OHL Power Rankings: Mar. 25, 2024
The 2023-24 regular season is in the books, and what a finish it was! All eight first round OHL playoff series were determined on the final day of the schedule, setting the stage for what’s sure to be an exciting postseason. Here’s the 25th and final edition of OHL Power Rankings presented by Power Staffing Solutions.
Who’s up:
Erie Otters – up two spots to #10 this week
The Otters finished the season strong, stringing together four straight wins with three of them coming last week over Flint, Windsor and Kitchener. Overage goaltending addition Ethan Fraser has answered the call in the absence of injured Ben Gaudreau as the Otters climbed to fifth in the Western Conference standings, set to embark on a first round series with Kitchener. Martin Misiak stepped up in the absence of Carey Terrance last week, ending the season on a five-game goal-scoring streak.
Guelph Storm – up two spots to #11 this week
The Storm won a pair of big games over Owen Sound, finishing the season placed sixth in the Western Conference. Overage captain Braeden Bowman had a big finish to his regular season, finishing up with 37 goals while Washington Capitals prospect Jake Karabela struck for the overtime winner in Saturday’s 7-6 win over Owen Sound. Damian Slavik slotted into the crease in the absence of injured Brayden Gillespie, getting the job done to lead the Storm into a first round series with Sault Ste. Marie.
Kingston Frontenacs – up one spot to #13 this week
The Frontenacs ended their season with three consecutive overtime wins at Slush Puppie Place. Mason Vaccari was excellent in Friday’s 3-2 victory over Ottawa, making 32 saves before Matthew Soto tied the score and won it in overtime with his 25th goal of the season. Overage defender Roman Schmidt came up with the deciding goal in Satutday’s 4-3 OT victory over Brantford. The Fronts prepare to face the North Bay Battalion in the opening round of the OHL Playoffs.
Who’s down:
Ottawa 67’s – down two spots to #12 this week
The Barber Poles skated to a commanding 9-0 win over Peterborough before dropping their final two games of the season, losing 3-2 in overtime to Kingston before dropping a 5-1 decision at home against Brantford on Sunday. Starting goaltender Collin MacKenzie went down with an injury in Friday’s game and didn’t return, with Ian Michelone taking over in the crease on Sunday. It’s been an up-and-down season for Ottawa as they finish sixth in the Eastern Conference, preparing to face Brantford in the opening round.
Owen Sound Attack – down three spots to #14 this week
The Attack came up short against the Guelph Storm, losing 5-3 on the road Thursday night before dropping their season finale 7-6 in overtime at the Bayshore on Saturday. Deni Goure did manage to reach the 100-career goal mark last week, joining fellow veteran OA’s Sam Sedley and Ethan Burroughs in rounding out his OHL regular season career with the Attack. Captain Colby Barlow also scored his 40th goal of the season on Saturday. Finding consistency has been a season-long challenge for the Bears, who prepare to face the Saginaw Spirit in Round 1 of the OHL Playoffs.
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