Ultimate Drivers Weekend Preview: The Final Countdown
Facing the Frontrunners
The Brampton Steelheads (33-22-10-0) have an early start to the week when they travel to Brantford on Wednesday for a matchup with the Eastern Conference-leading Bulldogs (42-18-5-0). The clubs enter the weekend in vastly different positions, with the Steelheads being all but locked into their standing, while the Bulldogs are looking to lock up the top seed. With the playoffs looming, it will be a good test for both clubs to face a top postseason opponent. So far, the season series has trended in Brantford’s favour, but the near-healthy Steelheads will look to finish on a high note.
It has been a while since the last meeting between the Bulldogs and Steelheads, with the five prior matchups coming in December or earlier. Additionally, the last two games occurred during the World Juniors. Because of this, neither side has been able to test each other at full strength. During the early matchups, Brantford was without Marek Vanacker, and deadline addition Thomas Budnick. In the latter two, the Steelheads were without a plethora of players including leading scorers Porter Martone and Carson Rehkopf. With the majority returning to the lineup, Wednesday will provide both teams with a more accurate assessment of their opponents. With two of the top-five offences, on top of stable d-cores and top goalies, it will surely be an exciting contest.
Two points will not be the only thing up for grabs on Wednesday, as a trio of former teammates will be battling for bragging rights. Lucas Karmiris, Gabe Chiarot, and Marek Vanacker were all members of the Brantford 99ers U16 AAA club in their OHL draft year. The trio led the 99ers to an OHL cup berth, before beginning to pave their own paths with the Steelheads and Bulldogs. With Vanacker being selected by the Blackhawks in the last NHL draft, Karmiris and Chiarot will also look to hear their names called this June. If the duo of Steelheads can keep up their breakout campaigns, they will have a good chance of joining their former teammate as an NHL draft pick.
You can watch all Steelheads away games by purchasing CHL TV, accessible on the CHL mobile app, in addition to Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire, and online at watch.chl.ca.
Wrangling the Weekend
The Steelheads return home on Friday to host the Peterborough Petes (18-38-4-5). It will be the fourth and final matchup between clubs. So far, the Steelheads lead the season series with wins in two of three prior meetings. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Petes will look for a late season push to pass the Guelph Storm to escape the bottom spot in the OHL. With their young core and stable veterans the pesky Petes can not be taken lightly.
To celebrate the final Friday home game of the regular season, the Steelheads will be hosting Country Night! Friday’s game will feature live music from emerging artist Jessica Sole, while also taking time to celebrate the billet families that make the OHL possible. It will be a celebration that you will not want to miss, so grab your tickets here!
With the season coming to an end, and Peterborough not qualifying for the playoffs, it will be an emotional game for the road club. For overagers Gavin Bryant, Jonathan Melee, and Brady Stonehouse, as well as only having three spots next year for five veteran players, it will be the last weekend to take in the OHL experience. The trio of OAs have brought consistency, hard work, and determination during their time in the OHL, with all three taking leadership roles at some point in their tenure. Gavin Bryant served as captain of the IceDogs last season, Brady Stonehouse wore an “A” in Ottawa, while Jonathan Melee was appointed the captaincy of the Petes this season. Look out for the veteran trio to make an impact in their last hoorah this weekend.
Despite a long run of playoff berths, the Steelheads have still managed to find great young talent. The newest member of this list has been rookie forward Aidan Lane. A fourth-round selection in 2023, Lane went on to lead St. Andrew’s College’s U18 squad this season, serving as their captain, while filling in for the Trout when he was needed. With his college season now over, the Mississauga native has rejoined the club on a full-time basis where he has burst onto the scene. In just four games back with the Trout, Lane has climbed the depth chart to the second line alongside OHL mainstays Carson Rehkopf and Lucas Karmiris. Lane has not only kept pace with the duo but elevated the line all together earning Rookie of the Week honours in the process. If his line can stay hot the already deep Steelheads will have even more firepower heading into the playoffs.
Ending in Style
The Steelheads close out the regular season on Sunday when they host the Kingston Frontenacs (39-18-5-3). Much like with the Petes, it will be the fourth and final matchup of the season series. This time it is the road team who leads the series with two wins, but the Steelheads will look to even things up in their final game of the season. To celebrate their exciting inaugural season in Brampton, the Steelheads will be hosting their fan appreciation game presented by Assured Automotive. There will be t-shirt giveaways, and make sure to stay after the game for a chance to meet your favourite Steelheads at the post-game autograph signing. The Family Four pack is available for the game, so make sure you secure your tickets here!
There is no better way to finish a regular season than a heavyweight matchup between playoff contenders, and Sunday will be exactly that. Though it will be the last day on the schedule, there still may be playoff implications. The Frontenacs enter the week two points up on their East Division rival Oshawa Generals. With games on Friday and Sunday against the Bulldogs and Steelheads, there is a real chance that the Gens can surpass the Fronts for the three seed. With Brampton currently owning the fifth seed, there is a chance that Sunday’s matchup will decide whether the Trout will face Oshawa, or have a rematch with Kingston in the first round.
This season’s victory against the Frontenacs may have been the Steelheads’ best performance this season. Brampton dominated Kingston with a commanding 6-0 victory, as all aspects of the team were on full display. The top-end talent came to play with captain Porter Martone leading the charge with two goals and two assists. Behind Martone, the Steelheads’ depth chipped in with goals from Mason Zebeski and Kieran Witkowski. Additionally, the defence helped limit Kingston’s opportunities, allowing Jack Ivankovic to record a twenty-eight save shutout. The combined efforts resulted in the resounding defeat of a top Eastern Conference opponent. If the Steelheads can play to the level they did in their last matchup, they will have a good shot to go far this postseason.
