10 games you won’t want to miss in 2016-17
With the 2016-17 OHL schedule hot off the press, here’s a look at 10 intriguing games that you won’t want to miss this season:
Sept. 21, 2016: Saginaw Spirit at Flint Firebirds (Michigan rivalry opens the season):
The Saginaw Spirit and Flint Firebirds help kick-off the 2016-17 season in one of two opening night games, continuing a cross-state rivalry that saw the Firebirds claim the inaugural I-75 Divide Cup on Mathieu Henderson’s overtime winner in their final meeting of last season. The Saginaw/Flint rivalry dates back to the IHL days of the Saginaw Gears and Flint Generals in the 1970’s, but OHL fans experienced the renewal of those old battles last season. Both clubs feature new faces behind the bench, marking a new era of OHL hockey in the state of Michigan. The Spirit, who are celebrating their 15th season, and Firebirds kick-off OHL Opening Week that features 19 games and 15 home openers.
Sept. 22, 2016: Erie Otters at Windsor Spitfires (MasterCard Memorial Cup hosts open season):
The 99th edition of the MasterCard Memorial Cup comes to Windsor in 2017 and the host Spitfires are set to open their season on Thursday September 22 against the Erie Otters. The Spits, who feature an up-and-coming core with Mikhail Sergachev, Logan Brown, Logan Stanley, Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Fischer and sophomores Gabriel Vilardi and Michael DiPietro, have their sights set on contending this season and look to get things started with a win. The visiting Otters enter the 2016-17 campaign on the heels of becoming the only team in OHL history to have won at least 50 games in three straight seasons.
Sept. 23, 2016: Erie Otters at London Knights (Reigning champions recognized on home ice):
The reigning MasterCard Memorial Cup champion London Knights open the home portion of their schedule against the Erie Otters, unveiling their championship banners in front of a capacity crowd at Budweiser Gardens. The Knights will begin the 2016-17 season on the heels of a historic 17-game winning streak that captured an OHL championship before a 4-0 performance at the MasterCard Memorial Cup in Red Deer. The Knights play host to their Midwest Division rival Erie Otters in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Final for the Wayne Gretzky Trophy.
Nov. 11, 2016: Owen Sound Attack at Kitchener Rangers (Remembrance Day Game):
Remembrance Day falls on a Friday in 2016-17 and nine teams will salute our troops and veterans on home ice. The Kitchener Rangers, well-known for their many commemorative jerseys over the years, will play host to the Midwest Division opponent Owen Sound Attack. Other Remembrance Day games will take place in Sault Ste. Marie, London, Flint, Guelph, Sudbury, Niagara, Mississauga and Hamilton.
Nov. 16, 2016: Niagara IceDogs at Hamilton Bulldogs (School Day Game):
The Niagara IceDogs head down the QEW to take on the Hamilton Bulldogs for a 10:30am start, one of four morning games on the schedule that day and seven throughout the 2016-17 season. The Bulldogs look to rebound after missing the playoffs in their inaugural season last year. They’ll look to key contributors in Matthew Strome, Matt Luff and Niki Petti under the leadership of new head coach John Gruden and general manager Steve Staios. Other Wednesday morning games that day will take place in Mississauga, Ottawa, and Saginaw.
Nov. 19, 2016: London Knights at Niagara IceDogs (Rogers OHL Championship Series rematch):
The London Knights visit the Niagara IceDogs in a rematch of the 2016 Rogers OHL Championship Series, marking the first time the two clubs will meet since their clash in May. With the potential of the Knights featuring a returning core that includes top NHL Draft prospects in Matthew Tkachuk, Olli Juolevi, Max Jones and Tyler Parsons, the Knights look to be in the thick of things once again in 2016-17. Playing their 10th OHL season, the IceDogs are defending their Eastern Conference title under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Dave Bell.
Jan. 13, 2017: North Bay Battalion at Sudbury Wolves (10-game Friday night schedule):
The North Bay Battalion visit the Sudbury Wolves in another chapter of their northern Ontario rivalry. The Friday night battle is one of 10 games on the schedule, marking the only day of the 2016-17 season that includes all 20 teams in action. After two seasons outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the Wolves look to return to the postseason in their 45th year featuring a developing core led by Russian scorer Dmitry Sokolov, former first overall pick David Levin and standout defenceman Kyle Capobianco.
Jan. 29, 2017: Peterborough Petes at North Bay Battalion (COGECOTV Hockey Day in the OHL):
Peterborough and North Bay square off in the midst of COGECOTV Hockey Day in the OHL Tripleheader, a day highlighting OHL hockey in communities across the province. The Petes and Battalion went head-to-head in a grueling seven game Eastern Conference Quarter-Final clash last spring and will be sure to make for a competitive matchup along with other games in COGECOTV markets that include Saginaw at Sarnia and Hamilton at Windsor.
Feb. 20, 2017: Barrie Colts at Kingston Frontenacs (Family Day Game):
The back-to-back Central Division champion Barrie Colts visit the reigning East Division champion Kingston Frontenacs on Family Day, marking one of eight Monday afternoon games on the schedule. Family Day in the OHL has quickly become one of the most popular days across the league. Other Family Day clashes will take place in Sarnia, Guelph, Mississauga, Hamilton, Oshawa, Peterborough and Ottawa.
Mar. 19, 2017: Peterborough Petes at Oshawa Generals (2016-17 season concludes):
The long-standing East Division rivalry between the Peterborough Petes and Oshawa Generals wraps up the 2016-17 season in a game that could have potential playoff implications. Celebrating 80 years of hockey in Oshawa this season, the Generals look to close out the campaign with a win on home ice.
The 2016-17 OHL season is just 90 days away! Catch all the action on OHL Live that returns this season to bring fans access to all 680 games streamed live on desktop, tablet and mobile devices.
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