Anything can happen on Wild Card Play-In Day

For the first time in OHL Cup history, two Wild Card entries reached the championship final last spring.

Cole Burtch powered the Reps to an OHL Cup berth with a 5-2 win over the Halton Hurricanes while Ethan Keppen (Flint Firebirds) had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Nationals held off the Grey-Bruce Highlanders 4-3.

The Cinderella story of the two GTHL clubs only amplifies the importance of today’s five matchups as 10 teams battle over five spots at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto.

The Reps and Nats had a combined six players chosen inside the top 40 picks of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection last spring, providing two well-rounded teams that made for a thrilling OHL Cup Final capped by Dennis Golovatchev’s late winner with nine seconds remaining.

Another instalment of Wild Card Play-In action begins with the Sun County Panthers taking on the Toronto Titans followed by the USA invite Detroit Little Caesars U15’s going up against the Don Mills Flyers. The Quinte Red Devils and Mississauga Senators will lock horns at mid-day with two additional games rounding out the Wild Card schedule as the Niagara North Stars face the Peterborough Petes and the Grey-Bruce Highlanders put their best foot forward against the Mississauga Rebels.

“There’ll be a lot of scouts in the building,” said Director of OHL Central Scouting Darrell Woodley. “This could be their last chance to see a number of high-rated players for the upcoming OHL Priority Selection. It’s win or go home for these guys so it’s a great chance to see them playing their most competitive hockey.”

Some of those highly touted players on display include Sun County’s Matthew Maggio, Titans forward Jean-Luc Foudy, Little Caesars standout Carter Mazur, Quinte centreman Isaac Langdon and the Niagara North duo of Spencer Smith and Ethan Sims.

With Mississauga’s thrilling ride fresh in the minds of many, these 10 teams look to become the third Wild Card entry in OHL Cup history to claim supremacy, with additional good company in Sean Monahan’s 2010 Mississauga Rebels included on that list.

Follow along with Tuesday’s action right here at ohlcup.ca or watch live at ohlcup.gameonstream.com.