Tuesday Showdown: Three series go the distance

A testament to the competitive balance in the OHL this season, three first round series in the 2016 OHL Playoffs have gone the distance and will come down to a decisive Game 7 tonight.

The most first round Game 7 matchups since 2004, tonight’s outcome will see three clubs advance to the second round of the OHL Playoffs.

Here’s each series at a glance and a closer look at how teams have fared historically in Game 7 matchups.

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Mississauga Steelheads (7) at Barrie Colts (2) – 7:30pm
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Both the Colts and Steelheads have produced their fair share of offence throughout the series. After a pair of dramatic overtime finishes, the two clubs have swapped dominant showings, with the trout taking a commanding 7-0 win in Game 6 on Sunday. Mississauga’s Alexander Nylander (6-5–11) has looked nearly unstoppable at times throughout the series and with the status of injured goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood up in the air, the Colts may well need David Ovsjannikov to return to Game 5 form when he pitched a 30-save shutout. The Colts need their big horses that have carried them all season to come through again tonight, while the upstart Steelheads have a huge first round upset in their grasp should they execute offensively in Game 7.

Game 1 – MISS 2 @ BAR 5
Game 2 – MISS 6 @ BAR 3
Game 3 – BAR 3 @ MISS 4 2OT
Game 4 – BAR 6 @ MISS 5 OT
Game 5 – MISS 0 @ BAR 3
Game 6 – BAR 0 @ MISS 7

Barrie Game 7 History:
The Colts are playing in their eighth Game 7, having gone 3-4 in past contests.
2013 – defeated Belleville – Eastern Conference Finals / 2013 – lost to London – OHL Finals / 2012 – lost to Ottawa – 2nd round / 2004 – lost to Mississauga – 2nd round / 2000 – defeated Sudbury – 2nd round / 2000 – defeated Plymouth – OHL Finals / 1999 – lost to Oshawa – 2nd round.

Mississauga Game 7 History:
The Steelheads are playing in their ninth Game 7, having gone 6-2 in past contests.
2011 – lost to Owen Sound – OHL Finals / 2010 – defeated Ottawa – 2nd round / 2004 – defeated Sudbury – 1st round / 2003 – defeated Belleville – 1st round / 2003 – lost to Ottawa – Eastern Conference Finals / 2002 – defeated Ottawa – 2nd round / 2001 – defeated Peterborough – 1st round / 2001 – defeated Sudbury – 2nd round.

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Peterborough Petes (6) at North Bay Battalion (3) – 7:00pm

After early indications that this would be a tight-checking, defence dominated series, the first round encounter between the North Bay Battalion and Peterborough Petes has turned into the opposite. The Petes have put up a pair of crooked numbers with seven goal outputs in the series while the Battalion have managed to win when the score has remained low. With the scene shifting back to North Bay for Game 7 tonight, the Troops will look to contain Peterborough’s fast break offence and play the game their way in front of the ‘7th man.’ Mike Amadio (7-4–11) comes off a hat-trick in Game 6 and will no doubt be a central part of North Bay’s success should they come through tonight. The Petes have relied on a balanced attack and will look to their depth to carry them behind enemy lines.

Game 1 – PBO 1 @ NB 2
Game 2 – PBO 5 @ NB 3
Game 3 – NB 6 @ PBO 7 OT
Game 4 – NB 2 @ PBO 0
Game 5 – PBO 1 @ NB 2 OT
Game 6 – NB 5 @ PBO 7

North Bay Game 7 History:
The Battalion are playing in their fourth Game 7, having gone 3-0 in past contests.
2013 – defeated Niagara – 1st round / 2010 – defeated Kingston – 1st round / 2004 – defeated Ottawa – 1st round /

Peterborough Game 7 History:
The Petes are playing in their 14th Game 7, having gone 8-5 in past contests.
2014 – defeated Kingston – 1st round / 2003 – lost to Oshawa – 1st round / 2001 – lost to Toronto – 1st round / 1996 – defeated Guelph – OHL Finals / 1995 – defeated Oshawa – 1st round / 1994 – lost to Ottawa – 1st round / 1986 – lost to Belleville – Leyden Division Finals / 1985 – lost to Sault Ste. Marie – OHL Finals / 1980 – defeated Sudbury – 2nd round / 1979 – defeated Kingston – 2nd round / 1979 – defeated Niagara Falls – OHL Finals / 1978 – defeated Ottawa – Leyden Division Finals / 1978 – defeated Hamilton – OHL Finals. * – since 1976

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WESTERN CONFERENCE

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (7) at Sarnia Sting (2) – 7:05pm

The Soo Greyhounds have put a good scare into the Sarnia Sting – and the Sting are determined to ensure that’s right where it stays. After dropping games one and two on home ice, the Sting have soldiered on without injured star Travis Konecny, rattling off victories in three of the four games since while outscoring the Hounds 10-2 in games five and six. New Jersey Devils first rounder Pavel Zacha (5-7–12) has been a big time performer of late while Jakob Chychrun (2-4–6) comes off a four point showing in Game 6. The Hounds will lean on goaltender Brandon Halverson for support as the Sarnia fans will be amped up early on as the Sting play their first Game 7 since 2000.

Game 1 – SSM 6 @ SAR 3
Game 2 – SSM 5 @ SAR 2
Game 3 – SAR 5 @ SSM 2
Game 4 – SAR 2 @ SSM 3 2OT
Game 5 – SSM 1 @ SAR 5
Game 6 – SAR 5 @ SSM 1

Sarnia Game 7 History:
The Sting are playing in their third Game 7, having gone 0-2 in past contests.
2000 – lost to Windsor – 1st round / 1997 – lost to Kitchener – 2nd round /

Sault Ste. Marie Game 7 History:
The Greyhounds are playing in their 13th Game 7, having gone 6-6 in past contests.
2007 – lost to London – 2nd round / 2005 – lost to Windsor – 1st round / 2000 – defeated Erie – 2nd round / 1992 – defeated Kitchener – 2nd round / 1992 – defeated North Bay – OHL Finals / 1985 – defeated Peterborough – OHL Finals / 1984 – lost to Kitchener – Emms Division Finals / 1983 – lost to Oshawa – OHL Finals / 1982 – defeated Brantford – 2nd round / 1981 – defeated Kingston – Leyden Division Finals / 1978 – lost to Ottawa – 2nd round / 1976 – lost to Sudbury – 2nd round. * – since 1976

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