The most wonderful time of the year is upon us — hockey playoff season. All eyes are fixed on the race to the NHL’s playoffs, but the Ontario Hockey League’s postseason is already set to go, with games starting Thursday night. LWOH’s OHL playoff preview is here to get you ready for the road to the 2017 Memorial Cup.
2017 OHL Playoff Preview: London-Windsor clash to turn heads in the West
Eastern Conference
The East was a little weak this season, with even the top teams like Oshawa selling at the trade deadline. Top seed Peterborough would’ve finished sixth in the West with their 89 points. That said, with so many heavyweight smackdowns on the opposite side of the bracket, whoever finds themselves winning the Eastern Conference could see a very beaten up opponent in the final.
(1) Peterborough Petes (42–21–5) vs. (8) Niagara IceDogs (23–35–10)
Season series: 3-1 Petes
The IceDogs saw a huge drop in talent this year after their OHL Final appearance in 2016, with most of their stars moving on to bigger and better things. They have players who can score, like Johnny Corneil and Ryan Mantha, but it’ll be tough to compete with a Peterborough team that’s been hot lately. Deadline additions Nikita Korostelev and Christopher Paquette made instant impacts to help them win the East.
Petes in 5.
(2) Mississauga Steelheads (34–21–13) vs. (7) Ottawa 67’s (26–34–8)
Season series: 2-2
Mississauga is arguably the best team in the East, with a lot of young talent up front. 2017-draft eligibles Owen Tippett and Nicolas Hague can cause a lot of problems for Ottawa, combined with a healthy amount of OHL experience in Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian, and Spencer Watson. The 67’s struggled defensively this year, allowing 271 goals, and Leo Lazarev posting a .888 save percentage. Ottawa will likely struggle here, against potentially the only contender in the East.
Steelheads in 5.
(3) Oshawa Generals (40–23–5) vs. (6) Sudbury Wolves (27–34–7)
Season series: 2-2
Oshawa sold off Anthony Cirelli and Mitchell Vande Sompel at the trade deadline and still managed to finish third. Goals were a little tough to come by down the stretch, but special teams and goaltending have helped out. Jeremy Brodeur is one of the league’s best in net, with a .916 save percentage. Sudbury has some young firepower, though, with 2018-eligible David Levin and Russian centre Dmitry Sokolov, who finished second in the OHL with 48 goals this season.
Generals in 6.
(4) Kingston Frontenacs (33–26–9) vs. (5) Hamilton Bulldogs (33–27–8)
Season series: 3-3
Special teams could be a huge factor in this series, as Kingston boasts the fifth-best power-play in the league (22.1%), while Hamilton is tied for the second-worst penalty kill (77.7%). Fronts winger Jason Robertson has 81 points this year, including 32 on the man advantage. Hamilton are an enigmatic team this year though, with a talented first line featuring Matthew Strome and Will Bitten. This will easily be the most closely-contested series in the East, and the lower-seeded Bulldogs could have an edge.
Bulldogs in 7.
Western Conference
(1) Erie Otters (50–15–3) vs. (8) Sarnia Sting (31–30–7)
Season series: 3-1 Otters
The most potent team in the OHL with 319 goals, Erie would have been a terrifying first-round opponent even without their deadline additions of Anthony Cirelli and Warren Foegele. Their deep forward lineup features three-time 50 goal-scorer Alex DeBrincat, highly-touted NHL prospect Dylan Strome, and the Raddysh brothers, Taylor and Darren. The Sting are probably one of the strongest eighth seeds in years, though, with firepower up front in Jordan Kyrou. Their 257 goals is more than anybody in the East, but they’ve struggled with keeping the puck out.
Otters in 6.
(2) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (48–16–4) vs. (7) Flint Firebirds (32–28–8)
Season series: 3-3
Flint made the playoffs for the first time since relocating to Michigan this year, which is nothing to sniff at in a loaded conference. After a tough season last year, they rebounded in 2016–17 with three players over 30 goals. The Greyhounds came almost out of nowhere as a contender, though, leading the OHL for much of the season. Their scoring is well-distributed among a core of Bobby MacIntyre, Zachary Senyshyn, and Boris Katchouk. Rookie goalie Matthew Villalta seems to have won the starting job over veteran Joseph Raaymakers with his play. The Hounds have been a consistent force this season, and should be poised to make a run.
Greyhounds in 5.
(3) Owen Sound Attack (49–15–7) vs. (6) Kitchener Rangers (36–27–5)
Season series: 7-1 Attack
Owen Sound are plucky, and maybe the most underrated team in the OHL. They’re a tough team that’s suited for playoff hockey, with goalie Michael McNiven capable of stealing any game. Their penalty kill is the best in the league, and players like Nick Suzuki and Petrus Palmu score enough to get the win. Kitchener is another team who missed their window last year, and sent Jeremy Bracco to Windsor at the deadline. That said, Adam Mascherin remains one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the entire league, and could make it hard on the Attack. Owen Sound has dominated the Rangers this year, though.
Attack in 6.
(4) London Knights (46–15–7) vs. (5) Windsor Spitfires (41–19–8)
Season series: 3-3
It’s a shame this matchup has to happen so early in the playoffs, because it’s one that we could see at the Memorial Cup in Windsor this year. Despite both teams slipping down the standings a little, these are two bona fide contenders in the OHL. Windsor loaded up in the off-season as the 2017 Mem Cup hosts, and their tough lineup features a strong defence of Mikhail Sergachev, and the enigmatic Sean Day. Up front, they added one of the OHL’s best scoring threats in Jeremy Bracco at the trade deadline. London also made a huge splash at the deadline, though, adding forwards Mitchell Stephens and Dante Salituro, and defender Mitchell Vande Sompel to shore up their play in both ends of the ice. London also boasts dynamic centre Cliff Pu to score for them, and elite goaltender Tyler Parsons. It’s a shame that the Spitfires will be without both Logan Stanley and Logan Brown due to injury, as that will take away a little offence and make them a little more vulnerable on the back end. This is easily the most exciting series of the first round, and could definitely go the distance.
Knights in 7.
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