OHL playoff matchups
Now we know who will play who in the first round of the upcoming Ontario Hockey League playoffs, which are slated to begin this week. Following is our collection of quick hits as to what to possibly expect from the matchups.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 seed Kitchener Rangers v. no. 8 seed Saginaw Spirit. This one has the makings of a four game sweep by the rousing Rangers, though the rebuilding Spirit might — or might not — steal a game.
No. 2 seed Windsor Spitfires v. no. 7 seed Guelph Storm. Playing without a number of key injured forwards down the stretch, the Spitfires still went 7-1-2 over their last 10 games while the Storm stumbled into the seventh slot by losing eight of its last 10 matches. The Spitfires have the skill, the heart and the soul to take this series in five or six games. And Greg Walters of Windsor just may be the most under-rated coach in the OHL.
No. 3 seed Flint Firebirds v. no. 6 seed Owen Sound Attack. There should be no upset by Owen Sound in this one as, simply put, Flint is better at all positions thanks to general manager Dave McParlan — and is very well coached by Paul Flache.
No. 4 seed London Knights v. no. 5 seed Soo Greyhounds. London was sellers ahead of the trade deadline while the Soo was on the buying side by bringing in ace goalie Carter George et al. No way the Greyhounds should have given up the fourth seed to the Knights. No way. But somehow the Soo did, by losing six of its last 10 regular season games. The Greyhounds, despite losing out on the fourth seed to the Knights by a single point, have way more talent and experience than London. If the Hounds lose this one, it should mark the end of the John Dean coaching show in the Soo.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 seed Brantford Bulldogs v. no. 8 seed Sudbury Wolves. Brantford is so, so, so good. Sudbury is so, so, so, wishy washy. Bulldogs should bulldoze the Wolves in four straight. Bye, bye Wolves.
No. 2 seed Barrie Colts v. no. 7 seed Niagara IceDogs. This one could be closer than many think. Or not. At any rate, we well go with Barrie in six as the Colts have the edge in all aspects of the game.
No. 3 seed Ottawa 67’s v. no. 6 seed Kingston Frontenacs. Ottawa has too much for Kingston and in a showdown between old school coaches, Dave Cameron of the 67’s gets the clear cut edge on Troy Mann of the Frontenacs.
No. 4 seed Peterborough Petes v. North Bay Battalion. If defense can win a series then we will go with the slight upset on this with North Bay winning a closely contested series over Peterborough.
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Windsor will also be playing without Belchez
correct.