Western Conference
(1) London Knights vs (4) Guelph Storm
Schedule
1. Fri Apr 05 @ LDN
2. Sun Apr 07 @LDN
3. Mon Apr 08 @ GUE
4. Wed Apr 10 @ GUE
5. Fri Apr 12 @LDN
6 *. Sat Apr 13 @ GUE
7. Tue Apr 16 @LDN
Reason to be optimistic
London
They are the London Knights and they are playing Guelph
Guelph
Handily defeated the Rangers in round 1 and the players the team they assembled at the deadline seems to be finally coming together.
Reason for concern
London
50% (10/20) of their goals in round came from defencemen. That in itself isn't much cause for concern but the lack of production from the forward group is. They will need more from them if they are to avoid an upset at the hands of Guelph
Guelph
Out of the remaining starting goalies in the playoffs Popovich was the only one to have a sub .900 save percentage in the regular season. He was stellar against Kitchener but can he keep it up against teams that have talented players?
Prediction
London in 5
(2) Saginaw Spirit vs (3) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Schedule
1. Fri Apr 05 @ SAG
2. Sun Apr 07 @ SAG
3. Tue Apr 09 @ SSM
4. Thu Apr 11 @ SSM
5. Fri Apr 12 @ SAG
6. Sun Apr 14 @ SSM
7. Tue Apr 16 @ SAG
Reason to be optimistic
Saginaw
Coming off of their first playoff series win since 2012 and their first opening round sweep since 2009
Sault Ste. Marie
They are the most experienced team in the playoffs and Matthew Villalta had his best 4 game stretch in the playoffs in his career to start the series against Owen Sound.
Reason for Concern
Saginaw
The Spirit have lost 13 straight playoff games to the Greyhounds and are 2-16 in their last 4 series.
Sault Ste. Marie
In round 1 the Greyhounds gave up 2 goals to Owen Sound OA forward Zack Poirier. Giving up 2 goals to a player like Poirier can fracture the psyche of a team.
Prediction
Saginaw in 7
Eastern Conference
(1) Ottawa 67s vs (4) Sudbury Wolves
Schedule
1. Fri Apr 05 @ OTT
2. Sun Apr 07 @ OTT
3. Tue Apr 09 @ SBY
4. Thu Apr 11 @ SBY
5. Sat Apr 13 @ OTT
6. Mon Apr 15 @ SBY
7. Tue Apr 16 @ OTT
Reason to be optimistic
Ottawa
Arguably the deepest team top to bottom in the OHL. Sudbury will have a difficult time matching their depth
Sudbury
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has already bested Michael DiPietro once this year in a quarter final match up and would anybody be truly surprised if he did it again?
Reason for concern
Ottawa
While they dominated on special teams against Hamilton the play was a lot closer 5 on 5. Luukkonen had the highest short handed save percentage in the league during the regular season so Ottawa cant expect to feast on PP opportunities.
Sudbury
The Wolves have not made it past the 2nd round since 06-07 and have lost their last 8 2nd round match ups with both series ending in sweeps.
Prediction
Ottawa in 6
(2) Niagara Icedogs vs (3) Oshawa Generals
Schedule
1. Fri Apr 05 @ NIA
2. Sun Apr 07 @ NIA
3. Tue Apr 09 @ OSH
4. Thu Apr 11 @ OSH
5. Sat Apr 13 @ NIA
6. Mon Apr 15 @ OSH
7. Tue Apr 16 @ NIA
Reason to be optimistic
Niagara
The Icedogs are one of the better diving teams in the OHL. The led the league in power plays in the regular season and averaged over 5 a game in round 1 against North Bay.
Oshawa
7 different players scored more than 2 goals in the opening round. They have multiple lines clicking right now and the types of players who could make life difficult for Robertson and Thomas.
Reason for concern
Niagara
During the regular season Stephen Dhillon had the worst save percentage in the league 4vs5 among playoff starters with a .823 save percentage. Kyle Keyser had the 3rd highest at .908. In fact when Keyser was in net the Generals penalty kill was over 7% more successful.
Oshawa
The last 2 starting goalies to win an OHL title are Kaden Fulcher and Troy Timpano. Depth and talent in the forward group and on the blueline have gone a lot farther recently in the OHL playoffs and is an area where Niagara has quite the edge.
Prediction
Niagara in7
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