Western Conference Round 1: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (2) vs Flint Firebirds (7)

Other Previews

Erie (1) vs Sarnia (8)

Owen Sound (3) vs Kitchener (6)

London (4) vs Windsor (5)

Peterborough (1) vs Niagara (8)

Mississauga (2) vs Ottawa (7)

Oshawa (3) vs Sudbury (6)

Kingston (4) vs Hamilton (5)

This is the first playoff appearance for the Firebirds franchise since they have moved to Flint. These two organizations have a long playoff history from Flints time in Plymouth. The last time these division rivals met in the playoffs was '09-'10 when Plymouth knocked off the Hounds in 5 games in an opening round 4vs5 match up.

This season the series has been heated and interesting with the road team winning all matches and the Firebirds have yet to hold a lead after 40 minutes. Kole Sherwood was also given a 3 game suspension earlier in the season for a grotesquely viscous crosscheck at the end of the game on January 20th. 

Players to Watch

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Hayden Verbeek: Finished 2^nd as hardest worker in the Western Conference in the OHL coaches poll. Can cause series match problems for opposing teams bottom 6 with his speed and relentless forecheck. Unsung hero of this Greyhounds team.

Bobby MacIntyre: Finished 3^rd as the most underrated player in the Western Conference in the OHL coaches poll. Took his game to another level in the playoffs last year. His game has started to take off again in March and will be looking to carry that into Round 1.

Flint Firebirds

Kole Sherwood: Finished 3^rd in the Best Shot category in the OHL coaches poll among Western Conference skaters. Has OHL championship experience from last season with London. Will be leaned on against the Greyhounds.

Mathieu Henderson: OA defenceman has had a career year as his Points per Game has jumped from .53 to .79. With 264 career games he helps form the backbone of the young Flint defense with fellow OA Alex Peters. Their leadership in the first round will be paramount for the Firebirds.

Keys to the Series

Greyhounds: Close the games out. Sault Ste. Marie was outscored 10-6 in the 3^rd period. If you takeout the 3 goal 3^rd in their 5-0 win on November 5^th then the Hounds were outscored 10-3 in the final period. The Greyhounds never trailed after 2 periods against Flint this season so taking care of the 3^rd period will go a long way in helping them win what should be a very winnable series.

Firebirds: Flint will need to be disciplined and not give the Hounds extra chances on special teams. Flint will also need to find more balance in their attack as Caamano, Moore and Sherwood accounted for 60% of the teams goals during the season series.

Season Series

Oct 21^st

Flint 4 @ SSM 3 OT

Nov 5^th

SSM 5 @ Flint 3

Dec 28^th

SSM 5 @ Flint 0

Jan 18^th

Flint 5 @ SSM 4 SO

Jan 20^th

SSM 5 @ Flint 4

Feb 11^th

Flint 5 @ SSM 3

Other Series Previews

From @DominicTiano is his Playoff preview for all 8 series

From @NaitSayger comes his OHL playoff preview for SportsNet

Prediction

Sault Ste. Marie in 4. Greyhounds have too much depth and Flint lacks the goaltending needed to steal a series. I expect the Hounds to keep the puck away for the Firebirds and shutdown their top line. While I wont deny I am a big fan of some of the young talent on Flint I just can't see them pulling this one out.