The OHL Western Conference Semi-Final matchups have been determined with Sault Ste. Marie visiting Flint to kick off round two.
If you’re feeling like it’s been ages since the Soo Greyhounds played a hockey game, you aren’t alone.
The Greyhounds wrapped up their quarter-final series with the Guelph Storm only five days ago but in terms of playoff hockey, those five days have felt more like five weeks.
Last night, however, all of that changed, as the four teams needing to finish their series finally did so with seven possible semi-final matchups on the line pending their outcomes.
The Kitchener Rangers and Flint Firebirds emerged the victors and the OHL Western Conference Semi-Finals will begin on Friday, May 6.
Firebirds v Greyhounds
If there was a playoff matchup to circle on your calendars, this one is it.
Even though both teams were very evenly matched in the regular season standings, it was the Greyhounds who came out with a slight advantage, winning three of their five games against the Firebirds this year.
Yes, two of those three wins came via the shootout but the Hounds did manage to double-up 6 to 3 on the Firebirds in their second last meeting of the season.
Key Players – Flint
While regular season numbers don’t mean much come playoff time, it’s important to highlight some of the players who fans can expect to impose their will on this second-round series.
For the Firebirds, the trio of Brennan Othmann (50 G | 47 A | 97 PTS), Amadeus Lombardi (18 G | 41 A | 59 PTS), and Riley Piercey (27 G | 31 A | 58 PTS) led the team in scoring during the regular season. With a combined 214 points, this trio was an offensive juggernaut for the Firebirds.
Their playoff run hasn’t been much different either as Othmann (4 G | 1 A | 5 PTS) and Lombardi (4 G | 4 A | 8 PTS) are atop the Firebirds leading scorers, although they’re joined by LW Ethan Keppen (4 G | 3 A | 7 PTS) instead of Piercey who has three points in seven games.
It’s imperative that the Greyhounds limit the scoring opportunities of Othmann without letting some of the other Firebirds’ goal scorers to get ahead either.
Key Players – Sault Ste Marie
Much like the Firebirds, the Greyhounds saw tons of offensive success throughout their regular season campaign.
The Greyhounds trio of Rory Kerins (43 G | 75 A | 118 PTS), Tye Kartye (45 G | 34 A | 79 PTS), and Cole MacKay (28 G | 47 A | 75 PTS) combined for 272 regular season points, with Kerins averaging almost two points per game all season.
So far this post season though, it’s been Greyhounds’ D-men Jack Thompson (3 G | 6 A | 9 PTS) and Ryan O’Rourke (1 G | 7 A | 8 PTS) who have had the greatest impacts. Kartye (5 G | 2 A | 7 PTS) also joins them atop the Hounds leaders in playoff scoring.
Honourable Mentions – Both Teams
Goaltender Tucker Tynan (SOO) will be serving the final two games of his three-game suspension from last series against the Guelph Storm with Samuel Ivanov filling in for him between the pipes. Prior to his suspension, Tynan had a 1.44 GAA and 0.925 SV% for the Hounds.
Ivanov came into game four and was given sole goaltending duties in the Greyhounds decisive game five victory over the Storm. He’s got a 2.34 GAA and 0.911 SV% in his two games played.
Firebirds’ goaltender Luke Cavallin has played all of the team’s seven games so far. He’s allowed 17 goals in seven games played and has a 2.44 GAA and 0.926 SV% going into the semi-finals.
Two goal-getters for the Greyhounds are also worth mentioning are left winger Tyler Savard and rookie centreman Bryce McConnell-Barker. With four points each they are closing in on Kartye for that third spot amongst point producers these playoffs.
Look for both forwards to be difference makers this series.
Andrew Stuetz