OHL Playoff Primer: Round Two
The London Knights celebrating as a group [LuIt's a busy night in the OHL tonight, with four games taking place as we kick off the second round of the playoffs. All four of the second-round series will play game one simultaneously in what promises to be an exciting night of junior hockey.
With that in mind, this article serves as a primer for the second round of the playoffs with key details about how each team did in the first round. It will also focus on how the teams stacked up against one another during the regular season.
Brantford Bulldogs (1) vs. Oshawa Generals (4)
The Bulldogs took the season series against the Generals, defeating them six times in eight meetings. It should be noted that many of these games were tight, with Brantford picking up a win in the shootout and a win in overtime.
In round one, the Bulldogs took down North Bay in a five-game series where they were clearly the better team. They were middle of the pack in terms of scoring while allowing the second fewest goals of any Eastern Conference team in round one.
The Generals won their first-round series against the Brampton Steelheads in six games. Owen Griffin played some of his best hockey in round one, scoring six goals and adding six assists in the series. He is a player to watch as this series gets underway.
Anaheim Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke missed the last two games of the series with an injury, and it remains unknown whether he will make a return to start this series.
This should be a bruising series between two teams with big D-corps. There is elite talent on both sides, and it should be a blast watching these two offenses go toe to toe. A slight edge goes to Brantford for taking the season series.
Potential difference makers: Nick Lardis, Owen Protz, Marek Vanacker, Calum Ritchie, Owen Griffin, Colby Barlow
Barrie Colts (2) vs. Kingston Frontenacs (3)
The Barrie Colts got the better of the Kingston Frontenacs during the regular season, coming up with three wins in four meetings.
The Colts overcame Niagara in a five-game series to reach the second round. The turbulent IceDogs played decently but ultimately could not match Barrie's depth and experience.
Kingston swept Sudbury in round one and should be well rested going into their second-round series against Barrie.
These are two teams that lean heavily on playing a two-way game. Both can play heavy physical styles while also maintaining a very high skill level throughout their lineups. Dalyn Wakely led the way for Barrie in round one, amassing 12 points in their five-game series, while Cedrick Guindon came out as the leader for Kingston with eight points in four games.
This series is a fantastic example of an unstoppable force (the Barrie offense) meeting an immovable object (Kingston's defense). Barrie averaged more than five goals per game in round one while the Frontenacs averaged three. Meanwhile, the Frontenacs allowed just two goals per game in round one while Barrie allowed nearly five goals per game. Will Kingston outlast Barrie? Can the Colts run up the score against a stingy opponent?
Difference Makers: Jacob Battaglia, Cedrick Guindon, Ben Pickell, Dalyn Wakely, Keshawn Aitcheson, Cole Beaudoin.
London Knights (1) vs. Erie Otters (5)
The Knights took the season series between the two groups, picking up four wins in six meetings. Interestingly, Erie won the first and last games these two groups played against one another this season.
London swept Owen Sound in round one, which should come as a surprise to no one. They are the reigning champions for a reason, and they are arguably stronger than they were last season. Team captain Denver Barkey led the way, averaging three points per game in round one, while Leafs prospect Easton Cowan and San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson trailed behind with just over two points per game.
The Otters exploded in the first round, scoring seemingly at will against Saginaw during their five-game series. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Martin Misiak led the team with 12 points in the series while overagers Sam Alfano and Pano Fimis each posted 11 points.
The biggest question in this series is whether Erie can shore up their defense. They averaged nearly five goals against playing an injured, though offensively brilliant, Saginaw group. They allowed by far the most goals of any Western Conference team in round two.
Erie will need to be sharp to beat this London crew, who have their sights set of returning to the Memorial Cup.
Difference makers: Denver Barkey, Sam Dickinson, Easton Cowan, Pano Fimis, Sam Alfano, Dylan Edwards, Martin Misiak
Windsor Spitfires (2) vs. Kitchener Rangers (3)
This may very well be the most interesting series heading into the second round. These two teams split the season series at two apiece during the regular season. Though it should be noted, one of Kitchener's wins did come in a shootout.
The Spitfires brought low the Soo Greyhounds in their five-game series by averaging seven goals per game. The terrifying tandem of Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas and L.A. Kings prospect Liam Greentree both scored 15 points to lead not only the team but also the entire OHL Playoffs in points.
The Kitchener Rangers took out the Flint Firebirds in five games while allowing just eight goals. Trent Swick led the team with nine points in their opening series while goaltender Jackson Parsons maintained an impressive 1.58 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage.
Special teams will be interesting to watch in this series, considering that the dynamic Windsor power play, which is operating at a 38.5 percent success rate, will run up against a Kitchener penalty kill that has yet to be scored on in the postseason.
Can Parsons and the Kitchener defense slow down Windsor's dynamic offense led by Protas and Greentree? The answer to that question could easily determine the outcome of this series.