OHL Playoff Roundup: Saturday Night
Here are the results of Saturday’s first round playoff matchups in the OHL:
Sudbury Wolves 8 vs. Ottawa 67’s 7 OT
Andrey Kuchin scored a hat-trick including the overtime winner plus two assists to lift the Wolves to a 1-0 series lead in a wild series opener played at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. Kuchin’s winner came at 3:06 of the extra frame.
A total of three hat-tricks were recorded in this contest with Joshua Leivo of the Wolves picking up a five-point night with a hat-trick of his own plus two assists as the game’s second star, and Ryan Martindale of the 67’s netting three goals and first star. Tyler Toffoli also had a big night for the 67’s with a pair of goals and assists, but Michael Sgarbossa had the biggest offensive night with a goal and five assists for six points as the game’s third star.
The game was a total back and forth affair with the Wolves holding the biggest lead with a two goal margin in the third period before the 67’s scored twice in the last ten minutes to tie the score.
Petr Mrazek allowed seven goals for Ottawa and was pulled in favour of Shayne Campbell who took the overtime loss but made 10 saves in less than 20 minutes of action. Alain Valiquette held on for the win making 41 saves.
Game two of this series will be played Monday night in Sudbury.
Plymouth Whalers 3 vs. Kitchener Rangers 2 OT
The Whalers have jumped to a 2-0 series lead over the Rangers following a thrilling overtime victory on the heroics of Robbie Czarnik at 2:23 of the extra frame.
Scott Wedgewood was outstanding in goal for the second straight night making 29 saves as first star of the contest. Brandon Maxwell took the loss but made 35 saves.
The Rangers led the game 2-0 on goals by Jerry D’Amigo in the second and third period.
Tyler Brown and Mitchell Heard scored less than two minutes apart midway through the third period to knot the score and force overtime.
Game three of this series will be played Monday night back in Kitchener.
Windsor Spitfires 4 vs. Erie Otters 3 2OT
The longest game in Otters history did not end as desired for the home team as the Windsor Spitfires stole a 4-3 double overtime win to tie the series at one apiece.
Jeff Brown buried a rebound off a Taylor Carnevale shot at 11:09 of the fifth period for his second goal of the game.
The teams traded two goals each in the first period beginning with Mike Cazzola’s first of two for the Otters at 10:29 on the power play. Shawn Szydlowski had a multi-point night for the Otters with a goal and an assist while Spitfires captain Ryan Ellis also tallied a goal and an assist.
Jack Campbell earned the win in goal for the Spitfires with 40 saves over Ramis Sadikov who stopped 45 shots despite the loss.
Game three of the series goes Monday night back at the WFCU Centre in Windsor.
Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors 1 vs. Belleville Bulls 0
Justin Shugg scored the game’s only goal at 7:18 of the first period to claim first star honours and lift the Majors to a 2-0 series lead over the Belleville Bulls.
JP Anderson was named third star of the game stopping all 21 shots to record his second career post season shutout.
In the other crease, Malcolm Subban played well and was honoured as the game’s second star making 28 saves.
Game three of this series shifts back to the Hershey Centre on Sunday afternoon.
London Knights 5 vs. Owen Sound Attack 1
Michael Houser was incredible for the second straight night making 52 saves to backstop the Knights to a 5-1 victory over the Attack to tie the first round series 1-1.
The Knights spread out the offense with five different goal scorers including Seth Griffith who opened the scoring just 19 seconds into the game.
In addition to Griffith, Vladislav Namestnikov, Jared Knight, Colin Martin, and captain Stephen Sanza all had two point games.
Roman Berdnikov scored the lone goal for the Attack at 7:35 of the second period to cut the lead to 2-1.
Jordan Binnington made 24 saves despite the loss.
Game three of this series goes Tuesday night back in Owen Sound.