Playoff Series Preview: Yotes vs Royals

The Rocky Mountain South Division Semifinals begin on March 7, with the top-seeded Arizona Yotes facing off against the fourth-seeded Aurora Royals in a best-of-three series. The winner will move on to the Division Final on March 9, where they will face the winner of Front Range Thunder vs. Arvada Fire.

Arizona dominated the division throughout the regular season, finishing at the top of the standings with a high-powered offense and strong goaltending. On the other hand, the Aurora Royals barely made the playoffs and will need a near-perfect performance to pull off an upset.

Regular Season Head-to-Head

Arizona and Aurora did not meet frequently in the regular season, but the Yotes enter this series as heavy favorites based on overall performance and statistical advantages.

• Arizona Yotes: 1st in Rocky Mountain South (Best Record in Division)
• Aurora Royals: 4th in Rocky Mountain South (Barely made the playoffs)

The Yotes’ deep offensive lineup and solid goaltending make them the clear frontrunner, but the Royals will look to play spoiler and shock the division.

Arizona Yotes (1st Seed) – The Heavy Favorite

Arizona dominated the Rocky Mountain South Division, finishing first with an explosive offensive attack and strong goaltending duo. The Yotes were one of the top-scoring teams in the league, making them a tough matchup for any opponent.

Key Players

• Aydin Schwetz (#8, P) – One of the top scorers in the league, Schwetz led the Yotes with 50 points (31G, 19A) in just 20 games, averaging a staggering 2.5 points per game. He will be the biggest offensive weapon in this series.
• Jeremy VanBuskirk (#88, P) – A playmaking specialist, VanBuskirk racked up 32 points (11G, 21A), proving to be one of the best facilitators in the division.
• Brydon Frisk (#27, P) – Another high-impact forward, Frisk had 30 points (9G, 21A) and is a strong secondary scoring option for Arizona.

Goaltending Edge

Arizona has a clear advantage in net, with two strong and reliable goaltenders.

• Eric Hernandez (#1, G) – 12-1 record, 3.06 GAA, .817 SV%, 2 shutouts
• OHara Shipe (#31, G) – 5-2 record, 3.47 GAA, .815 SV%

Hernandez has been one of the best goalies in the division, making the Yotes even more dangerous.

With elite offense, solid depth, and strong goaltending, Arizona is the clear favorite to move on to the next round.

Aurora Royals (4th Seed) – The Underdog Looking for an Upset

The Royals barely secured the final playoff spot and enter this series as massive underdogs. However, they have a few key playmakers who could make things interesting if they get the right opportunities.

Key Players

• Anthony Deering (#11, F) – The team’s leading scorer, Deering put up 19 points (11G, 8A) in 16 games, and will need to have a monster series for Aurora to compete.
• Will Deering (#4, F) – A goal-scoring threat, Deering finished with 17 points (14G, 3A) and will be counted on to provide offensive production against Arizona’s tough defense.
• Gabe Dorra (#20, D) – A two-way defenseman, Dorra had 11 points (7G, 4A) and will play a crucial role in trying to slow down Arizona’s attack.

Major Goaltending Concerns

Aurora has struggled in net all season, and their goaltending situation is a major red flag heading into this series.

• Eli Smith (#43, G) – 1-9 record, 6.08 GAA, .705 SV%

Smith has been one of the lowest-ranked goalies in the league, and he will have to play at an elite level if Aurora has any chance to pull off an upset.

Series Breakdown & X-Factors

Keys to Victory – Arizona Yotes

✅ Exploit Aurora’s Weak Goaltending – The Royals have struggled in net all season, and the Yotes have the offensive firepower to take advantage. Expect Arizona to apply heavy offensive pressure early.

✅ Stay Focused – It’s easy to overlook a lower-seeded opponent, but Arizona must play their game and not get complacent.

✅ Control the Pace – The Yotes play best in high-tempo, high-scoring games. If they can force Aurora into a run-and-gun style of play, they will dominate.

Keys to Victory – Aurora Royals

⚡ Goaltending Must Be Better – Eli Smith must play the best hockey of his career. If he can’t make big saves, this series will be over quickly.

⚡ Keep it Low-Scoring – The Royals cannot match Arizona in a shootout. They must slow the game down, play tight defense, and look for counter-attack opportunities.

⚡ Anthony & Will Deering Need to Carry the Load – Aurora’s best chance at offensive success will come from their top two scorers. If they can generate some early goals, they might be able to steal a game and force Arizona into a tough spot.