The Memorial Cup hosts will kick off their playoff run against the big and tough Owen Sound Attack.
Saginaw and Owen Sound play Game 1 on Thursday night in Saginaw, as the Memorial Cup hosts get their journey started at home.
The Spirit clearly loaded up for a deep playoff run at the deadline, and they don't plan on getting knocked out in the first round by Owen Sound. Owen Beck, Jorian Donovan, Josh Bloom — all players that Saginaw picked up at the trade deadline.
Saginaw might just have the deepest lineup "on paper" in the entire OHL. Their depth chart is unbelievable, with NHL prospect Ethan Hay playing on their fourth line. Saginaw has nine NHL-affiliated players in their game one lineup against Owen Sound — something the Attack cannot compete with.
Being the Memorial Cup hosts comes with a great deal of pressure to go deep into the postseason — this is exactly why Saginaw loaded up the way they did. If they get an injury in one position, they have a high-end replacement waiting behind them. Not many teams can say that this season.
Who is Saginaw's X factor? That would be top NHL Draft eligible prospect Zayne Parekh.
The Owen Sound Attack are very top heavy with top prospects Colby Barlow, Cedrick Guindon, and overager Deni Goure leading the way up front. The one thing that Owen Sound does have over Saginaw — is that they are big and tough. The Attack have built a tough culture over the last few seasons, and while they may not be the better team on paper, they won't be an easy sweep.
On the back end, Konnor Smith and Sam Sedley will see a boatload of ice time and will both likely face top matchups each shift. Smith is a big body who intimidates his opponents physically, while Sedley can create some offence with his vision.
In net, the Attack may also have the edge. Rookie goaltender Carter George has been one of the best netminders in the entire OHL this season, and he has kept Owen Sound in a lot of games they shouldn't have been in. He has the ability to steal games, and that X factor can win a series. Saginaw doesn't have that in goal.
Carter George will be the Attack's X factor in this series.
Though Saginaw is the clear favourite in this matchup, I don't believe that it will be easy for them to win.
Series Prediction: Saginaw Wins in 7 Games
Owen Sound has the potential to push this to 7 games with their physical edge and goaltending. They won't be able to keep up with Saginaw's offence once the flood gates open, but I think that they could put up a strong fight in this series.