Predictions? Prognostications? Wild stabs in the dark?

Here's my take on the Best-of-5 first round, for what it's worth. And it probably ain't worth much...

Turner - #1 Rush vs #8 Gems
Rapid City won the only 2 regular-season meetings between the teams. Dayton is still without Jeff Jakaitis. Need I say more? Rush in 3. Yeah, I'm calling for the sweep.

Turner - #2 Eagles vs #7 Mallards
Quad City won the season series 2-1-0, but all 3 games were in Moline. I'm guessing the Mallards won't fare quite as well in Colorado. Still, this should be a good series, in large part due to the Mallards' goaltending prowess. Hot goalies have a way of stealing wins in the playoffs. I'm going to say Eagles in 5, but I won't be shocked at all if the Mallards pull off the upset and move on.

Turner - #3 PrairieThunder vs #6 Komets
Bloomington owned the 10-game regular-season series to the tune of a 7-2-1 record against Fort Wayne. But for some reason, my brain just tells me to pick the Komets here. That team is loaded with veterans who've been here before, and they'd be higher than #6 if they hadn't taken the first 2 months of the season off. Meanwhile, Bloomington is in the playoffs for the first time and may fall into the "just happy to be here" mentality. I'll go Komets in 5.

Turner - #4 Mavericks vs #5 Thunder
Two conference "rivals" that we don't know very well. Wichita won the season series 7-4-0, but Missouri has CHL Goalie of the Year Robby Nolan in net. When in doubt, go with the better goalie. Mavs in 5.

Berry - #1 Americans vs #8 Killer Bees
Allen won the season series 4-2-0, and was clearly the better team over the course of the season. With apologies to Bo Cheesman, this will be a quick exit for RGV. I'll say Americans in 3.

Berry - #2 Mudbugs vs #7 Sundogs
Let's hope they don't get a hard frost in Louisiana, or it may screw up the whole schedule. These teams didn't play during the regular season, so I'll just go with the team that was better all year. Mudbugs in 4.

Berry - #3 Oilers vs #6 RiverKings
Tulsa took the season series 6-1-1 and has home-ice advantage. I don't see why they can't keep it going and eliminate the Turtles. Any team that cuts Jeff Christian via text message should have bad karma anyway. Oilers in 4.

Berry - #4 Brahmas vs #5 Jackalopes
Texas won the season series 6-3-0, and Odessa is leaving the CHL for the NAHL next season. May as well get a head start on preparations. Brahmas in 4.

...so that's my take. Just don't go to Vegas and put any money down using these...