus/Minus players (in playoffs):

• Bern – Anthony Cirelli and 3 others, +9
• Munich – Cale Makar, +12

Expert Panel Predictions:

• Commissioner Chuck: Bern in 6 games. Rose has been making me look bad this year in the prediction department but think how smart I’ll look when Bern brushes aside powerful Munich in the next two weeks. I love the Bears’ forward depth. I just can’t wipe away the envy when I see that Bern has Nico Hischier, Anthony Cirelli and Brett Howden centering three lines and that Dawson Mercer, Jack Quinn and Wyatt Johnston make up the “weakest” line on the team. I see the unrelenting pressure these 12 forwards can produce as the key to the series.
• Rose: Munich in 5 games. The Red Bulls are awesome. You don’t finish first in the league and near the top in most stats categories if you aren’t awesome. I’m awesome too. I predicted Paris to win the last two series they played in and my prediction power says the Bears are about to start their hibernation. The main reason for Bern’s nap time won’t be superstar Dylan Sikura; Bern coach Andrew Burnette is smart enough to wrap him up sufficiently. But there won’t be an answer for Munich’s experienced defense corps. They are good enough – and confident enough thanks to the win streak – to control the play in all three zones. And I see Munich’s Shayne Gostisbehere, aka “The Ghost,” haunting the team he played for the last two seasons.