The Valencia Flyers started the playoffs right where the left off at the end of the regular season, winning a series, as they swept the Ontario Avalanche in the Western Division Semifinal.

The Flyers won every season series they played in this season, adding a playoff series to their resume as they advance to the Western Division Finals of the WSHL Thorne Cup Playoffs for the second year in a row.

Valencia played a grind it out style against  a tough Ontario team as the teams combined for just 8 goals in the two game series, by far the lowest scoring semifinal series around the WSHL.

Throughout the weekend both teams defensive structure and solid goaltending from Lynus Ryttar and Filip Subrt kept the opposing offenses stymied.

Thursday night Valencia came away with a tight 2-1 victory when Vitali Mikhalov scored early in the third on a major power play after the Flyers had failed to connect on their previous four chances.

Saturday the Flyers got a pick me up on offense, scoring three times in a matter of 6 minutes to jump out to a lead, providing Lynus Ryttar with all the support he would need as he stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced to complete the sweep for Valencia.

Up next for the Flyers is a difficult test against the second place team from the Western Division, long time rival Long Beach.

The Flyers won all six matchup’s against the Bombers this season, and have won nine of the last 12 dating back to last season. However, this will be the first time the two teams have met in the playoffs with a spot in the Pacific Conference finals on the line.

Valencia holds a decided edge in goaltending and defense as Lynus Ryttar and Garrett Kingsbury combined for the second lowest goals against (94) in the WSHL while the team had the third highest goal differential in the league (+163).

Long Beach poses a unique threat though as they have a quick strike style offense, having scored five or more goals in a game 23 times this season, including both of their playoff games last week against Fresno.

The teams will take to the ice Thursday, March 24 and Friday March, 25 for games one and two at Ice Station Valencia, staring at 7:15PM, followed by a game three if necessary on Saturday, March 26 at 7:30PM.

If you cannot make it to the games, you can catch both games one and two of the series on SCVTV.com on demand any time starting Monday, March 28.