The CHL playoffs began just as the NCAA tournament was winding down. It’s been a great week for hockey, so let’s get into it!
In the OHL, all of the series are going in our prospects’ favor. The Petes are up 2-0 over the Niagara IceDogs, and tonight’s game three is being shown nationally in Canada on Sportsnet, but I can’t find any proper way to watch it in the US aside from OHL Live. I have a strong feeling we won’t see Jonne Tammela on the ice this year. When I spoke with the Petes’ coach earlier this season it was all very vague. He’s working hard towards next year.
The London Knights (Mitchell Stephens) are tied with the Spitfires, and this series is one to watch for sure. There’s lots of hatred between the front offices of these franchises. Here’s Windsor’s coach post-game, saying “they invented diving in London”:
POSTGAME VIDEO: Rocky didn’t hold back in his assessment of today’s 5-2 Game Two loss in London. pic.twitter.com/8HFEFu3Z2q
— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) March 26, 2017
It’s such deep hatred that the arena staff in London got involved:
Now some Bud Gardens arena workers getting into it with some Spits staff.
— Charlie Clarke (@charliejclarke) March 26, 2017
The fireworks will keep going off the longer this series lasts.
Speaking of going off, Boris Katchouk and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds got a gift after the Flint Firebirds leading scorer and best player Ryan Moore was handed a 5 game suspension for using a homophobic slur in game two. Moore won’t play again this season unless the Firebirds upset the Greyhounds, which is unlikely to happen now.
Finally in the OHL the Bolt-filled Erie Otters are systematically destroying everything the Sarnia Sting know and love. Winning games one and two by a combined 15-6 they’re showing no mercy against the eighth-seeded Sting.
In the Quebec league the Halifax Mooseheads are without Tampa prospect Otto Somppi, who suffered a shoulder injury just as the playoffs were starting. They were able to surprise everyone by winning game one against the defending QMJHL Champions and 2016 Memorial Cup runners-up Rouyn-Noranda. That series is tied at one.
Shawinigan and Denis Yan are tied at one as well, and the Saint John Sea Dogs are cruising through their series versus Rimouski and lead 2-0.
In the WHL Brett Howden and Moose Jaw are fighting a close series against Swift Current, that series is tied at one, and Connor Ingram is putting up excellent numbers for Kamloops but the offense can’t overpower the Kewlona Rockets.
None of the Lightning’s NCAA prospects made the Frozen Four tournament in Chicago this year, and should all return to school in the fall for another year. Unless they want Achariya coming after them for not finishing school. Beware the blog mom. [Damned straight. – Acha]
Ontario Hockey League
Matthew Spencer (D) / Christopher Paquette (F) / Jonne Tammela (F)
1G, 1A, +5 / 0G, 1A, +2 / Did Not Play
Peterborough Petes
Lead series vs Niagara IceDogs: 2-0
March 23: Home
W 5-2 – 0G, 1A, +3 / 0G, 1A, +2 / Did Not Play
March 25: Home
W 6-3 – 1G, 0A, +2 / No Points / Did Not Play
Mitchell Stephens (F) – 2G, 0A
London Knights
Series vs Windsor Spitfires tied 1-1
March 24: Home
L 4-3 OT – 1G, 0A
March 26: Home
W 5-2 – 1G, 0A
Taylor Raddysh (F) / Anthony Cirelli (F) / Eric Cernak (D)
2G, 3A, +5 / 3G, 2A, +2 / 1G, 1A, +6
Erie Otters
Lead series vs Sarnia Sting: 2-0
March 23: Home
W 6-3 – 1G, 1A, +2 / 1G, 1A, +1 / 0G, 1A, +3
March 25: Home
W 9-3 – 1G, 2A, +3 / 2G, 1A, +1 / 1G, 0A, +3
Boris Katchouk (F) – 2G, 2A, +1
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Series vs Flint Firebirds tied 1-1
March 23: Home
W 5-2 – 1G, 1A, +2
March 25: Home
L 6-3 – 1G, 1A, -1
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Otto Somppi (F) – Did Not Play
Halifax Mooseheads
Series vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies tied 1-1
March 24: Away
W 5-4 – Did Not Play
March 25: Away
L 3-2 OT – Did Not Play
Dennis Yan (F) – 0G, 1A, -2
Shawinigan Cataractes
Series vs Val d’Or Foreurs tied 1-1
March 24: Home
L 5-2 – 0G, 1A, -2
March 25: Home
W 3-0 – No Points
Mathieu Joseph (F) / Bokondji Imama (F)
3G, 0A, +4 / 1G, 1A, +2
Saint John Sea Dogs
Lead series vs Rimouski Oceanic 2-0
March 24: Home
W 9-2 – 2G, 0A, +3 / 0G, 0A, +1
March 25: Home
W 4-1 – 1G,0A, +1 / 1G, 1A, +1
Western Hockey League
Brett Howden (F) – 0G, 0A, -2
Moose Jaw Warriors
Series vs Swift Current Broncos tied 1-1
March 24: Home
L 2-0 – 0G, 0A, -2
March 25: Home
W 3-2 – No Points
Connor Ingram (G) – 78sv, 85sh, 0.918sv%
Kamloops Blazers
Trail series vs Kelowna Rockets 0-2
March 24: Away
L 4-0 – 44sv, 48sh, .917sv%
March 25: Away
L 3-2 – 34sv, 37sh, .919sv%
NCAA
Ryan Zuhlsdorf (D) – No Points
U. Minnesota Golden Gophers
March 25: vs Notre Dame
L 3-2 – No Points
Johnathan MacLeod (D) – 0G, 0A, -1
Boston U. Terriers
March 24: vs North Dakota
W 4-3 2OT – 0G, 0A, -1
March 26: vs U.Minn-Duluth
L 3-2 OT – No Points
Ryan Lohin (F) – 2G, 1A, +1
U. Mass-Lowell River Hawks
March 25: vs Cornell
W 5-0 – 2G, 0A, +1
March 26: vs Notre Dame
L 3-2 OT – 0G, 1A
Completed Seasons:
Libor Hajek (D) – Saskatoon Blades
Hajek is now playing with the Syracuse Crunch.
Kris Oldham (G) – U. Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks
Ross Colton (F) – U. Vermont Catamounts
Ryan Zuhlsdorf (D) – U. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Johnathan MacLeod (D) – Boston U. Terriers
Ryan Lohin (F) – U. Mass-Lowell River Hawks
