OHL Playoff Preview

By Aaron Bell

The regular season is in the books and the 2006 OHL playoffs are here. The first round match-ups kick off with three games on Thursday with a full slate of games throughout the weekend.

Here is a snapshot of what to look for in each opening round series:

Western Conference

London Knights (1) vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (8)

(London won season series 4-0-0-0 with one shootout win)

After their dream season that culminated with the Memorial Cup championship win on home ice last year, many expected the Knights to suffer a set-back this year. They proved everybody wrong and picked up 100 points for a record third straight year. Offensive dynamo Rob Schremp has NHL-calibre skills and is always dangerous with the puck. Veterans Dylan Hunter and David Bolland bring enough grit to continue to get it done in the playoffs. Last year, the Greyhounds were surprised to drop their opening round series against Windsor after going up 3-0 early in the series. This year, they will use that experience to try to turn the tables on the Knights. Sophomore goalie Kyle Gajewski — a London native – is a workhouse and has been among the best in the conference in the second half. Captain Tyler Kennedy is a dominant force.

Game 1 – Thurs., March 23 at London 7:00

Game 2 – Fri., March 24 at London 7:30

Game 3 – Sun., March 26 at Sault Ste. Marie 7:00

Game 4 – Tues., March 28 at Sault Ste. Marie 7:00

Game 5 – Thurs., March 30 at London 7:00*

Game 6 – Sat., April 1 at Sault Ste. Marie 7:30*

Game 7 – Mon., April 3 at London 7:00*

Plymouth Whalers (2) vs. Windsor Spitfires (7)

(Season series tied 4-4-0-0)

The Whalers won the battle with the Saginaw Spirit for top spot in the West Division with an overtime win on the last day of the season. That gave them the second seed in the playoffs and home ice advantage over the Spitfires could be the difference in this series. The cross-border rivals are evenly matched — they split the season series and finished the season just four points apart. John Armstrong and Andrew Fournier were the Whalers top guns against Windsor this season, combining for 10 goals. Captain John Vigilante also picked up three goals and seven points in six games against the Spits. Cal O’Reilly was Windsor’s top scorer this season and he showed that against the Whalers, scoring a team-high four goals and 11 points in the eight game regular season series. In goal, Anthony Guadagnolo has been the Spitfires best player while the Whalers picked up former all-star Justin Peters midway through the season.

Game 1- Sat., March 25 at Plymouth 7:30

Game 2 – Sun., March 26 at Windsor 7:00

Game 3 – Tues., March 28 at Plymouth 7:30

Game 4 – Thurs., March 30 at Windsor 7:30

Game 5 – Sat., April 1 at Plymouth 7:30*

Game 6 – Sun., April 2 at Windsor 7:00*

Game 7 – Tues., April 4 at Plymouth 7:30*

Kitchener Rangers (3) vs. Owen Sound Attack (6)

(Kitchener won season series 6-0-0-0)

After struggling early this season, the Rangers have emerged as one of the top teams in the league once again. Veteran forward Evan McGrath proved himself as the club’s offensive leader and has been among the top scorers in the league throughout the season. On the back end, the Rangers are unmatched with NHL first rounders Matt Lashoff, Boris Valabik and Jakub Kindl patrolling the blueline while goaltender Dan Turple has put together spectacular numbers this season. After sweeping the Whalers in the first round of last year’s playoffs, the Attack were shocked by a first round sweep at the hands of the Rangers in the second round. They aren’t as deep as they were a year ago, but the maturation of top NHL pick Bobby Ryan, along with the emergence of Mike Angelidis as an elite scorer has pushed the Attack into playoff contention. Andrej Sekera is one of the best two-way defenders in the league while sophomore Bob Sanguinetti has enjoyed an all-star season.

Game 1 – Fri., March 24 at Kitchener 7:30

Game 2 – Sat., March 25 at Owen Sound 7:30

Game 3 – Mon., March 27 at Kitchener 7:00

Game 4 – Wed., March 29 at Owen Sound 7:00

Game 5 – Fri., March 31 at Kitchener 7:30*

Game 6 – Sat., April 1 at Owen Sound 7:30*

Game 7 – Mon., April 3 at Kitchener 7:00*

Guelph Storm (4) vs. Saginaw Spirit (5)

(Guelph won season series 3-1-0-0)

The Saginaw Spirit are making their first foray into the OHL post-season since moving from North Bay in 2002. Their fans will be pumped about the playoffs and the Spirit hope to use that energy to help push them past the Storm. Captain Patrick McNeill — a former first overall pick — is the team’s leader and most valuable player. He has the ability to carry the play and will be counted on to continue to elevate his game in the post-season. Guelph dominated the season series with captain and scoring leader Ryan Callahan doing the most damage with three goals and seven points. Callahan and defenceman Ryan Parent — a standout for Team Canada at the World Juniors — are the lone holdovers from the championship squad from two years ago. In net, Ryan MacDonald was a big part of London’s record-setting run last year and has been among the statistical leaders all season.

Game 1 – Fri., March 24 at Guelph 7:30

Game 2 – Mon., March 27 at Saginaw 7:11

Game 3 – Tues., March 28 at Guelph 7:00

Game 4 – Thurs., March 30 at Saginaw 7:11

Game 5 – Sat., April 1 at Guelph 7:30*

Game 6 – Sun., April 2 at Saginaw 6:00*

Game 7 – Tues., April 4 at Guelph 7:00*

Eastern Conference

Peterborough Petes (1) vs. Ottawa 67’s (8)

(Peterborough won season series 6-2-0-0)

One year ago, Ottawa dumped the Petes in four straight in the Eastern Conference finals. It was a quick series, but it was hard fought and that is sure to continue in this first round match-up. The Petes were the class of the Eastern Conference this year, setting a new team record with 99 points. They are very deep up front with veterans Daniel Ryder, Jamie Tardif, Jordan Morrison and Steve Downie, who was sensational with the Spitfires in the playoffs last year. Sophomore Jordan Staal has blossomed into one of the top two-way players in the league. Danny Battachio was heroic in Ottawa’s run to the Memorial Cup last year and is capable of winning games single-handedly. Ottawa counts on veteran sniper Chris Hulit and captain Julian Talbot up front, but Talbot could miss the start of the series after picking up a spearing major in the season-finale against Sudbury. Youngsters Jamie McGinn and Logan Couture offer a glimpse into a bright future in the nation’s capital.

Game 1 – Thurs., March 23 at Peterborough 7:00

Game 2 – Sat., March 25 at Ottawa 7:00 (at Scotiabank Place)

Game 3 – Mon., March 27 at Peterborough 7:00

Game 4 – Wed., March 29 at Ottawa 7:00

Game 5 – Fri., March 31 at Peterborough 7:00*

Game 6 – Sun., April 2 at Ottawa 2:00*

Game 7 – Tues., April 4 at Peterborough 7:00*

Brampton Battalion (2) vs. Belleville Bulls (7)

(Brampton won season series 4-0-0-0 with one overtime win)

The Battalion roll into the playoffs as the hottest team in the OHL. They finished the season with a 14-game winning streak and a team-high 91 points. They have ridden the coattails of star sniper Wojtek Wolski, who has been the league’s top scorer since Christmas. Wolski combines with Luch Aquino and Aaron Snow for an effective combination that helped Brampton to a pair of wins over Belleville in the closing weeks of the season. The Bulls, one of the youngest squads heading into the playoffs, rely on sophomore forwards like John Hughes, Matt Beleskey and Shawn Matthias. They have suffered through multiple injuries this year, including all-star goalie Kevin Lalande, who has been out of action for a month with a lower body injury. Veterans Andrew Gibbons and Jeff Leavitt are among the best penalty killers in the league.

Game 1 – Fri., March 24 at Brampton 7:30

Game 2 – Sun., March 26 at Brampton 2:00

Game 3 – Mon., March 27 at Belleville 7:05

Game 4 – Wed., March 29 at Belleville 7:05

Game 5 – Fri., March 31 at Brampton 7:30*

Game 6 – Sat., April 1 at Belleville 7:15*

Game 7 – Tues., April 4 at Brampton 7:30*

Barrie Colts (3) vs. Toronto St. Michael’s Majors (6)

(Barrie won season series 5-1-0-0)

Bryan Little, who has 116 career goals in three seasons, is the Colts’ lynchpin. The former OHL rookie of the year had a goal and three assists in Sunday’s season finale against the Majors before being carried off the ice after crashing head first into the boards. The Colts have other offensive weapons, including Hunter Tremblay and Ryan Hamilton, who both enjoyed career highs offensively this year and combined for 13 goals in six wins against the Majors this season. Defenceman Andrew Marshall was the highest scoring defenceman in the league with 23 goals this year and goaltender Dan LaCosta has developed into a top-line starter. The Majors have a skilled group up front that includes the Donati twins, along with effective veteran Cory Vitarelli and captain Tyler Haskins. On the blueline, Scott Lehman and Ryan Wilson log huge amounts of ice time.

Game 1 – Thurs., March 23 at Barrie 7:30

Game 2 – Fri., March 24 at Toronto 7:30

Game 3 – Sun., March 26 at Barrie 6:00

Game 4 – Tues., March 28 at Toronto 7:30

Game 5 – Thurs., March 30 at Barrie 7:30*

Game 6 – Sun., April 2 at Toronto 2:00*

Game 7 – Mon., April 3 at Barrie 7:30*

Kingston Frontenacs (4) vs. Sudbury Wolves (5)

(Sudbury won season series 2-0-0-0 with one shootout win)

After missing the playoffs in two of the previous three years, the Frontenacs have put together a skilled club that should continue to be a force for seasons to come. They boast several top-end NHL prospects, including Chris Stewart, who emerged as one of the best stories in the league this season. The younger brother of former all-star Anthony Stewart is just two years removed from taking a season off and is likely to be one of the top OHL players selected in the NHL draft in June. Bobby Hughes and Cory Emmerton are also effective up front, while sophomore Ben Shutron is a quarterback-type defender. Goalie Danny Taylor brings Memorial Cup experience after backing up Adam Dennis during Guelph’s championship run two years ago. The Wolves have an effective group up front including top NHL pick Benoit Pouliot and veterans Nick Foligno and Kevin Baker. NHL first rounder Marc Staal was the top defender at the World Juniors and is a top candidate for winning the OHL’s top defenceman award.

Game 1 – Fri., March 24 at Kingston 7:30

Game 2 – Sat., March 25 at Kingston 7:00

Game 3 – Tues., March 28 at Sudbury 7:30

Game 4 – Wed., March 29 at Sudbury 7:30

Game 5 – Fri., March 31 at Kingston 7:30*

Game 6 – Sun., April 2 at Sudbury 7:00*

Game 7 – Tues., April 4 at Kingston 7:00*

* Denotes if necessary games.

ALL SERIES ARE BEST OF SEVEN.