Ontario Hockey League Playoffs Round 2: Preview, Predictions

WINDSOR, ON - MARCH 06: Forward Ted Nichol #26 of the Kingston Frontenacs celebrates a goal against the Windsor Spitfires on March 6, 2016 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ON - MARCH 06: Forward Ted Nichol #26 of the Kingston Frontenacs celebrates a goal against the Windsor Spitfires on March 6, 2016 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)

Ontario Hockey League Playoffs Round 2: OHL Road to Memorial Cup – Previews & Predictions

Ontario Hockey League Playoffs opening round wrapped up on Tuesday night with three game seven’s. Two of last night’s winners (Barrie and North Bay) have one day off before gearing up to face each other head-to-head in the next round.

OHL Eastern Conference match-ups begin tomorrow (Thursday, April 7th), while Western Conference teams prepare to face-off on Friday.

Ontario Hockey League Playoffs: Round 1 Recap

Eastern Conference

Kingston defeats Oshawa 4-1

More from Puck Prose

Los Angeles Kings prospect Spencer Watson (15 points) and New York Islanders prospect Michael Dal Colle (14 points) dominated the opposition, ranking 1st and 3rd in league scoring with only five games played.

Barrie defeats Mississauga 4-3

Colts were dealt a scare in game six when the Steelheads tied the series at 3-3 with a convincing 7-0 win at home. New Jersey Devils prospect Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 22 of 23 shots en route to a 5-1 Barrie win in game seven. Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane and Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc had a multi-point night, while Justin Scott scored a hat-trick – bringing his round one total to 10 goals, 0 assists in seven games as he continues to light the lamp.

North Bay defeats Peterborough 4-3

46 total goals were scored over this seven game series (6.57/game average), with two contests reaching 12 or more (7-5, 7-6). North Bay’s top forward was Kings prospect Mike Amadio (14pts), while Avalanche prospect Kyle Wood gave an unexpected boost from the blueline (11pts).

Niagara defeats Ottawa 4-1

These two teams matched-up far better than the final result suggests. They played close one or two goal games with the IceDogs edging their competition. Islanders prospect Josh Ho-Sang led Niagara in scoring with two goals, nine assists (11 points), although Pavel Jenys was arguably their round one MVP scoring five goals, adding two assists (seven points). Other notables include Blues prospect Vince Dunn and Coyotes prospect Brendan Perlini.

Western Conference

Erie defeats Saginaw 4-0

This OHL powerhouse (Erie) walked all over the Saginaw Spirit in the opening round. The Otters finished the series with eight players matching/or exceeding a point-per-game pace (four or more). Tied for the lead in scoring with nine points is Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome and 2016 draft-eligible Alex DeBrincat. Leafs prospect Travis Dermott added eight points from the back-end.

Sault Ste. Marie defeats Sarnia 4-3

Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-19
Buffalo Sabres were correct to take Rasmus Dahlin in 2018
Buffalo Sabres were correct to take Rasmus Dahlin in 2018 /

Sabre Noise

  • Colorado Avalanche 2020 class: Where are they now?Mile High Sticking
  • Should New Jersey Devils Protect 1st-Round Pick At All Costs?Pucks and Pitchforks
  • Wheeler: Alexander Holtz "Going to be" 20-Goal PlayerPucks and Pitchforks
  • Philadelphia Flyers: Is Macklin Celebrini Worth Tanking For?Broad Street Buzz
  • Felix Unger Sorum Could Have a Very Interesting Spot In Carolina's FutureCardiac Cane
  • Sarnia was dealt a major blow when they lost Flyers prospect Travis Konecny after only appearing in two games. They fought back valiantly, forcing a game seven after winning game five and six, but fell short on Tuesday night. Knocking off the star-studded cast in Sarnia was a Greyhounds team led by Blake Speers (NJ), Zachary Senyshyn (BOS), Gustav Bouramman (MIN), Boris Katchouk (2016 draft), and Bobby MacIntyre.

    London defeats Owen Sound 4-2

    Familiar faces led the way for London in Matthew Tkachuk (2016 draft), Mitch Marner (TOR), and Christian Dvorak (ARZ). Both Tkachuk and Marner finished the series with 12 points in six games, while Dvorak tallied nine points. The Knights lost top draft eligible prospect Max Jones for 12 games due to suspension, but have plenty of supporting cast that can step up in his absence. One of those players is power forward Cliff Pu, who scored five goals in round one, and is hoping to hear his name in the first three to four rounds in June.

    Kitchener defeats Windsor 4-1

    This way a high-scoring affair with 40 goals in five games (8 goals-per-game average). Kitchener finished with five players above a PPG: Jeremy Bracco (TOR) 10 points, Ryan MacInnis (ARZ) nine points, Brandon Robinson eight points, Adam Mascherin (2016 Draft) eight points.

    More puck prose: NHL Mock Draft 3.5: Rounds 1-7

    Ontario Hockey League Playoffs Round Two: Preview, Predictions

    Eastern Conference

    (begins Thursday, April 7th)

    Embed from Getty Images

    Kingston Frontenacs vs. Niagara IceDogs

    Notable Players:

    Spencer Watson, Kingston (LA) 5gp 15pts
    Michael Dal Colle, Kingston (NYI) 5gp 14pts
    Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara (NYI) 5gp 11pts
    Warren Foegele, Kingston (CAR) – 5gp 9pts
    Roland McKeown, Kingston (CAR) – 5gp 9pts
    Vince Dunn, Niagara (STL) – 5gp 6pts
    Lawson Crouse, Kingston (FLA) – 5gp 6pts
    Stephen Desrocher, Kingston (TOR) – 5gp 4pts
    Juho Lammikko, Kingston (FLA) – 5gp 4pts
    Brendan Perlini, Niagara (ARZ) – 5gp 3pts
    Ryan Mantha, Niagara (NYR) – 5gp 3pts
    Graham Knott, Niagara (CHI) – 5gp 1pt

    Goalies:

    Jeremy Helvig, Kingston – (3-0-0) 2 shutouts 1.62GAA .926 save percentage
    Alex Nedeljkovic, Niagara – (4-1-0) 2.81GAA .884 save percentage

    Prediction:

    Kingston wins series 4-3

    Embed from Getty Images

    Barrie Colts vs. North Bay Battalion

    Notable Players:

    Kevin Labanc, Barrie (SJ) – 7gp 12pts
    Kyle Wood, North Bay (COL) – 7gp 11pts
    Rasmus Andersson, Barrie (CGY) – 7gp 9pts
    Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie (CGY) – 7gp 8pts
    Cam Dineen, North Bay (2016 Draft) – 7gp 7pts
    Julius Nattinen, Barrie (ANA) – 7gp 6pts
    Dylan Sadowy, Barrie (SJ) – 7gp 3pts

    Goalies:

    Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie (NJ) – (2-1-0) 2.85GAA .901 save percentage
    Jake Smith, North Bay – (4-2-1) 2.77GAA .902 save percentage

    Prediction:

    Barrie wins series 4-2

    Western Conference

    Embed from Getty Images

    Erie Otters vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

    Notable Players:

    Dylan Strome, Erie (ARZ) – 4gp 9pts
    Alex DeBrincat, Erie (2016 Draft) – 4gp 9pts
    Travis Dermott, Erie (TOR) – 4gp 8pts
    Blake Speers, SSM (NJ) – 7gp 8pts
    Zachary Senyshyn, SSM (BOS) – 7gp 8pts
    Gustav Bouramman, SSM (MIN) – 7gp 7pts
    Boris Katchouk, SSM (2016 Draft) – 7gp 6pts
    Kyle Maksimovich, Erie (2016 Draft) – 4gp 5pts
    Jake Marchment, Erie (LA) – 4gp 5pts
    Taylor Raddysh, Erie (2016 Draft) – 4gp 4pts
    Erik Cernak, Erie (LA) – 4gp 4pts
    Jack Kopacka, SSM (2016 Draft) – 7gp 2pts

    Goalies:

    Devin Williams, Erie – (3-0-0) 2.48GAA .880 save percentage
    Brandon Halverson, SSM (NYR) – (4-3-0) 3.36GAA .904 save percentage

    Prediction:

    Erie wins series 4-3

    Embed from Getty Images

    London Knights vs. Kitchener Rangers

    Notable Players:

    Matthew Tkachuk, London (2016 Draft) – 6gp 12pts
    Mitch Marner, London (TOR) – 6gp 12pts
    Jeremy Bracco, Kitchener (TOR) – 5gp 10pts
    Ryan MacInnis, Kitchener (ARZ) – 5gp 9pts
    Christian Dvorak, London (ARZ) – 6gp 9pts
    Adam Mascherin, Kitchener (2016 Draft) – 5gp 8pts
    Cliff Pu, London (2016 Draft) – 6gp 6pts
    J.J. Piccinich, London (TOR) – 6gp 4pts
    Olli Juolevi, London (2016 Draft) – 6gp 3pts
    Victor Mete, London (2016 Draft) – 6gp 2pts
    Nick Magyar, Kitchener (COL) – 5gp 1pt

    Goalies:

    Tyler Parsons, London (2016 Draft) – (4-1-1) 2.34GAA .930 save percentage
    Dawson Carty, Kitchener – (4-0-1) 2.77GAA .911 save percentage

    Next: Stepan Falkovsky's Second Half Increases Draft Stock


    Prediction:

    London wins series 4-2

    The 2nd Round of the Ontario Hockey League Playoffs will feature game seven’s on April 18th/19th (if necessary).

    OHL Conference Finals Prediction

    Kingston vs. Barrie (EAST)
    Erie vs. London (WEST)