Just like pickin' cherries . . .

OK. It’s time to pick ’em . . . so here goes.
I also have picked up some predictions by other observers and have tacked them on the end of each series.
Those other observers are:
Cory Wolfe, a fine young writer who covers the Saskatoon Blades for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
Kevin Mitchell, the StarPhoenix sports editor who also did time at the Moose Jaw Times-Herald.
Rob Vanstone, who runs the sports department at the Regina Leader-Post and doubles as the sports columnist there.
Scott Fisher, who covers the Calgary Hitmen for the Calgary Sun.
Alan Caldwell, who blogs over at Small Thoughts At Large.
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EASTERN CONFERENCE
Calgary Hitmen (1) vs. Edmonton Oil Kings (8)
Once upon a time, the Oil Kings beat the Hitmen 4-3. But that was in the regular-season’s first week. The Hitmen went on to finish first overall with 59 victories and 122 points. The Oil Kings won a play-in game in Prince Albert just to get the right to play Calgary. The Oil Kings are young and are in only their second WHL season. They will look back at this series as a learning experience. Edmonton G Torrie Jung might steal a game, but . . .
Drinnan: Calgary in 4.
Wolfe: Calgary in 5.
Mitchell: Calgary in 4.
Vanstone: Calgary in 4.
Fisher: Calgary in 4.
Caldwell: Calgary in 4.
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Saskatoon Blades (2) vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes (7)
The Hurricanes reached the WHL’s championship final last spring where they were swept by the Spokane Chiefs, who went on to win the Memorial Cup. So did the Hurricanes overachieve last spring or have they underachieved this season? . . . Lethbridge G Juha Metsola left a game Saturday in Cranbrook on a stretcher. If he can play, he gives the Hurricanes a chance. If he can’t, it’s over early. F Kyle Beach has had 33 points in 24 games since coming over from Everett in January. But he sat out six games in suspensions. He can’t afford to go over the edge and you know the Blades will try to push him there. . . . The Blades would seem to have everything in place for a run deep into these playoffs. They tied a WHL record by winning 28 road games this season. Braden Holtby gives them big-league goaltending and Derek Hulak provides wonderful leadership. . . . And let’s not forget about Saskatoon LW Adam Chorneyko, who was with Lethbridge for its run last spring. He has been a key contributor with the Blades.
Drinnan: Saskatoon in 5.
Wolfe: Saskatoon in 6.
Mitchell: Saskatoon in 6.
Vanstone: Saskatoon in 5.
Fisher: Saskatoon in 6.
Caldwell: Saskatoon in 6.
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Brandon Wheat Kings (3) vs. Kootenay Ice (6)
The Ice has faced as much, if not more, adversity than any other team in the WHL. G Nathan Lieuwen missed a bunch of games with a concussion, came back and got run over in the first period of his first game back. Dustin Sylvester, Kootenay’s best forward, is out with an ankle injury and won’t play. . . . Conversely, Brandon just got back speedy F Scott Glennie from a broken elbow and he can be a difference-maker. The Wheat Kings have been red-hot since the Christmas break and could go deep if they can get a goaltender on a roll. Andrew Hayes is expected to be given the opportunity to do just that. . . . The Ice didn’t have anyone reach the 70-point plateau; Brandon has five with at least that many points.
Drinnan: Brandon in 5.
Wolfe: Brandon in 6.
Mitchell: Brandon in 7.
Vanstone: Brandon in 6.
Fisher: Brandon in 5.
Caldwell: Brandon in 6.
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Swift Current Broncos (4) vs. Medicine Hat Tigers (5)
Medicine Hat has struggled for the last while and is 4-6-0-0 in its last 10. Swift Current, meanwhile, is 8-2-0-0. . . . Swift Current gets and edge in goal and on defence, so has the edge in this series. But the Broncos have lost Matt Tassone, their leading sniper, and are going to have to score without him.
Drinnan: Swift Current in 5.
Wolfe: Swift Current in 5.
Mitchell: Swift Current in 6.
Vanstone: Medicine Hat in 7.
Fisher: Swift Current in 6.
Caldwell: Medicine Hat in 7, in OT.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
Vancouver Giants (1) vs. Prince George Cougars (8)
The Giants stumbled a bit near the end as they lost D Jon Blum and F Lance Bouma to injury. Blum is back and rounding back into form. Bouma, who has been out with a broken hand, will return soon. And the Giants really need his grit and sandpaper approach to the game. They’ll get by the Cougars without him.
Drinnan: Vancouver in 4.
Wolfe: Vancouver in 4.
Mitchell: Vancouver in 4.
Vanstone: Vancouver in 4.
Fisher: Vancouver in 4.
Caldwell: Vancouver in 4.
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Tri-City Americans (2) vs. Everett Silvertips (7)
The Silvertips are embroiled in the poorest season of their six-season existence. A team that prides itself on defence gave up 259 goals, and only six teams surrendered more. The Americans love to play run-and-gun and that’s not a good matchup for Everett. Tri-City G Chet Pickard hasn’t played since suffering a concussion on Feb. 28 but should return at some point in this series.
Drinnan: Tri-City in 5.
Wolfe: Tri-City in 4.
Mitchell: Tri-City in 5.
Vanstone: Tri-City in 6.
Fisher: Tri-City in 5.
Caldwell: Tri-City in 5.
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Kelowna Rockets (3) vs. Kamloops Blazers (6)
These teams met nine times this season and the Rockets won all nine games. The Blazers did get one point from a shootout loss on Dec. 27. The Rockets have won 18 of their last 21 games. The Blazers can score but give up far too many shots. Kamloops G Justin Leclerc has been solid for two months now but he isn’t a brick wall.
Drinnan: Kelowna in 4.
Wolfe: Kelowna in 5.
Mitchell: Kelowna in 5.
Vanstone: Kelowna in 7.
Fisher: Kelowna in 6.
Caldwell: Kelowna in 5.
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Spokane Chiefs (4) vs. Seattle Thunderbirds (5)
The Chiefs are the defending Memorial Cup champions but they’re hurting a bit. D Jared Cowen (knee) won’t play, while D Cody Baldwin (hand) and D Trevor Glass (shoulder) have been out since last month. As well, D Mike Reddington (ill) sat out a few games down the stretch. Still, the Chiefs have G Dustin Tokarski, who is as good as anyone in major junior, and some snipers, like LW Drayson Bowman, can score in a hurry. . . . The Thunderbirds had a confusing season. They moved into a new home early in January and never really did seem to get on a roll. They are 6-3-0-1 in their last 10. Seattle’s high-end players — D Thomas Hickey, C Jim O’Brien, F Greg Scott — have to be at their best. And they need to get F Prab Rai back from injury. Seattle G Jacob De Serres had an up-and-down — mostly down — season and hasn’t played since Feb. 7 because of a groin problem. That means Calvin Pickard, who is 7-3 in his last 10 outings, is the starter. Yes, he is Chet’s younger brother. This is Calvin’s chance to really carve out his own niche.
Drinnan: Seattle in 7.
Wolfe: Spokane in 6.
Mitchell: Seattle in 7.
Vanstone: Spokane in 6.
Fisher: Spokane in 7.
Caldwell: Spokane in 6.