OHL Western Conference Playoff Preview

Eight Western Conference teams begin their journey through the 2016 OHL Playoffs!

Here’s a look at the four Western Conference first round matchups:

ERIE OTTERS (1) vs. SAGINAW SPIRIT (8) – #ERvsSAG

Having won five playoff series in the past two years, the Erie Otters are back for more, entering the 2016 OHL Playoffs as Midwest Division Champions for a second straight year.

The 2016 Hamilton Specator Trophy recipients played to a mark of 52-15-1-0 this season, becoming the first franchise in OHL history to string together three straight 50-win seasons.

Though they match up with the eighth-seeded Saginaw Spirit, the Otters have been deliberate in their preparation for the first round encounter, gradually ramping up the pace in the lead-up to Friday’s game one on home ice.

The Saginaw Spirit enter the first round series without the services of veteran winger Kris Bennett who is sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks with an upper body injury.

Despite the loss, overage Spirit captain Connor Brown wants to make the most of his final trip to the OHL Playoffs.

The Spirit did manage to take two wins against the high-powered Otters this season.

“They have some offensive juggernauts on their team, but we try to be a good defensive team,” Brown told MLive.com’s Hugh Bernreuter. “We try to clog up the neutral zone and keep them out of our end. It seems some of their players have trouble playing against our system. Whatever it is, it’s been working for us.”

“Confidence is almost everything in hockey,” he continued. “I’m really confident in our team. I know we’re going to battle them. I’m looking forward to Friday.”

The Spirit will put their best foot forward against a veteran Otters group looking to finish the job after reaching the OHL Finals last spring.

Season Series:
Teams tied season series 2-2
Oct. 24, 2015 – SAG 6 @ ER 3 (SAG: Brown, Maksimov 1G 1A)
Nov. 21, 2015 – ER 3 @ SAG 2 (ER: Lodnia 1G, 1A)
Feb. 19, 2016 – ER 1 @ SAG 3 (SAG: Cormier 28 SV)
Feb. 27, 2016 – SAG 2 @ ER 4 (ER: Fellows, Betz 1G, 1A)

Playoff History:
This will be Erie and Saginaw’s second meeting in the OHL Playoffs.
– 2014 ER def. SAG 4-1 – 1st round.

Series Schedule:
Game 1, Fri, Mar 25 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 27 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 29 at Saginaw – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 31 at Saginaw – 7:05 p.m.
Game 5, Sat, Apr 2 at Erie – 3:00 p.m.* (First Niagara Centre, Buffalo)
Game 6, Sun, Apr 3 at Saginaw – 4:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 5 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.*
*if necessary

—–

SARNIA STING (2) vs. SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS (7) – #SARvsSSM

The Sarnia Sting and the Soo Greyhounds haven’t met in the OHL Playoffs since 1996, but that’s about to change.

Fresh off a record-setting regular season, the Sarnia Sting embark on a first round series against the Greyhounds after establishing new franchise marks in wins (42) and points (91) to claim their first West Division title since 2004.

Sarnia dominated the season series against Sault Ste. Marie until the Hounds scored a 5-2 victory in their latest encounter on March 3rd.

Though they had their struggles against the Sting, the Hounds aren’t throwing in the towel.

“They made a lot of big deadline moves and yeah, we’re definitely underdogs,” Hounds 45-goal scorer Zach Senyshyn told the Sault Star’s Peter Ruicci. “But it excites me to be an underdog. It’s bringing this group together. It’s helping us bond.”

New York Rangers prospect Brandon Halverson looks to provide answers in goal. The 6’4″, 203Ib. netminder turned around a slow start to his season to bring his numbers up in the second half.

Hounds head coach Drew Bannister admitted playoff teams “who have success have outstanding goaltending. If he plays as he has over the last couple of months, he’ll give us an opportunity to win games.”

Top 2016 NHL Draft prospect Jakob Chychrun will no doubt see big minutes on the Sting blueline. He’s been impressed with what he’s seen from Sarnia’s first round opponent throughout the season.

“They’re a young, skilled team,” he told the Sarnia Observer’s Terry Bridge. “They play with the puck really well, they have a good breakout, they’ve played us well all year. It’s going to be a good match-up for us.”

The Sting feature a multi-pronged attack, boasting elite offensive talent in Philadelphia Flyers prospect Travis Konecny, New Jersey Devils first rounder Pavel Zacha, overage scorer Matt Mistele and several other contributors in their top nine.

Sarnia looks to advance to the second round of the OHL Playoffs for the first time since 2008 but will have to get by an eager group of young Greyhounds that stand in their way.

Season Series:
Sarnia won season series 5-1-0-0
Oct. 16, 2015 – SSM 2 @ SAR 5 (SAR: Bushnell 3A)
Oct. 23, 2015 – SAR 7 @ SSM 2 (SAR: Chychrun 2G, 1A)
Jan. 10, 2016 – SAR 5 @ SSM 1 (SAR: Kyrou, Lindberg, Bushnell 1G, 1A)
Feb. 10, 2016 – SAR 2 @ SSM 1 (SAR: Fazio 25 SV)
Feb. 21, 2016 – SSM 3 @ SAR 4 OT (GWG: Jacobs) (SAR: Konecny, Lajeunesse 2A)
Mar. 3, 2016 – SSM 5 @ SAR 2 (SSM: Senyshyn 2G, 1A)

Playoff History:
This will be Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie’s second meeting in the OHL Playoffs.
– 1996 SAR def. SSM 4-0 – 1st round

Series Schedule:
Game 1, Fri, Mar 25 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 27 at Sarnia – 4:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 29 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 31 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 5, Sat, Apr 2 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 3 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 5 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.*
*if necessary

—–

LONDON KNIGHTS (3) vs. OWEN SOUND ATTACK (6) – #LDNvsOS

The Owen Sound Attack are rolling up their sleeves in preparation for what they know is an arduous first round task.

Outscored 16-2 in their three trips to London this season, there’s little doubt the Attack know the challenge that lies ahead, but the Bears aren’t about to let the numbers overwhelm them.

“I know they’ve been hot lately,” Attack forward Josh Sterk told Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press. “But we’re not going to roll over. We’re going to come out and give them a good fight.”

While the Attack have had their misfortunes at Budweiser Gardens this season, they’ve always been a tough two points in the confines of the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre where their physical crash and bang style puts opposing defencemen on the run.

“I know skilled players don’t like playing at the Harry Lumley,” Sterk continued. “So hopefully, we can give them a good battle.”

With a deep blueline led by captain Santino Centorame and minute-eaters Damir Sharipzyanov and Thomas Schemitsch, the Attack can also rely on their goaltending, boasting one of the league’s best in Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael McNiven.

Goals will be the key for Owen Sound though, a team with just two 20+ goal scorers in their lineup, one being 16-year-old rookie Nick Suzuki who will suit up in his hometown of London for games one and two.

The Knights counter with both the best offence and stingiest defence in the OHL this season, coming at opponents with five 30+ goal scorers and three 100-point producers in Christian Dvorak, Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk.

Dvorak (6-5–11) and Marner (2-8–10) feasted on the Attack in their six meetings this season.

The Knights look to rebound from a crushing defeat to end the 2015-16 season as Erie edged them out for the Midwest Division crown in a 4-2 loss to the Otters on Saturday.

Despite falling short, the Knights have gone on an unprecedented run of success in the recent history of the franchise, recording 10 seasons of 49 wins or better in 13 years dating back to 2003-04.

The green and gold look to build upon their accomplished OHL legacy when the puck drops for game one on Friday.

Season Series:
London won season series 4-1-1-0
Oct. 10, 2015 – LDN 1 @ OS 2 (OS: McNiven 32 SV)
Oct. 23, 2015 – OS 1 @ LDN 5 (LDN: Piccinich 2G, 1A)
Nov. 27, 2015 – OS 1 @ LDN 6 (LDN: Dvorak 3G, 1A)
Nov. 28, 2015 – LDN 4 @ OS 1 (LDN: Dvorak, Marner 1G, 1A)
Dec. 19, 2015 – LDN 3 @ OS 4 OT (GWG: Suzuki) (OS: Suzuki 2G)
Feb. 5, 2016 – OS 0 @ LDN 5 (LDN: Dvorak 2G, 2A)

Playoff History:
This will be London and Owen Sound’s sixth meeting in the OHL Playoffs.
– 2011 OS def. LDN 4-2 – 1st round / 2007 LDN def. OS 4-0 – 1st round / 2006 LDN def. OS 4-2 – 2nd round / 1999 LDN def. OS 4-1 – Western Conference Finals / 1992 LDN def. OS 4-1 – 1st round.

Series Schedule:
Game 1, Fri, Mar 25 at London – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 26 at London – 7:00 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 28 at Owen Sound – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 30 at Owen Sound – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Apr 1 at London – 7:30 p.m.*
Game 6, Sun, Apr 3 at Owen Sound – 2:00 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues, Apr 5 at London – 7:00 p.m.*
*if necessary

—–

KITCHENER RANGERS (4) vs. WINDSOR SPITFIRES (5) – #KITvsWSR

The last time the Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires met in the postseason, the Spits stunned the hockey world.

Down 3-0 in their 2010 Western Conference Final series with Kitchener, the Spitfires proceeded to win four straight, eliminating the Rangers before defeating the Barrie Colts for their second of back-to-back OHL titles.

Six years later, the two sides meet again with fresh faces ahead of what many feel could be the most entertaining first round bout of them all.

The Kitchener Rangers host games one and two on home ice and get a shot in the arm with the return of steady rearguard Frank Hora to the lineup.

Comparable clubs in terms of depth and talent, this Western Conference clash could come down to execution.

“They’re a good hockey team,” Rangers head coach Mike Van Ryn told Josh Brown of the Waterloo Region Record. “They’re deep and have a lot of scoring. They get some production from their back end. They’ve got some guys that can hurt you as that fourth guy on the rush.”

While Van Ryn and Spitfires head coach Rocky Thompson both prepare for their first OHL playoff series, several players in Windsor’s lineup are new to the scene as well after the Spits fell short last spring, missing the postseason for the second time in three years.

“Experience does mean a lot, but you learn on the job real quick,” Spitfires GM Warren Rychel told the Windsor Star’s Jim Parker. “It’s a different animal when you’re playing the same guys every night for two weeks. Little things are magnified and it’s a good challenge for our team.”

While several players make their playoff debuts, the Spitfires are a far cry from a fringe team, finishing the season with 40 wins for the first time since the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Champion Spitfires won 50.

Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Fischer has been a reliable source of offence alongside draft eligible centreman Logan Brown and Winnipeg Jets prospect Brendan Lemieux, but Windsor’s biggest strength may be on the blueline where twin towers Logan Stanley and Patrick Sanvido are joined by the big cannon of Mikhail Sergachev and mobile puck-mover Jalen Chatfield.

Windsor’s biggest question mark lies in goal where both 16-year-old Michael DiPietro and newcomer Mario Culina have shown themselves capable. The question remains as to who Thompson will turn to when he decides who will carry the load in the crease.

Meanwhile in Kitchener, the Rangers try and kick start their game after a  4-4-0-1 March that saw them fall in the BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings. They’re in the hunt to win their first postseason round in three years and will look to do so on the backs of offensive producers Ryan MacInnis, Adam Mascherin and Jeremy Bracco.

Missing injured veterans Dmitrii Sergeev and Brian Brosnan on the blueline has definitely impacted the Rangers down the stretch, placing both Miles Liberati and Dylan Di Perna into larger roles that they’ve excelled in.

Kitchener will lean on St. Louis Blues prospect Luke Opilka between the pipes while also featuring arguably the best insurance policy in the league in 19-year-old backup Dawson Carty who finished the season with a 15-2-1-0 record.

Taking full advantage of home ice in the opening two games will be imperative for the Rangers in this series.

Season Series:
Windsor won season series 3-1-0-0
Oct. 9, 2015 – WSR 3 @ KIT 2 OT (GWG: Fischer) (WSR: DiPietro 33 SV)
Dec. 13, 2015 – KIT 3 @ WSR 4 OT (GWG: Chatfield) (WSR: Latour 1G, 1A)
Jan. 29, 2016 – WSR 0 @ KIT 2 (KIT: Opilka 20 SV) (WSR: DiPietro 37 SV)
Mar. 17, 2016 – KIT 4 @ WSR 6 (WSR: Brown 1G, 3A)

Playoff History:
This will be Kitchener and Windsor’s eighth meeting in the OHL Playoffs.
– 2010 WSR def. KIT 4-3 – Western Conference Finals / 1992 – KIT def. WSR 4-3 – 1st round / 1988 WSR def. KIT 4-0 – 1st round / 1986 WSR def. KIT 8-6 pts. – 1st round / 1982 KIT def. WSR 8-0 pts. – 2nd round / 1981 KIT def. WSR 9-1 pts. – Emms Division Finals / 1977 WSR def. KIT 3-0 – 2nd round.  (*1999 – Windsor def. Kitchener 2-1 in one game Playoff Tie-Breaker)

Series Schedule:
Game 1, Thursday, March 24th at Kitchener – 7:00 pm
Game 2, Saturday, March 26th at Kitchener – 7:00 pm
Game 3, Monday, March 28th at Windsor – 7:05 pm
Game 4, Wednesday, March 30th at Windsor – 7:05 pm
Game 5, Friday, April 1st at Kitchener – 7:30 pm*
Game 6, Sunday, April 3rd at Windsor – 2:05 pm*
Game 7, Tuesday, April 5th at Kitchener – 7:00 pm*
*if necessary

VIEW 2016 OHL PLAYOFF BRACKETS