Today, instead of complaining about a lack of highlights (though, I mean, come on guys), we’re going to look at the playoff picture. At most these players are on month away and it’s getting to be crunch time, some are already eliminated and dreaming of ATO’s.
Ontario Hockey League
The OHL uses the ol dNHL style playoffs. 1-8 seeds for each conference, division winners seeded #1/2.
#77 - Eemeli Räsänen (D) - 0G, 1A, +5
Kingston Frontenacs - 29-16-5-3
3rd in OHL Eastern Conference, 8 points out of 1st.
Feb. 7th: @ Oshawa Generals
W 5-3 - 0G, 1A, +3
Feb. 9th: vs Owen Sound Attack
L 4-3 OT - 0G, 0A, +1
Feb. 11th: vs North Bay Battalion
W 3-2 - 0G 0A, +1
The Frontenacs loaded up at the OHL trade deadline hoping to take first in the east, but the Bulldogs did the same and the two teams are fighting for that top spot. The Fronts are in the playoffs, not officially yet, but they have the power to do some damage. Kingston is looking to get past the second round for the first time since 1993, after losing in the second round the past two seasons.
#55 - Keaton Middleton (D) - 0G, 0A, -1
Saginaw Spirit - 25-19-8-0
6th in OHL Western Conference, 35 points out of 1st.
Feb. 9th: @ Guelph Storm
L 4-3 OT - 0G, 0A, -1
Feb. 10th: vs Windsor Spitfires
L 3-2 OT - No Points
The Spirit should make the playoffs after missing last year. Saginaw has never made it past the second round of the playoffs in the 20 years since moving from North Bay. Right now they would play the Sarnia Spirit, which would mean a quick first round exit. Maybe next year.
#15 - Fedor Gordeev (D) - 0G, 2A, -4
Flint Firebirds - 16-32-3-2
10th in OHL Western Conference, 27 points out of a playoff spot.
Feb. 8th: @ North Bay Battalion
L 4-3 SO - 0G, 0A, -2
Feb. 9th: @ Sudbury Wolves
L 6-3 - 0G, 1A, -1
Feb. 10th: @ Barrie Colts
L 4-3 - 0G, 1A, -1
The Firebirds are done. The only question is could we see Gordeev on an ATO with the Marlies in March?
#19 - Ryan McGregor (F) - 0G, 1A
Sarnia Sting - 38-12-4-0
3rd in OHL Western Conference, 13 points out of 1st.
Feb. 10th: vs Niagara IceDogs
W 5-4 OT - No Points
Feb. 11th: vs Sudbury Wolves
W 5-4 - 0G, 1A
Sarnia came out strong on the season and are settling nicely into the Greyhounds shadow. We should see a Sarnia - Soo conference final barring any upsets. And hey, look at that Ryan McGregor is back and playing!
#52 - Nicolas Mattinen (D) - 0G, 2A, +1
Hamilton Bulldogs - 34-14-3-3
1st in OHL Eastern Conference, 8 point lead.
Feb. 8th: vs Barrie Colts
L 5-1 - 0G, 0A, -2
Feb. 10th: vs Kitchener Rangers
L 4-3 - 0G, 1A
Feb. 11th: vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
W 5-2 - 0G, 1A, +3
The Bulldogs are going to compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup this year, and are hoping for revenge against the Frontenacs for eliminating the Bulldogs in the first round of last years playoffs. On paper everyone is just fodder for the Greyhounds, but the Bulldogs are hoping to play upset in their third season in Steeltown.
Western Hockey League
The WHL mirrors the NHL playoff scenario.
#33 - Ian Scott (G) - 68sh, 54sv, .794sv%
Prince Albert Raiders - 22-23-9-2
4 points away from last Eastern Conference wild card.
Feb. 7th: vs Kootenay Ice
W 4-3 - 23sh, 20sv, .870
Feb. 9th: @ Swift Current Broncos
L 5-1 - Did Not Play
Feb. 10th: @ Saskatoon Blades
L 6-3 - 29sh, 23sv, .793sv%
Feb. 11th: vs Swift Current Broncos
L 6-5 - 16sh, 11sv, .688 (Pulled after 31:36)
The Raiders need to step up their game if they want to make the playoffs. They’ve been hovering around that final wild card play off spot.
Junior A
#24 - Ryan O'Connell (D) - Injured
Penticton Vees, BCHL - 35-11-2-3
The Vees are at the top of the standings for the Interior division.
The BCHL playoffs are as follows: The top two teams from the Interior Division get a bye to the second round. The first round is composed of the remaining Interior Division teams, and the top four teams from the other two divisions, Island and Mainland. They mash all those up and play games and there are four rounds total and then someone wins, hurrah.
Right now the Vees are first in the Interior so they have a bye to the second round.
O’Connell sat out the games recovering from inury.
NCAA
#13 - Nolan Vesey (F)
Maine Black Bears
Overall: 15-11-4 / Conference: 9-8-3
Maine is tied with U. Connecticut for 5th in Hockey East.
Feb. 9th: @ Providence
L 3-2 - No Points
For the past five season the Black Bears have been eliminated in the first round of Hockey East playoffs. This year is their best season in during Vesey’s time there and is the Black Bears best chance to advance past round one.
#14 - JD Greenway (D)
Wisconsin Badgers
Overall: 14-15-3 / Conference: 8-11-2-1
5th in Big10 Conference
Feb. 9th: vs Minnesota
L 4-2 - Did Not Play
Feb. 10th: vs Minnesota
L 7-1 - Did Not Play
The Badgers are 5th in the Big 10 Conference, and would play the same Minnesota team that just beat them 11-3 this weekend. It’s a big change from last year where they lost in the final to Penn State.
#31 - Joseph Woll (G) - 60sh, 55sv, .917sv%
Boston College Eagles
Overall: 14-12-2 / Conference: 14-5-0
1st in Hockey East Standings
Feb. 5th: vs Northeastern
L 3-0 - 29sh, 26sv, .897sv%
Feb. 9th: vs U-Mass Lowell
W 3-2 - 31sh, 29sv, .936sv%
Right now the Eagles would get a first round bye for finishing in the top four teams in Hockey East. This is a better team than the one that lost in the Hockey East finals last year, so there are high expectations for Woll and company.
#8 - Dakota Joshua (F)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Overall: 19-7-4 / Conference: 12-7-1
Feb. 9th: @ Notre Dame
L 2-1 - Did Not Play
Feb. 10th: @ Notre Dame
W 5-1 - Did Not Play
The Buckeyes are second in Big10 and 13 points back of first place Notre Dame, who seem to have that bye to round two locked down. The Buckeyes will most likely play the 4 win Michigan in the first round.
