CHL Playoffs #TBT: Guelph completes comeback
In the absence of Canadian Hockey League playoff action in 2020, we take a look back at some of history’s greatest post-season records and achievements.
On this day, April 16, 2019, three point performances from Isaac Ratcliffe, Nick Suzuki, and Sean Durzi, plus two third period goals by MacKenzie Entwistle helped the Guelph Storm become the 12th team in CHL playoff history to win four straight games after trailing a best-of-seven series 3-0.
From this second round victory the Storm would go on to capture the 2019 Ontario Hockey League title, coming back to beat the Saginaw Spirit in the Western Conference Finals after trailing 3-1, then defeating the Ottawa 67’s 4-3 in the Championship Final after trailing the series 2-0.
There are four previous instances of comebacks for teams facing a 3-0 deficit in OHL playoff history including the 2014 Peterborough Petes in first round action against the Kingston Frontenacs, the 2010 Windsor Spitfires beat the Kitchener Rangers in the West Final, the 2005 Spitfires in first round action over the Soo Greyhounds, and the 1988 Ottawa 67’s in a first round victory over the Oshawa Generals.
Teams have come back to win a decisive Game 7 after trailing 3-0 five times in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff history including 2015 when the Val-d’Or Foreurs beat the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in Quarter-Final action, the 2012 Halifax Mooseheads beat the Quebec Remparts in the Quarter-Finals, the 2001 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles beat the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the first round, the 1987 Longueuil Chevaliers upset the Laval Titan in the Semi-Finals, and the 1985 Drummondville Voltigeurs beat the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs in the Quarter-Finals.
It’s happened just twice in Western Hockey League playoff history including 2013 when the Kelowna Rockets came back to beat the Seattle Thunderbirds, and 1996 when the Spokane Chiefs beat the Portland Winter Hawks, both in first round competition.
The 2019 Storm and the 1987 Chevaliers are the only teams across the CHL to win a league title after achieving successful comebacks.
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