We are fast approaching the Champion’s Cup Final. The match-up for the title was decided over a week ago when Rochester and Arizona defeated their opponents in the divisional finals. Rochester, with a league best 14-2 record in the regular season, earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs, however, due to a scheduling conflict at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, the league has decided to have the game played in Arizona instead of rescheduling the game or having a neutral site host the game.
Bringing a 16-2 season record into the game (including the two playoff games played), Rochester is the favourite to win, even with the change of venue. They bring an all-time second best 14 game winning streak into the game as well as being the top scoring team in the regular season. They had the league leader in points this year in John Grant Jr. with 111 points, and two others in the top ten. In head to head competition, Rochester won their only meeting this season but lost in their lone visit to Arizona 14-4 back in 2004.
Arizona counters the league best offence with the league’s second best goaltender in goals against average as well as a defence that allowed the third fewest goals in 2007. Moving the game to Arizona works to Arizona’s benefit as they only have one win in Rochester in three visits. As well, Arizona has a 67.7% win percentage (23-11 record) in Arizona all-time as opposed to a 40.5% win percentage (15-22 record) away from the confines of the Jobing.com arena. Leading Arizona offensively is the second best point getter this year in Dan Dawson with 107 points.
Both teams are full of talented players and could win this game. Arizona will be trying to capture their first championship after losing in Toronto in 2005 while Rochester will be going for their second championship. Rochester should win this game but they will have to want it more and they should after having the game moved from Rochester to Arizona. Rochester has also appeared in the playoffs all thirteen years of their existence in the league but only have one championship to show for it. If Rochester keeps those two facts in mind and play to their potential then they will win; if they take Arizona lightly, Arizona can easily steal the win.
Bringing a 16-2 season record into the game (including the two playoff games played), Rochester is the favourite to win, even with the change of venue. They bring an all-time second best 14 game winning streak into the game as well as being the top scoring team in the regular season. They had the league leader in points this year in John Grant Jr. with 111 points, and two others in the top ten. In head to head competition, Rochester won their only meeting this season but lost in their lone visit to Arizona 14-4 back in 2004.
Arizona counters the league best offence with the league’s second best goaltender in goals against average as well as a defence that allowed the third fewest goals in 2007. Moving the game to Arizona works to Arizona’s benefit as they only have one win in Rochester in three visits. As well, Arizona has a 67.7% win percentage (23-11 record) in Arizona all-time as opposed to a 40.5% win percentage (15-22 record) away from the confines of the Jobing.com arena. Leading Arizona offensively is the second best point getter this year in Dan Dawson with 107 points.
Both teams are full of talented players and could win this game. Arizona will be trying to capture their first championship after losing in Toronto in 2005 while Rochester will be going for their second championship. Rochester should win this game but they will have to want it more and they should after having the game moved from Rochester to Arizona. Rochester has also appeared in the playoffs all thirteen years of their existence in the league but only have one championship to show for it. If Rochester keeps those two facts in mind and play to their potential then they will win; if they take Arizona lightly, Arizona can easily steal the win.
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