OHL Western Conference Semi-Final Preview

 

The Western Conference Semi-Finals are set as four teams get ready to face off in the second round of the 2022 OHL Playoffs.

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WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS:

(1) Windsor Spitfires (44-17-4-3) vs. (7) Kitchener Rangers (30-31-5-2) #WSRvsKIT

The Kitchener Rangers come off the high of Wednesday’s Game 7 overtime triumph in London, and will have to compose themselves quickly for puck drop in Windsor on Saturday.

The seventh-seeded Rangers knocked off the second-seeded rival London Knights on Mike Petizian‘s overtime winner Wednesday night. The Rangers had contributions from both of their netminders in the series against London, with Pavel Cajan coming in for 51 saves in Game 7 after rookie Jackson Parsons proved capable in the middle of the series. Each recording eight points in first round action, Los Angeles Kings prospect Francesco Pinelli (3-5-8), Joseph Serpa (3-5-8) and Reid Valade (2-6-8) have all been at the forefront for Kitchener while Mitchell Martin (4-3–7) has also been a factor. Petizian and Martin both scored five times against Windsor in their eight encounters against the Spits this season.

The West Division champion Spitfires come off a dominating regular season performance, clinching the West Division with 44 wins on the season (44-17-4-3). Windsor defeated their rival Sarnia in the first round, taking the series 4-2 to advance beyond the first round of the OHL Playoffs for the first time since 2011. The OHL’s regular season scoring leader Wyatt Johnston continues to remain hot, leading the Spits with seven playoff points (2-5-7), while New York Rangers prospect Will Cuylle (5-1-6) follows closely in his footsteps, recording five goals and one assist.

The Spitfires have been a great team with the lead this season, and didn’t lose in regulation when leading after two periods as they played to a mark of 32-0-1-1. They also outshot opponents in 50 of their 68 games as compared to Kitchener, who was outshot in 53 of 68.

Though Windsor’s regular season record proved much stronger than the Rangers, both teams tied the season series at four wins apiece. Those who wrote Kitchener off headed into their series against London may wish to reconsider how quickly they count the Rangers out this time around.

Season Series:
Series tied 4-4
Oct. 22 – WSR 2 at KIT 3 (SO)
Oct. 30 – KIT 6 at WSR 3
Dec. 11 – KIT 1 at WSR 2
Dec. 28 – WSR 3 at KIT 6
Jan. 21 – WSR 2 at KIT 4
Feb. 24 – KIT 5 at WSR 6
Mar. 22 – KIT 5 at WSR 7
Apr. 1 – WSR 5 at KIT 3

Playoff History:
This will be Kitchener and Windsor’s ninth meeting in the OHL Playoffs.
– 2016 KIT def. WSR 4-1 – 1st round / 2010 WSR def. KIT 4-3 – West Final / 1992 – KIT def. WSR 4-3 – 1st round / 1988 WSR def. KIT 4-0 – 1st round / 1986 WSR def. KIT 8-6 pts. – 1st round / 1982 KIT def. WSR 8-0 pts. – 2nd round / 1981 KIT def. WSR 9-1 pts. – Emms Division Finals / 1977 WSR def. KIT 3-0 – 2nd round.  (*1999 – Windsor def. Kitchener 2-1 in one game Playoff Tie-Breaker)

Series Schedule:
Game 1, Sat., May 7 at Windsor, 7:05pm
Game 2, Sun., May 8 at Windsor, 7:05pm
Game 3, Tues., May 10 at Kitchener, 7:00pm
Game 4, Thurs., May 12 at Kitchener, 7:00pm
Game 5, Sat., May 14 at Windsor, 7:05pm*
Game 6, Mon., May 16 at Kitchener, 7:00pm*
Game 7, Tues., May 17 at Windsor, 7:05pm*

*if necessary

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(3) Flint Firebirds (42-21-1-4) vs. (4) Soo Greyhounds (39-22-6-1) #FLNTvsSOO

A 3/4 battle, the Soo Greyhounds will travel across the border to Flint as they take on the Firebirds in the second round of the OHL Playoffs. The series begins on Friday night at 7:00pm ET.

The Firebirds defeated the Owen Sound Attack 4-2 in an action-packed Game 7 on Wednesday night as they took home the first round series. Luke Cavallin posted 34 saves on 36 shots for his fourth playoff victory, while New York Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann (4-1-5) scored the game-winning goal. The win marked the franchise’s first ever playoff series victory. Amadeus Lombardi leads the Firebirds in playoff points with four goals and four assists (4-4-8), while Vancouver Canucks prospect Ethan Keppen has also proven reliable, recording four goals and three assists (4-3-7) as he looks to clinch the Cup in his final year.

One injury of note for the Firebirds includes veteran blueliner Tyler Deline who missed Games 6 and 7 of the first round. The 19-year-old was a valuable piece on the back end during the regular season with 38 points (7-31–38) over 61 games. The Firebirds are hopeful they’ll see him in this series.

The Greyhounds are well-rested after defeating the Guelph Storm 4-1 in the opening round. The Soo blue line has been a strength throughout the season and into the playoffs as Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jack Thompson recorded three goals and six assists in the opening round (3-6-9), while Minnesota Wild draftee Ryan O’Rourke trails closely behind with eight points (1-7-8). Netminder Tucker Tynan was stellar against Guelph, leading the League with a 1.44 goals against average and .952 save percentage. Tynan will be out of the lineup serving a suspension for Games 1 and 2 of the series, meaning Samuel Ivanov will start for the Greyhounds on the road to kick things off.

The Hounds finished third in the OHL in goals scored this past season, and will continue to depend on the veteran trio of Rory Kerins, Tye Kartye and Cole MacKay who scored a combined 116 between the three of them.

The special teams battle should be one to keep an eye on as the Greyhounds lead the OHL on the power play during the season, operating at 28.4 percent. Flint’s penalty kill was the best in the League, sitting at 84.2 percent.

Season Series:
Sault Ste. Marie wins 2-2-0-1
Jan. 28 – FLNT 5 at SOO 4
Feb. 16 – FLNT 1 at SOO 2 (SO)
Mar. 18 – SOO 8 at FLNT 7 (SO)
Apr. 15 – SOO 6 at FLNT 3
Apr. 16 – SOO 4 at FLNT 6

Playoff History:
This marks the second time that Flint and Sault Ste. Marie have met in the OHL Playoffs.
– 2017 SOO def. FLNT 4-1 – 1st round

Series Schedule:
Game 1, Fri., May 6 at Flint, 7:00pm
Game 2, Sun., May 8 at Flint, 4:00pm
Game 3, Tues., May 10 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07pm
Game 4, Thurs, May 12 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07pm
Game 5, Sat., May 14 at Flint, 7:00pm*
Game 6, Mon., May 16 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07pm*
Game 7, Wed., May 18 at Flint, 7:00pm*

*if necessary

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