Western Conference

(3) Waterloo at (6) Tri-City

Why Waterloo will win: The Black Hawks have looked as good as any team this season, their third place finish does not indicate how tough they are to play. Fast, physical, and able to score goals in bunches, Waterloo is built for the playoffs.

Why Tri-City will win: While it has been an up and down season in central Nebraska, the Storm often play to the level of the opponent. They’ve fared well against top teams such as Lincoln, Madison, and Dubuque.

The X factor: Tri-City’s team is built on speed, which could actually be an advantage on the European sized ice surface (200 x 100) at Young Arena. Yet Waterloo tends to get some of the larger and more passionate playoff crowds, so those two factors could neutralize.

Prediction: Waterloo in three hard fought games.

(4) Sioux City vs (5) Fargo

Why Sioux City will win: The Muskies were 7-0-1 in the regular season against Fargo, that 13 point head to head gap is the reason Sioux City earned home ice on this series. The Muskies have been hot and cold, with several prolonged stretches where they looked unbeatable, and stretches where nothing seemed to go right.

But the Muskies have an intangible - doing the little things like winning puck battles, out-thinking the opponent, paying the price to make a parlay, and also have the league’s best penalty kill. Make no mistake, they are a serious contender to win it all.

Why Fargo will win: If they can find their early season form, they can be tough. However, a lot of changes have been made, as the Force are looking to the future.

They are the defending champs, and that always adds a dimension of difficulty.

Prediction: Sioux City in two.

Eastern Conference

(3) Madison vs (6) Green Bay

Why Madison will win: They are dynamic when it comes to goal scoring, they will match the physical play of anyone, and they can come at you in waves. They also have the league’s best home record at 23-5-2-1.

Why Green Bay will win: They have a 4-5-0-0 record against the Capitols this season, and they have played at well on the road as at home. While they struggle at times to score goals, the Gamblers are one of the more physical teams in the league, a factor that favors playoff-style hockey.

Prediction: Madison in three.

(4) Muskegon vs 5 (Cedar Rapids)

Why Muskegon will win: Despite finishing fourth, the Lumberjacks finished just two points behind first place Youngstown in an insanely entertaining race between the East’s top four teams. Muskegon is a team without weaknesses. They don’t jump off the page in any one category, they just do everything well and are efficient.

Why Cedar Rapids will win: The Rough Riders finished the season playing some of their best hockey of the year and moved up to fifth place on the process. They’re solid defensively, which makes up for an average offensive output. Do not expect a lot to go on the stats page when Cedar Rapids plays - they are below the league average in goals for, goals against, and penalty minutes.

Prediction: Muskegon in two.