2018 OHL Western Conference Championship Series Schedule
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the schedule for the 2018 OHL Western Conference Championship Series for the Wayne Gretzky Trophy between the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the Kitchener Rangers beginning on Friday, April 20, in Sault Ste. Marie.
The third round series features the first and second seeds in the OHL’s Western Conference standings during the 2017-18 regular season. The Greyhounds captured their fifth Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions powered by a franchise best 116 points with a 55-7-3-3 record also capturing their seventh Bumbacco Trophy since it was first awarded to the West Division winners in 1994-95. They advance to the West Final following a four-game series win over the Saginaw Spirit, and a thrilling seven-game series victory over the Owen Sound Attack which wrapped up Tuesday night. The Rangers earned their third Holody Trophy since the Midwest Division was formed in 1998-99 with 90 points from a 43-21-3-1 record. They defeated both the Guelph Storm and Sarnia Sting in six-game series victories to reach the Conference Championship.
During the 2017-18 regular season the Western Conference clubs went head-to-head four times including three meetings decided by a single goal. The Greyhounds emerged victorious in all four contests including a 3-2 decision on October 13, an 8-2 win on November 24, a 4-3 win on December 15, and another 4-3 triumph on March 9.
This marks the first playoff meeting between the clubs since the 2008 Western Conference Championship Series won 4-1 by the Rangers. Kitchener also won a first round encounter by a 4-0 margin in 2003, while Sault Ste. Marie won a 2000 first round matchup 4-1. Earlier playoff history between the two storied franchises includes 1992 when the Greyhounds won a Quarter-Final series in seven games, a 1985 first round battle won 8 points to 0 by the Hounds, a 1983 Semi-Final series won 8 points to 2 by the Soo, a 1982 Semi-Final series won 9 points to 3 by Kitchener, and the 1981 final won 9 points to 3 by the Rangers.
The Western Conference Champion receives the Wayne Gretzky Trophy named in honour of the Hockey Hall of Fame member who played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1977-78. The Greyhounds are competing for their first Wayne Gretzky Trophy since the two conference division in 1999, with the Rangers hunting for their third following 2003 and 2008 crowns.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:
SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS (1) vs. KITCHENER RANGERS (2):
Game 1, Fri., April 20 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07
Game 2, Sat., April 21 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07
Game 3, Mon., April 23 at Kitchener, 7:00
Game 4, Wed., April 25 at Kitchener, 7:00
Game 5, Fri., April 27 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07*
Game 6, Sun., April 29 at Kitchener, 2:00*
Game 7, Mon., April 30 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07*
*if necessary
#SSMvsKIT
The Ontario Hockey League, in association with its digital media partner NeuLion, are proud to offer special packages and rates for OHL Live coverage of the 2018 OHL Playoffs on PC, Mobile, and Tablet devices through the OHL Live app.
Single Round Team Pass Home and Away: $25.99
Playoff All Access : $49.99
Single Game: $7.99
*All prices in Canadian dollars
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