On the OHL playoff beat
Brantford Bulldogs, Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires are all up three games to none in their respective second round Ontario Hockey League playoff sets.
Bulldogs are top dogs. Brantford, as the no. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference being up 3-0 on no. 5 seed North Bay Battalion is not much of a surprise. The Bulldogs, with a multitude of National Hockey League draft picks on their roster — and more to come in 2026 — just may be the most talented team in the entire OHL.
Sounds of the Hounds in a hole. To some, Kitchener as the no. 1 seed in the Western Conference being up 3-0 on no. 5 seed Sault Ste. Marie is not much of a shock. But it says here that the Greyhounds are a much better team than the one that finished in the fifth slot especially with a trade deadline acquisition such as Team Canada goalie Carter George and the presence of world class talent such as defenseman Chase Reid and forward Brady Martin, not to mention overage forward star Marco Mignosa. The Hounds have played the Rangers rather even thus far in the series but the fact is that the Soo is down three games to none and cannot lose again, regardless of whether or not they feel they deserve better so far.
Spitfires know the drill. Meanwhile, it is a definite surprise that Windsor, as the no. 2 seed in the Western Conference, has a 3-0 lead on no. 3 seed Flint, especially considering that the Firebirds won as many games as the Spitfires did during the regular season. Don’t think, however, that Windsor feels as though this series is all but over. It was in the second round of the 2025 playoffs that the Spitfires had a 3-0 series lead on Kitchener only to have the Rangers come back to win the next four. It should be noted, however, that Windsor was an injury-riddled team during that playoff series and was utilizing a number of rookie call-ups. At any rate, don’t expect Flint to go quietly in Game 4 — and don’t expect Windsor to let up.
