Oshawa and Saginaw both cruised to convincing wins in their recent playoff games
Two top teams to end the OHL regular season flexed their muscles and ran their opponents out of the building over the last two days. The Generals took a commanding win over the 67's by a score of 6-1, and the Spirit went into the Soo and put a seven spot up on the Greyhounds.
Ottawa and Oshawa battled in what was a chippy and physical game from start to finish. The 67's got on the board first after a crazy bounce ended up in Oshawa's net. However, the Generals dialed it up from then on, led by Beckett Sennecke and Dylan Roobroeck.
Roobroeck is such a dangerous forward with his hulking size that allows him to protect pucks with ease and then his ability to get to the middle of the ice to let off his quick, snappy release. He added another goal and an assist to put him in a tie for first in playoff scoring with Kitchener forward Filip Mešár.
Top prospect for the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft, Beckett Sennecke showed fans and scouts why he should be regarded as a first-round draft choice. His skill complements playing alongside Colorado's top prospect Calum Ritchie.
Sennecke scored twice against the 67's, which included a highlight-reel dash of flash on the powerplay zone entry.
Oshawa and Ottawa will meet in the nation's capital tonight where the 67's will look to avoid going down 3-0 in the series.
After splitting the first two games in Saginaw, the Soo returned to a ruckus home crowd, but the Spirit sent the fans home disappointed.
Andrew Oke did not suit up after he was clipped high by Greyhounds captain Bryce McConnell-Barker in their last meeting. Nolan Lalonde, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, held down the fort in net for Saginaw, making 21 saves, but his teammates in front of him laid their bodies on the line with an incredible commitment to blocking shots.
The Soo trailed 2-0 in the second period before finally giving the home crowd something to cheer for. Vegas prospect Arttu Karki activated deep into the offensive zone, made a slick move around his defender, and then made a backhand pass from behind the net to Chicago prospect Gavin Hayes.
Shortly after, the sniper Jordan D'Intino flashed his pinpoint accuracy to tie things up with his sixth of the playoffs and fourth goal in his last two games.
With energy back into the building, Saginaw came down the ice off the ensuing faceoff where Calem Mangone scored his first of two in the game to quiet the home crowd. His tally proved to be the game-winning goal, with the Spirit scoring four more in the third and beating the Greyhounds 7-2.
Saginaw defensemen Jorian Donovan — Ottawa Senators prospect — and Rodwin Dionicio — Anaheim Ducks prospect — were excellent in this game. Dionicio threaded a pass over to Donovan through three Soo Greyhounds before ripping home his wrister for the first goal of the game.
Justin Cloutier had a penalty shot attempt in the second period. He had Lalonde moving to his right as he quickly cut back to his left, but Lalonde came up with a save of the year by somehow getting a glove on the shot.
Game four is Wednesday where the Soo Greyhounds will look to get one back and make the series a best-of-three.
Three more games take place tonight with the Oshawa versus Ottawa game being one of them. Kitchener looks to avoid a 3-0 series deficit to London on home ice, while the Sudbury Wolves look to do the same at home against North Bay. All three games start at 7pm EST.