We saw a lot of prospects seasons come to an end last week, but there are still five players in the post-season races in the OHL and WHL.

Ontario Hockey League
#11 - Mac Hollowell (D)
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Won round one series vs Owen Sound Attack 4-1
Game 1 - Loss - 4-3 Overtime - 1G, 0A, +1
Game 2 - Win - 6-3 - 0G, 1A, +1
Game 3 - Win - 5-2 - No Points
Game 4 - Win - 5-2 - 0G, 1A, -1
Game 5 - Win - 7-4 - 0G, 1A, +3

The Greyhounds were one goal away from a sweep, but a win in five games is almost as good. The Attack gave the Soo a scare in game one and woke the team up - after game one the Greyhounds won every game by three goals.

Sault Ste. Marie will now be the road team in round two, taking on the division-winning Saginaw Spirit. Both of these teams finished the season with 96 points, but the Spirit had 45 wins to the Soo’s 44. This will be a great series to watch in round two.

Round two vs Saginaw Spirit
Game 1 - Away - Fri. April 5th
Game 2 - Away - Sun. April 7th
Game 3 - Home - Tues. April 9th
Game 4 - Home - Thurs. April 11th
Game 5 - Away - Fri. April 12th
Game 6 - Home - Sun April 14th
Game 7 - Away - Tues. April 16th

#29 - Fedor Gordeev (D)
Guelph Storm

Swept round 1 series vs Kitchener Rangers
Game 1 - Win - 4-2 - 0G, 0A, -1
Game 2 - Win - 7-0 - 1G, 0A, +3
Game 3 - Win - 6-3 - 0G, 0A, +1
Game 4 - Win - 5-1 - No points

An easy series win for the Storm. who now get a much bigger challenge in round two. Guelph won the round with ease, holding the lead for all but one minute the four game series and producing a perfect penalty kill - the Kitchener Rangers went 0/11 on the power play.

A much stronger opponent waits for them now. The London Knights finished second overall in the OHL, and first in the Western Conference. The Storm can feel confident coming into this series as they beat London 4-1-0-1 in the regular season series between the two teams, and scored more goals than the Knights.

Round two vs London Knights
Game 1 - Away - Fri. April 5th
Game 2 - Away - Sun. April 7th
Game 3 - Home - Mon. April 8th
Game 4 - Home - Wed. April 10th
Game 5 - Away - Fri. April 12th
Game 6 - Home - Sat. April 13th
Game 7 - Away - Tues. April 16th

#19 - Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (C)
Peterborough Petes

Lost round 1 series vs Oshawa Generals 4-1
Game 1 - Loss - 7-0 - 0G, 0A, -2
Game 2 - Loss - 8-2 - 0G, 2A, -3
Game 3 - Win - 3-2 - 0G, 1A, +1
Game 4 - Loss - 5-2 - No points
Game 5 - Loss 4-2 - 0G, 0A, -1

The Petes weren’t expected to last even five games in this series, but the home crowd got a win to watch and the Generals got one more date for themselves, so everybody won. Except Peterborough.

SDA didn’t have a great playoffs, but the Marlies invited him to play for the remainder of this season anyway.

#19 - Ryan McGregor (F)
Sarnia Sting

Swept in round one: vs Saginaw Spirit
Game 1 - Loss - 6-3 - 0G, 0A, -3
Game 2 - Loss - 5-3 - No Points
Game 3 - Loss - 6-1 - 0G, 0A, -2
Game 4 - Loss 5-4 OT - 2G, 0A, -1

Despite a strong fight in game four, Ryan McGregor and the Sarnia Sting were swept in round one by a strong Saginaw Spirit team. McGregor has signed an ATO with the Toronto Marlies and made his AHL debut on Saturday night.

Western Hockey League

#18 - Riley Stotts (C)
Calgary Hitmen

Defeatd Lethbridge Hurricanes in round one 4-3
Game 1 - Loss - 3-2 Overtime - 0G, 0A, +1
Game 2 - Loss - 4-1 - No Points
Game 3 - Win - 5-3 - 0G, 1A
Game 4 - Win - 5-2 - 1G, 2A, +1
Game 5 - Win - 6-5 - 0G, 1A, -1
Game 6 - Loss - 7-6 - 0G, 1A
Game 7 - Win - 4-2 - 0G, 0A, -1

The series ended up being played in a rink without seats for games five and seven, as the World Curling Championship took over the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge.

Kyle Dubas was reportedly at game four, which was the best night for Riley Stotts in the series. Whether it was luck or the Leafs being in the arena motivated him, it worked. He should have stuck around for game six, as the HItmen gave up the lead with 30 seconds left before losing in the first 15 seconds of overtime.

That would be the theme as the Hitmen went up 3-0 in game seven only to see Lethbridge score two straight to almost win the game. The Hitmen would score a safety foal in the third period and win the series in seven games.

Calgary will now play their rival Edmonton Oil Kings in the second round of the playoffs.

#18 - Filip Kral (D)
Spokane Chiefs

Won round one series vs Portland Winterhawks 4-1
Game 1 - Win - 5-2 - 0G, 0A, +1
Game 2 - Loss - 5-3 - 0G, 0A, -1
Game 3 - Win - 5-4 OT - 0G, 1A
Game 4 - Win - 4-3 OT - No Points
Game 5 - Win 4-1 - 0G, 0A, +3

A quick series for Spokane gives them some extra days to rest before round two. It featured big wins, a big loss and two overtimes. Kral had a good defensive series, though his offensive game could use some points

Round two for the Chiefs sees them travelling to Everett to play the SIlvertips this weekend.

Game 1 - Away: Sat. April 6th
Game 2 - Home: Wed. April 10th
Game 3 - Home: Fri. April 12th
Game 4 - Home: Sat. April 13th
Game 5 - Away: Mon. April 15th
Game 6 - Away: Wed. April 17th
Game 7 - Away: Thurs. April 19th

The odd 1-3-3 format in this series is due to the Everett arena being filled with Cirque de Soleil for a week.

#33 - Ian Scott (G)
Prince Albert Raiders

Swept round one vs WC#2 Red Deer Rebels
Game 1 - Win - 3-0 - 21sv, 21sh, 1.000sv%
Game 2 - Win - 6-4 - 19sv, 23sh, .826sv%
Game 3 - Win - 4-2 - 14sv, 16sh, .875sv%
Game 4 - Win - 4-1 - 21sv, 22sh, .955sv%

The Raiders easily tossed aside the Rebels in round one. Scott had one shutout and put up a .915sv% in the series. Now they’ll face off against Saskatoon Blades in round two. Since the WHL follows the NHL playoff format, first overall Prince Albert will now play the fourth overall team.

On the bright side, once the Raiders get past the Blades it’ll be an easier conference finals. Hopefully.

Round two vs Saskatoon Blades
Game 1 - Home: Fri. April 5th
Game 2 - Home: Sun. April 7th
Game 3 - Away: Tues. April 9th
Game 4 - Away: Wed. April 10th
Game 5 - Home: Fri. April 12th
Game 6 - Away: Sun. April 14th
Game 7 - Home: Tues. April 16th

USHL

#14 - JD Greenway (D)
Dubuque Fighting Saints

There are four games left in the USHL regular season, and the Fighting Saints are going to get in. Right now they have the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, most likely finishing behind Team USA in that spot as there is an eight point gap between fifth and sixth place.

In the USHL the top two teams in each conference get a bye to round two, but there is a close race between Youngstown, Cedar Rapids, and Chicago for that spot. Whichever team finishes in third place will be the Fighting Saints opponent.

NCAA

#8 - Dakota Joshua (F) / Ryan O’Connell (D)
Ohio State Buckeyes

NCAA Quarter-Finals
Lost 2-0 vs Denver

The season is now over for O’Connell and Joshua as the Buckeyes were blanked in the NCAA quarter-finals. Dakota Joshua played his final game for Ohio State. For him it’s the waiting game now to see if the Leafs make an offer before the August 15th deadline.

Ryan O’Connell’s rookie season ends with one goal and one assist in 30 games. Better luck next year, eh?

Previously eliminated prospects

#33 - Zachary Bouthillier (G) - Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL

Signed a contract with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers for the remainder of the season.

Maple Leafs draft pick Zachary Bouthillier signs with the Growlers

#31 - Joseph Woll (G) - Boston College, NCAA

He’s left school and signed a contract to start next season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Joseph Woll to Entry-Level Contract

Maple Leafs Prospects