The playoff teams in the Western Conference are set, and there is only one spot remaining in the Eastern Conference. The Guelph Storm and the Flint Firebirds have become the final two teams from the West to punch their ticket to the postseason, as the two teams are currently tied at 62 points a piece. Both teams clinched with a Firebirds win, and a Sarnia Sting loss on Wednesday night. The Sarnia Sting and the Windsor Spitfires have officially been eliminated from the 2024 OHL Playoffs, and will be put into the draft lottery. The Guelph Storm were in 5th place in the West not too long ago, but they have struggled recently. They lost both of their games this past weekend, allowing Erie and Owen Sound to leapfrog them in the standings. All that matters is that they have clinched now, and they can look forward to their placement that determines who they will play. If the postseason began today, the Storm would play the Saginaw Spirit — not too favourable of a matchup. The best case scenario for Guelph is finishing 5th, in which they would play the Kitchener Rangers. The Storm also have two games in hand over Flint, Erie, and Owen Sound in that tight race. Guelph has a lot of young talent, but making the playoffs will be a great experience for their roster. They are likely a team that is looking to be competitive next year or the season after, and this playoff experience will pay dividends for them as an organization. The Flint Firebirds currently sit in the 8th spot, tied in points with Guelph. Flint is a team that had the expectation of being a rebuilder heading into the season, and they haven't strayed away from that this season. Overage sniper Oliver Peer was a solid offensive boost at the trade deadline, and the Pitre brothers have both had impressive seasons, but they don't have the depth to be a contending team this season. If the playoffs were to start today, Flint would play London — another non favourable matchup. Oliver Peer Post Game Interview The Firebirds will look to get a few big additions at this year's OHL Priority Selection, as they are in need of a "difference maker" on the offensive end. Nathaniel Day has been solid in the crease, and Tristan Bertucci has been directing things on the blue line — but they lack that game-changer up front. Both Flint and Guelph will look to muster large upsets in the postseason — should they play London and Saginaw respectively. If either of these teams were to work their way into the 5th or 6th spot, they would be in a slightly better position playing either the Soo or Kitchener. One way or another, both teams have clinched a spot in the OHL playoffs after many question marks heading into this season.
