Eastern Conference Round 1: Kingston Frontenacs (4) vs Hamilton Bulldogs (5)

Other Previews
(1) Peterborough vs (8) Niagara

(2) Mississauga vs (7) Ottawa

(3) Oshawa vs (6) Sudbury

(1) Erie vs (8) Sarnia

(2) Sault Ste. Marie vs (7) Flint

(3) Owen Sound vs (6) Kitchener

(4) London vs (5) Windsor

A battle of Black and Gold proportions as these Eastern Conference Rivals renew playoff acquaintances. Kingston comes into this series after making it to round 2 last season for the first time in ages. Hamilton meanwhile make the playoffs in their 2nd season in Hamilton after moving from Belleville.

Which team will advance as the black and gold champion and who will exit black and blue will be exciting to watch as these are two teams that do not get along.

Players to Watch

Hamilton

Matt Luff:

The offensive catalyst for the Bulldogs this season has battled injuries and Hamilton has struggled to create offence when he isnt healthy. When healthy however he is a point per game player capable of taking over a game offensivly. Hamilton will need him on top of his game against the top team in the league at preventing goals.

Justin Lemke:

Veteran of 200 OHL regular season games with the Belleville/Hamilton franchise. Has rebounded with a solid year for Hamilton after breaking his leg last October that cost him all but 19 games of his 18 year old season. With the play of the Hamilton blueline has failed to live up to expectations this year a strong showing in the playoffs will go a long way towards building momentum heading into next season.

Kingston Frontneacs

Jason Robertson:

The '99 4^th round pick has built on his phenominal rookie season and has turned himself into an elite OHL sniper with (insert goals). He has accounted for (team pertentage of goals) this year and while he will need help to beat Hamilton he will still have to shoulder a significant amount of the load.

Stephen Desrochers:

The Maple Leafs 2015 6^th rounder is one of 3 Leafs '15 draft picks playing in the OHL who have yet to earn a contract from the club. Desrochers will look to build upon his strong year where he set career marks in assists and points as he tries to impress Leafs brass and earn a contract. A vetren of 240 OHL regular season games as well as 42 playoff games which include an OHL championship and Memorial Cup title.

Keys to the Series

Hamilton: Lock down home ice and steal a game in Kingston. The Fronts are a vastly different team at home than on the road. At home they have a positive goal differential and are one of the best teams in the league. On the road they the exact opposite.

Kingston: Prevent Hamiltons fast starts. The Bulldogs have dominated Kingstonin the Opening period this season and with the Fronts lack of fire power they are not built to play catch up.

Season Series

Head to Head Results

Sept 24^th

KGN 2 @ HAM 7

Oct 30^th

HAM 4 @ KGN 2

Dec 3^rd

KGN 3 @ HAM 2 SO

Jan 21^st

KGN 0 @ Ham 2

Feb 26^th

HAM 1 @ KGN 3

Mar 17^th

HAM 3 @ KGN 5

Other Series Previews

From @DominicTiano is his Playoff preview for all 8 series

From @NaitSayger comes his OHL playoff preview for SportsNet

Predictions

Kingston in 7. I know what you are thinking "What kind of idiot would pick Kingston to win a playoff series" Well I am sure people felt the same way when I picked Peterborough to win the division. This will be a close series but Kingston is such a different animal on home ice that getting home ice advantage should be enough to swing it in their favour. Also after being a Bulldogs season ticket holder this year I am just not sold on this team.