OHL Eastern Conference Semi-Final Preview
The Ottawa 67’s, Sudbury Wolves, Niagara IceDogs and Oshawa Generals are the four teams left standing in the Eastern Conference. Here’s a closer look at two closely matched Eastern Conference Semi-Final series.
(1) OTTAWA 67’s (50-12-2-4) vs. (4) SUDBURY WOLVES (43-20-3-2)
It’s the goaltending duel everyone’s been waiting for as reigning OHL Goaltender of the Year Michael DiPietro and the Ottawa 67’s take on 2019 award candidate Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and the Sudbury Wolves.
The 67’s and Wolves haven’t crossed paths too many times in recent OHL Playoff history and squared off just twice during the regular season, requiring overtime to settle the score both times.
The Hamilton Spectator Trophy recipient 67’s rolled past the Hamilton Bulldogs in four straight games, avenging their first round demise to the eventual league champion Dogs in last year’s playoffs. 2019 NHL Draft hopeful Graeme Clarke potted five goals in the opening round series while blueliner Noel Hoefenmayer also got involved offensively with five points (3-2–5) over the four games.
Sudbury reached the second round for the first time since 2013 following a 4-0 series sweep of the Mississauga Steelheads. Rookie standout Quinton Byfield (3-4–7) formed a nice connection with 6-foot-4 winger Nolan Hutcheson (3-3–6) as the two combined for 13 points while Luukkonen was steady as always, posting a .946 save percentage in the first round series. Former first overall selection David Levin (3-1–4) returned from a lengthy absence to injury, putting up four points in as many games.
This series promises to be a good one as both teams will be reinforced with a player returning from suspension ahead of Game 1. Sudbury will gain winger Owen Robinson while Ottawa will add overage scorer Kyle Maksimovich.
The 67’s and Wolves boasted the league’s best defences during the regular season but they were also the two highest penalized teams in the league. They also both excelled on home ice, with the Barber Poles playing to a 29-3-1-1 mark in the nation’s capital while Sudbury was 27-6-1-0 in their building.
The first place 67’s boast home ice advantage and come in as the favourite in this series, but the Wolves boast a goaltender that has done it all this season, backstopping his native Finland to World Junior gold. Either way, this one is going to be tight.
Season Series:
Teams tied season series with one overtime win each
Oct. 28: SBY 3 at OTT 4 (OT)
Nov. 15: OTT 2 at SBY 3 (OT)
Playoff History:
This marks the seventh time that Ottawa and Sudbury have met in the postseason.
– 2011 SBY def. OTT 4-0 – 1st round / 2005 OTT def. SBY 4-2 – 2nd round / 1994 OTT def. SBY 4-2 – 2nd round / 1976 SBY def. OTT 8-2 pts. – 2nd round / 1975 SBY def. OTT 8-6 pts. – 1st round / 1973 OTT def. SBY 8-0 pts – 1st round
Series Schedule:
Game 1, Fri., April 5, Sudbury at Ottawa 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun., April 7, Sudbury at Ottawa 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues., April 9, Ottawa at Sudbury 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs., April 11, Ottawa at Sudbury 7:05 p.m.
Game 5, Sat., Apr 13 Sudbury at Ottawa 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Mon., Apr 15, Ottawa at Sudbury 7:05 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues., April 16, Sudbury at Ottawa 7:00 p.m.*
*If necessary
(2) NIAGARA ICEDOGS (44-17-7-0) vs. (3) OSHAWA GENERALS (44-20-4-0)
The Niagara IceDogs and Oshawa Generals renew playoff acquaintances for a second straight year, this time with an intriguing twist.
Former Generals captain Jack Studnicka and veteran blueliner Matt Brassard will square off against their old mates, a Generals squad that juggled its overage situation to add proven performers in former OHL champions Brandon Saigeon and Nicolas Mattinen along with 48-goal scorer Anthony Salinitri.
The Central Division champion IceDogs hold home ice advantage, kicking things off before an energetic crowd in St. Catharines on the heels of a 4-1 series win over the North Bay Battalion. The Dogs sent a total of 252 shots the way of Troops goaltender Christian Propp, dictating the play throughout the series as Studnicka led the way offensively with eight points (4-4–8).
The IceDogs can beat you a number of ways, racking up a franchise record 326 goals during the regular season. They’ve benefitted from the midseason addition of OHL scoring champion Jason Robertson (48-69–117) while drafted and developed talent in Ben Jones (41-61–102), Akil Thomas (38-64–102) and Philip Tomasino (34-38–72) give head coach Billy Burke an abundance of options.
Niagara boasted the league’s second-ranked power play (28.1%) during the regular season and is 16-for-16 on the penalty kill in the playoffs thus far.
Twenty-year-old netminder Stephen Dhillon will be tasked with stopping a similarly high-powered offence in Oshawa, one centred around the speed of Salinitri (48-40–88), Brett Neumann (45-34–79) and 6-foot-5 winger Serron Noel (34-47–81) who will serve a one-game suspension to start the series. Like the IceDogs, the Generals have some steady secondary options in Montreal Canadiens prospect Allan McShane (34-35–69), hard-working captain Kyle MacLean (18-42–60) and Swiss-born winger Nando Eggenberger (25-22–47).
The Generals have a valuable goaltender of their own in Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser who stood tall in a five-game first round series win over the rival Peterborough Petes.
Much like the Ottawa/Sudbury series, this one is too close to call. Fans can expect a fast-paced start to the series as two very accomplished squads look to gain an early edge.
Season Series:
Niagara won season series 1-0-1-0
Nov. 18: NIAG 3 at OSH 4 (OT)
Dec. 15: OSH 2 at NIAG 6
Playoff History:
This will be Niagara and Oshawa’s seventh meeting in the OHL Playoffs. Additionally, the Mississauga IceDogs eliminated Oshawa 4-3 in the first round of the 2004 OHL Playoffs.
– 2018 NIAG def OSH 4-1 – 1st round / 2015 OSH def. NIAG 4-1 – 2nd round / 2013 OSH def. NIAG 4-1 – 1st round / 2012 NIAG def. OSH 4-2 – 1st round / 2011 NIAG def. OSH 4-1 – 2nd round / 2008 OSH def. NIAG 4-2 – 2nd round.
Series Schedule:
Game 1, Fri., April 5, Oshawa at Niagara 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun., April 7, Oshawa at Niagara 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tue., April 9, Niagara at Oshawa 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs., April 11, Niagara at Oshawa 7:05 p.m.
Game 5, Sat., April 13, Oshawa at Niagara 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6, Mon., April 15, Niagara at Oshawa 7:05 p.m.*
Game 7, Tues., April 16, Oshawa at Niagara 7:00 p.m.*
*If necessary
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