Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome wasn't on to many people's radar as a top ten pick coming into the season. We had ranked him 14th coming into the season and it took less than a month for him to reach top ten, and then another month to reach our top 4.

But his ascension up draft charts were happening every where. His high lite reel goals are a YouTube sensation. His play making abilities and scoring touch left him just two points behind Tyler Toffoli and Jason Akeson in the scoring race. It's hard to imagine had he not missed a few games due to injury, that he would have been tied or ahead of both of them.

Strome put up the same points in his draft season as Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin did in theirs. That's not to say that he is the same dynamic player as his predecessors, but you can't argue his offensive ability. His 33 goals ranked tied for 31st in the OHL (Fifth among draft eligibles). His 73 assists ranked third (first among draft eligibles). his 31 power play assists ranked fifth (first among draft eligibles).

His point production dropped slightly in the playoffs, scoring 6 goals and adding 6 assists in 14 games. It wasn't so much the playoffs as it was the Eastern Conference Championship series where he only registered one assist in 5 games against the Mississauga St Mikes Majors. In fact, Strome's teammates were affected as much as he was.

So does this effect Strome's rankings? It's not so much about him as it is others solidifing or improving their positions. Like Tyler Seguin before him, you can't ignore the accomplishments of the season overall. He may have dropped one spot in our eyes, but again, that's more because of what others have done than it is because of what Strome didn't so.

Strome, Hamilton and Murphy Named to OHL All Star Teams

The OHL announced the leagues first, second and third all star teams for the season. Here are your all star teams with votes in brackets.

First Team:
Centre – Joey Hishon, Owen Sound Attack (63)
Left Wing – Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound Attack (61)
Right Wing – Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s (47)
Defence – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires (91)
Defence – Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers (71)
Goaltender – Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs (63)
Coach – Mark Reeds, Owen Sound Attack (60)


Second Team:
Centre – Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (48)
Left Wing – Marcus Foligno, Sudbury Wolves (41)
Right Wing – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers (39)
Defence – Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs (43)
Defence – Marc Cantin, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (33)
Goaltender – JP Anderson, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (59)
Coach – Dave Cameron, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (56)

Third Team:
Centre – Casey Cizikas, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (34)
Left Wing – Josh Shalla, Saginaw Spirit (36)
Right Wing – Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals (35)
Defence – Brett Flemming, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (30)
Defence – Jesse Blacker, Owen Sound Attack (28)
Goaltender – Petr Mrazek, Ottawa 67’s (24)
Coach – Michael Vellucci, Plymouth Whalers (20)

Scouting combine could take on added importance

"A couple of people high up in the Oilers' organization -- and I'm not naming names -- said Hopkins has the best vision on the ice since No. 99 (Wayne Gretzky)" -- Central Scouting's Peter Sullivan on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The top 76 North American skaters as rated by NHL Central Scouting will be taking those tests. Besides Nugent-Hopkins, those looking to make an impression on the scouts are Kitchener Rangers left wing Gabriel Landeskog and defenseman Ryan Murphy; defenseman Dougie Hamilton and center Ryan Strome of the Niagara IceDogs; Drummondville Voltigeurs center Sean Couturier; Portland Winterhawks left wing Sven Baertschi; and a group of players from the Saint John Sea Dogs that includes centers Jonathan Huberdeau and Zack Phillips, defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, and right wing Tomas Jurco.

Check out the full story, including the players invited to the NHL combine at nhl.com

The Hockey News Releases Top 100

The Hockey News' newest issue, expected on newstands early next week, is it's Draft Preview Edition and will have its awaited top 100 list, as well as a quick glimpse into the 2012 draft.

THN enlisted the services of over a dozen NHL scouts in coming up with the list. As usual, there are a few eye poppers, especially when compared to the NHL's Central Scouting list. But Central's list always comes out early so things are bound to change.

THN also has two new names in the top 10 that have not been seen on most lists to date. The top 10 are

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Adam Larsson
3. Gabriel Landeskog
4. Sean Couturier
5. Jonathan Huberdeau
6. Ryan Strome
7. Ryan Murphy
8. Sven Bartschi
9. Zack Phillips
10. Dougie Hamilton

Be sure to pick up your copy for the top 100.

Strome, Hamilton Win Team Awards For Ice Dogs

Defenceman of the Year
Second year IceDogs defenceman Dougie Hamilton was named Defenceman of the Year for the IceDogs after another stellar season which has seen his NHL draft stock continue to rise.  The second year blueliner accumulated a team record for point by a defenceman, breaking Alex Pietrangelo's IceDogs record with 58 points (12 goals, 46 assists) in 67 games, to go along with a team leading +35 rating.  He then took his game to an even higher level in the playoffs, leading the IceDogs with 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) in 14 games.  Amazingly, on top of being a likely top 10 pick in the upcoming NHL draft, the 17-year-old Hamilton also continues to excel in the classroom, winning the Bobby Smith Award for OHL Scholastic Player of the Year.  Finally, in addition to all the other accolades Hamilton was also a finalist for OHL Defenceman of the Year.

Most Valuable Player
The final award of the day went to Ryan Strome who was named the IceDogs Most Valuable Player.  The sophomore forward set an IceDogs record with 73 assists in the regular season and when combined with his 33 goals, it helped him to a third place finish in the OHL scoring race with 106 points, only two points back of the top spot.  If it were not for a late season injury which cost Strome three games, it is quite possible that Strome could have led the league in scoring as a 17 year old.  As it is, Strome was the top point getter amongst CHL draft eligible players and he climbed his way up the draft rankings over the course of the season from possible first round pick to possible top 10 pick.

For other team awards click here

Mississauga 4 Niagara 1

Mississauga wins series 4-1

Prediction: Mississauga in 7

Mississauga captured the Eastern Conference Championship and advanced to the OHL Finals with a 4-1 victory over Niagara and take the series by the same 4-1.

Throughout this series, and all the playoffs for that matter, Mississauga showed their depth, leadership and experience in rolling through the Conference playoffs with only one loss, that coming at the hands of Niagara.

They showed why they were the best defensive team and the best offensive team, and that they had the best penalty kill and power play in the league. but let's not forget Niagara. They too rolled through the playoffs but in the end Mississauga's depth and experience proved to be too much. The Ice Dogs however, are the real deal and this just gives them added experience and they will be better off next season because of it.

Casey Cizikas, shown accepting the Bobby Orr Trophy from David Branch, opened the scoring at 6:47 of the second period from Michael D'Orazio. It was Cizikas' third goal of the playoffs.

Dougie Hamilton would notch his fourth on the power play from Ryan Strome and Johnson Andrews at 10:43. Then, at 15:46, Mississauga would get all the scoring they would need when Rob Flick scored from Maxim Kitsyn to put the Majors up 2-1. Dylon DeMelo would add his first before closing out the period from Chris DeSousa and Corey Bureau.

Just 1:10 into the third Kitsyn put the nail in the coffin when he notched his seventh of the playoffs from Riley Brace. The only question remaining now was "What will Cizikas do with the Orr Trophy?"

To the surprise and satisfaction of the few in attendance, Cizikas picked up the trophy from Branch and skated with it held high over his head and towards his teammates who were happily waiting to get their hands on it.

Mississauga now awaits the winner of the Owen Sound vs Windsor Series in the final round. Owen Sound currently leads the series 3-1 with game 5 Wednesday in Owen Sound.

 Mississauga's victory guarantees that the winner of the Owen Sound - Windsor series will join them in the Memorial Cup. As the host team Mississauga's spot is guaranteed and should they win the OHL Championship, then the other finalist becomes the OHL representative.

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Mississauga 6 Niagara 1

Mississauga leads series 3-1

Mississauga went into Niagara's barn in St Catherines and dominated from start to finish leaving them just one victory shy of the bobby Orr Trophy as the Eastern Conference champs and a birth in the final and a chance to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup before hosting the Memorial Cup.

Niagara must find a way to not just create some chances but bury them against the OHL's stingiest defence. That will begin tonight in Mississauga.

Joseph Cramarossa got it started with his first goal of the playoffs at at 5:53  of the opening period from from Maxim Kitsyn and Jordan Mayer. That lead would hold up until 15:09 of the period when Johnson Andrews scored his second from Dougie Hamilton and David Pacan. That would be Hamilton's first point of the Conference Finals.

The period would end up tied at one with Mississauga out shooting Niagara 12-7. Niagara would go 0/1 on the power play as would Mississauga.

Mississauga would explode with four unanswered goals in the second period. Devante Smith-Pelley would score his sixth of the playoffs from Justin Shugg and Marc Cantin at the 5:38 mark. Just 1:02 later, on a bad give away at the Mississauga blue line Cramarossa would come in alone on Mark Visentin to score his second of the game, this one a short handed marker to give Mississauga a 3-1 lead.

Riley Brace would extend the lead to 4-1 from Derek Schoenmakers at 15:51 of the period. It was Brace's fourth goal of the playoffs. Smith-Pelley would score his second of the game just 23 seconds later from Shugg to close out the second period scoring and give the Majors a 5-1 lead.

Mississauga would send 15 shots at Visentin in the period and end his night while Niagara fired 11 shots at a perfect J P Anderson. Mississauga would go 1/2 on the power play while Niagara was 0/1 while giving up the short handed marker.

Jamie Wise scored the lone goal of the third period on the power play from Schoenmakers. It was Wise's second goal of the post season.

Mississauga was 1/2 on the power play while Niagara was 0/3. Niagara had 14 shots in the period while Mississauga fired 6 at Dalton McGrath.

It was a penalty filled third period. Andrew Agozzino, who Niagara needs to score and is goalless in the series took a 5 minute major for a hit to the head and also received a game misconduct. The league will certainly review this one and the Ice Dogs can ill afford to lose Agozzino if they have any intention of coming back in this series.

Then during a scuffle in which roughing penalties were handed out, Niagara's Andrews, their lone goal scorer on the evening, took a game misconduct for abuse of officials. That to will get a look by the league. It's not known whether suspensions could be handed down before Tuesday's game back in Mississauga.

Niagara needed their power play to be what it was in the regular season; the Leagues best. But it's disappeared in this round. They needed their stars, Agozzino, Ryan Strome and Freddie and Dougie Hamilton to produce. Agozzino has yet to score, Strome has but one assist, Dougie Hamilton got his first point in this game but Freddie Hamilton leads them all with 2 goals and 1 assist.

For Mississauga, defenseman Stuart Percy was once again solid and dominant in ways that don't show up on the stat sheet. His stock is sure to rise.

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Mississauga 3 - Niagara 0

Mississauga Leads Series 1-0

This is the series between possibly the two best teams in the Ontario Hockey League. Mississauga came out and stuck to their game plan from start to finish, get the lead, shut the opposition down and capitalize on their own chances.

Not to mention depend on JP Anderson to do what he does well in goal and that's stop pucks when the opposition does get chances. Anderson stopped all 23 shots he faced for his fourth shut out of these playoffs, in only his ninth game.

It didn't take Mississauga long to strike. Just 48 seconds in Jordan Mayer scored his 4th goal from Maxim Kitsyn Mika Partanen to make it 1-0 for the Majors. You have to think that Mike Visentin will not like seeing Kitsyn that much in this round after his performance at the World Junior Championships for Team Russia.

Devante Smith-Pelly would then score his fifth to make it 2-0 from Casey Cizikas to close out the first period scoring at 14:17. The Majors would out shoot the Ice Dogs 11-6 in the opening frame. Mississauga, with the league's best penalty kill, would prevent Niagara, with the leagues best powerplay, from scoring on their two chances. The Majors did not have any powerplay time in the period.

The second period would produce just one goal. That came at 7:31 when Jamie Wise scored his first goal of the playoffs from Derek Schoemakers and Joseph Cramarossa. The shots in the period were 11-10 in favor of Mississauga. Both teams were 0-2 on the powerplay. We should also mention that Niagara has the second best penalty kill in the league while Mississauga has the second best powerplay.

Frustration set in for Ryan Strome late in the period when, at 19:17 of the period, he got into a needless fight with Dylan DeMelo. Strome did not fair very well in the bought. It's not to say that Strome was giving up size or that DeMelo is a fighter himself, but after the game with the gathered media scrum Coach Williamson was asked if he minded Strome fighting and he replied with "He's here to score". When asked again he replied "He's here to score".  We'll take that as a no Coach.

The Third period saw no goal scoring. The Majors would outshoot the Ice Dogs 9-7 for a total of 31-23 in the game. Both penalty kills were perfect on the night.Mississauga went 0-2 while Niagara went 0-5 on the night.

Game two goes Thursday night in the friendly confines in St Catherines.

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Preview - Eastern Conference

Mississauga Vs Niagara

This series is considered by many to be the League Final. But there is a chance both could appear in the Memorial Cup. Mississauga is guaranteed to be involved as the host team. For Niagara to make it, they would have to win this series and the League Final. But don't expect the Majors to take it lightly, they don't want in through the back door.

Mississauga comes in having won 18 straight games dating back to the regular season. They dispatched of the Belleville Bulls in four games in round one and followed that up with a four game sweep against Sudbury.

Niagara is almost equally as hot through the sweeping Brampton and dispatching Oshawa in 5 games.

Mississauga was the OHL's most prolific offensive team in the regular season while Niagara was tied for 5th. Mississauga also the leagues best defensive team allowing 27 fewer goals than second place Niagara. Both teams are strong in goal with JP Anderson guarding the net for Mississauga and Mark Visentin for Niagara.

Mississauga is loaded with depth and experience. Niagara is led by two players expected by many to be top 10 picks in the NHL Entry Draft in Ryan Strome and Dougie Hamilton.

Mississauga won the regular season series 7-1 winning one of those games in overtime. But the most convincing win was a 10-1 victory at home on February 20th.

As for the key draft eligible players in this series for Niagara we have Dougie Hamilton who went pointless in the 6 games and was a non-typical minus 6. Ryan Strome had 0 goals and 3 assists through the 6 games. For Mississauga Stuart Percy had 0 goals and 5 assists and was a plus 7 in the 6 games.

Hard to predict how the regular season domination by the Majors will affect this series, and the key will be how the experienced and deep leadership on the squad keeps everyone focused. It should be a lot closer that the regular season showed.

Prediction: Mississauga in 7 games

OHL Playoffs - Day 22

Niagara 7 Oshawa 3 - Niagara wins series 4-1 (Prediction: Niagara in 7 games)

Okay so it didn't last 7 games but as much as Niagara deserved to win in 5 games, Oshawa was to blame just as much for being undisciplined and taking foolish and needless penalties. That aside, we are going to see the Eastern Conference Championship pretty  much everyone expected when Niagara opens up on the road in Mississauga and the two battle it out for the Bobby Orr Trophy. And what a series that will be. But more on that later.

Last night marked the seventh time in 9 playoff games that Niagara has been out shot in a game and their record in those 7 games: 7-0. It really speaks to how well Mark Visentin has played in these playoffs.

It didn't take Niagara long to get the ball rolling when just 40 seconds into the game Dougie Hamilton and Steven Shipley set up Darren Archibald for his 9th goal of the playoffs. Then at 3:22, Archibald was at it again when Jesse Graham and Shipley set him up for his league leading 10th goal with this one coming on the power play to make it 2-0.

Nicklas Jensen and Calvin de Haan would set up Josh Graves for his first to get Oshawa on the board and pull within one at the 8:58 mark. But just 1:35 later Shipley would notch his first of the playoffs to restore the two goal lead when Dougie Hamilton and Andrew Agozzino set him up to make it 3-1 in favor of Niagara.

Ryan Strome would extend the lead to three goals when he scored his 6th of the playoffs from Jason Wilson and Milan Doudera at 14:46 of the first period. At 17:02 and on the power play, Archibald and Wilson would set up David Pacan with his second of the playoffs to go up 5-1. Oshawa would respond with a powerplay goal of their own at 17:48 when de Haan and Boone Jenner set up Christian Thomas for his 9th goal. And that, finally is how the first period would end, with Niagara up 5-2.

Jenner would score his 7th of the post season at 15:05 of the third period to cut the margin to two. The lone assist went to Alain Berger. That would be the lone goal of the period and the score remained 5-3 in favor of Niagara.

Things were looking good for Oshawa as they were beginning to get in on Visentin and create some chances. Almost half way through the period Niagara's Ryan Strome took a double minor for spearing that would put Oshawa on a 4 minute powerplay and a chance to tie the game.

Any attempt at a comeback was just about killed Jensen and Valentine took consecutive slashing penalties 36 seconds apart not only negating their powerplay, but putting them a man down. Agozzino scored his 6th on that powerplay at 11:45 of the third with the assists going to Alex Friesen and Dougie Hamilton, his third of the game. Hamilton now has two 3 point games, three 2 point games and two 1 point games (and only 2 pointless games) in the playoffs.

Pacan would close out the scoring with his 2nd of the game and 3rd of the playoffs from Friesen and Agozzino at 15:08 to make it 7-3.

With 4:29 remaining in regulation, the frustration got to Oshawa's Lucas Lessio when he went after one of the Ice Dogs in the corner and simply lost his cool. Lessio received a double minor for roughing, a 10 minute misconduct and a game misconduct. Lessio will almost certainly face a suspension to begin next season for his actions.

We will preview the Mississauga vs Niagara series once the Western Conference Final is determined. Owen Sound is awaiting the winner of the Saginaw vs Windsor series which is tied at 2 games apiece. Game 5 of that series goes tonight in Saginaw with game 6 back in Windsor on Sunday.

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OHL Playoffs - Day 20

Mississauga 4 Sudbury 3 OT - Mississauga wins series 4-0 (Prediction: Mississauga in 5)

The red hot Mississauga St. Mikes Majors are on one heck of a run that is an 18 game win streak. It started back at the end of the regular season when they won their remaining 10 games. That was followed up by a 4 game sweep of the Belleville Bulls and now a 4 game sweep of the Wolves.

And now, they will be playing for the Bobby Orr Trophy, awarded to the Eastern Conference Playoff Champions. All they have to do is await the winner of the Oshawa - Niagara series. The conference finals begin next week.

What is truly amazing is how they won this game. Alain Valiquette had to be amazing in goal again for the Wolves, and that he was, stopping all 15 shots he faced in the first period. His opponent at the other end, JP Anderson had to face but 3 shots. But the teams would head to the dressing room tied at zero.

In the second period it was the Wolves who opened the scoring with Eric O'Dell scoring his 7th of the playoffs at 7:38 with the assist going to Marcus Foligno. At 16:43 Sudbury upped the score when Foligno scoring from O'Dell and Josh McFadden. That's how the second would end with the Wolves out shooting the Majors 9-6.

Frank Corrado gave Sudbury a 3-0 lead at 8:41 of the third period. And with less than 10 minutes left in regulation, you figure it was game over right? Wrong!

At the 10:47 mark of the period Rob Flick scored to pull the Majors within two. Assists on Flick's goal went to Chris DeSousa and Maxim Kitsyn. Casey Cizikas would then pull Mississauga to within one goal when he scored at 14:45.

Sudbury would go down two men late in the period but the Majors were unable to capitalize on the 5 on 3. But with less than 2 minutes remaining and on another poer play, Marc Cantin and Cizikas would set up Devante Smith-Pelly with 1:51 remaining to even the score at 3 apiece. That's how regulation would end with the Majors out shooting the Wolves 18-8 in the third.

In overtime Riley Brace threw the puck at the net and it bounced off of Valiquette and right to Derek Schoenmakers who banged in for the overtime. Those were 2 of only 4 shots in the overtime. The Wolves had all 4.

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Owen Sound 4 Plymouth 1 - Owen Sound wins series 4-0 (Prediction: Plymouth in 6)

Well, I've never worried about eating crow and being totally wrong, and in this case was I ever wrong. I really expected Plymouth to put up a bigger fight, especially after how they Handled  Kitchener. But give Owen Sound credit. They deserved to win this in 4 games.

Owen Sound now awaits the winner of the Windsor Saginaw series for a chance to win the Eastern Conference Championship and the Wayne gretzky Trophy.

Owen Sound opened the scoring when my hometown boy Brendan Childerly scored his third of the playoffs 9:40 into the opening period. Liam Heelis  and Jarrod Maidens drew the assists on the goal. Cameron Brace made it 2-0 when he notched his first of the post season with the assists going to Andrew Shaw and Mike Halmo.

The period would end with the Attack out shooting the Whalers 17-14.

It was a back and forth second perios until Roman Berdnikov scored very late in the period. There were just 23 seconds left when Garrett Wilson and Jay Gilbert set him up for his thrid goal. Shots in the period were 14-13 in favor of the Whalers.

Jesse Blacker opened the scoring very quickly into the thirs when at the 53 second mark he scored an unassisted power play marker, his fourth of the playoffs to put the Attack up 4-0.

All that remained to be determined late in the game was whether Scott Stajcer, the games first star, would get the shutout. But with just 1:05 remaining in regulation James Livingston would spoil that when he notched his 4th goal. Robbie Czarnick would draw the only assist.

Stajcer would make 36 saves in the game. Not bad for a guy who missed most of the regular season and saw 2 games in relief only in the series against London.

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Niagara 6 Oshawa 1 - Niagara leads series 3-1

Not to take anything away from the Ice Dogs as they deserved this victory from the opening puck drop, but the Generals shot themselves in the foot in this one. The Generals took 7 of the first 8 penalites of the contest with 3 of the 7 going to Andy Andreoff, who had a total of 4 minor penalties in the game.

Jason Wilson would open the scoring at 5:52 when he notched his third goal. Simon Gronvaldt and Freddie Hamilton, who finished with 4 on the night, would add the assists. At 9:28 Wilson would get his second of the game on the powerplay to put Niagara up 2-0. David Pacan and Steven Shipley would get the assists on Wilson's fourth of the playoffs.

Dougie Hamilton would score his second of the playoffs on the powerplay to up the score to 3-0. Freddie Hamilton and Ryan Strome would assist on the goal. Christian Thomas would get Oshawa on the board with his 8th goal set up by Luca Lessio and Tony DeHart. But that's as close as they would come.

Darren Archibald notched his 8th as well when he scored unassisted at 4:47 of the third period to make it 4-1. Strome then scored his fifth from Wilson and Freddie Hamilton and Dougie Hamilton closed out the scoring with another powerplay goal at 18:40 from Strome and Freddie Hamilton.

Mark Visentin was spectacular in goal when he had to be for Niagara stopping 30 of 31 shots.

With the game out of reach it got chippy with hits from behind, hits to the head and fighting majors given out. Oshawa even took a run at Visentin late in the contest - maybe a message for the next game - which goes Friday back in the Cozy confines in St Catherines.

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TSN: McKenzie's Top 10

In his annual draft lottery day survey of 10 NHL Gm's/Scouts here are the top 10 player rankings for the NHL Entry Draft:

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Adam Larsson
3. Gabriel Landeskog
4. Jonathan Huberdeau
5. Sean Couturier
6. Ryan Strome
7. Dougie Hamilton
8. Ryan Murphy
9. Duncan Siemens
10. Mika Zibanejad

OHL Playoffs - Day 18

Niagara 5 Oshawa 3 - Niagara leads series 2-1

The Ice Dogs took a series lead last night with a 5-3 victory over the Generals in front of a packed house in the cozy confines of the Gatorade Garden City Complex in St. Catherines.

The Ice Dogs came out flying and took a 4-0 lead after 1 period. Ryan Strome got it started when he notched his 4th of the post season just 1:03 into the contest. Jesse Graham and Jason Wilson would draw the assists.

Just 1:19 later Niagara would go up 2-0 when Simon Gronvaldt would score his first of the playoffs with assists going to Myles Doan and Darren Archibald. At 10:06 on the power play, the Hamilton Brothers would set up Andrew Agozzino for his 4th marker of the playoffs. At 18:55 of the period, Darren Archibald would notch his 7th to close out the first period scoring with assists going to Dougie Hamilton and Graham.

Niagara out shot Oshawa 16-13 in the first.

But Oshawa would throw 16 shots at Niagara goaltender Mark Visentin while Niagara managed just 4 on Peter Di Salvo in the second, on their way to trying to make a comeback.

But it wasn't until 19:53 of the third, on a penalty shot, that Andy Andreoff was finally able to beat Visentin. The second period would end with the Ice Dogs up 4-1.

At 13:01 of the third the two Scott's combined to cut the lead to 4-2. Valentine set up Laughton for his first of the playoffs to make a game of it. Then at 19:13 on the power play and Di Salvo on the bench for an extra attacker, Boone Jenner would score his 6th on a mad scramble in front. Calvin de Haan and Christian Thomas would earn assists on the goal.

But it all went for naught as Agozzino scored his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs into an empty net. Freddie Hamilton would draw the lone assists. Oshawa would out shoot Niagara 20-13 in the period and 49-33 in the game.

Game 4 goes Wednesday in Oshawa

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Owen Sound 4 Plymouth 1 - Owen Sound leads series 3-0

Rob Mignardi scored his 5th goal of the playoffs when he got the ball rolling to give the Attack a 1-0 lead at 7:55 of the opening period. Liam Heelis and Matt Petgrave got the assists. Andrew Shaw would then score his third on the powerplay at 9:44 to make it 2-0 with the assists going to Mike Halmo and Geoffrey Schemitsch. At 12:22 the Attack would go up 3-0 when Mignardi scored his 2nd of the game and 6th of the playoffs on the powerplay. Matt Stanisz and Jesse Blacker would get the assists.

The period would end with the Attack up 3-0 and out shooting the Whalers 17-5 in the period.

Period 2 would be much the same with the Attack holding a 17-7 shot advantage but Jarrod Maidens would get the only tally when he notched his first at 19:02 with the lone assist going to Heelis.

Plymouth seemed to turn things around in the third out shooting Owen Sound 14-9 but it was too little too late. RJ Mahalak scored his 2nd to put Plymouth on the board from Garrett Meurs and Beau Schmitz. But that's the only offense the Whalers could muster.

Game 4 is back in Plymouth on Wednesday evening.

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OHL Playoffs - Day 16

Oshawa 6 Niagara 4 - Series tied 1-1

If game 2 was any indication, this is going to be a long hard fought series.

Alex Friesen scored for the visiting Ice Dogs just 2:43 into the contest with an unassisted marker and first of the playoffs. Oshawa bounced back with a powerplay goal at 5:36 Alain Berger notched his 5th of the playoffs from Calvin de Haan and Christian Thomas.

Oshawa took a 2-1 lead with another powerplay goal by Thomas, his 6th of the playoffs, at 9:38 set up by de Haan and Nicklas Jensen. Niagara would tie it on a powerplay of their own when Ryan Strome scored his 3rd of the playoffs from Friesen and Freddie Hamilton. And that would end the scoring in the first period.

Jensen would restore the Generals lead on the powerplay when he notched his 6th goal at the 11 minute mark with the assists going to de Haan and Berger. Darren Archibald would tie it again just 40 seconds later with his 6th set up by Steven Shipley and Myles Doan. The second period would end tied at 3.

Mitchell Theoret would give Niagara the lead 6:15 into the 3rd when he scored his 2nd of the playoffs on a set up by Victor Terreri. That lead was short lived as Jensen notched his 2nd of the game and 7th of the playoffs to notch the score up at 4 a piece. The lone assist went to Andy Andreoff.

Boone Jenner would score unassisted at the 8:30 mark to give Oshawa the lead for good. It was Jenner's 5th of the playoffs. Thomas would add an insurance goal at 12:45, his 7th, from Tony DeHart.

Niagara would go 1 for 7 on the powerplay while Oshawa was 3 for 5. Niagara's Mark Visentin stopped 28 of 34 shots while Peter DiSalvo stopped 37 of 41.

Game 3 goes back to Niagara on Monday

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Owen Sound 3 Plymouth 2 - Owen Sound leads series 2-0

A tired Whalers squad finally got some rest and things looked pretty good for them for a while in this game.

Colin MacDonald scored his 1st of the playoffs at 13:51 of the first period to give the Whalers a 1-0 lead. Alex Aleardi and Austin Levi would be credited with the assists.

Tha score would hole up until 17:02 of the second period when Stefan Noesen scored his 7th of the playoffs to make it 2-0 with the only assist going to Dario Trutmann.

But with 2 minutes remaining in the second, things fell apart for the Whalers. Andrew Shaw scored his second of the playoffs to cut the lead to 2-1 from Geoffrey Schemitsch. Then, just 52 seconds later, Liam Heelis notched his 4th from Matt Petgrave and Schemitsch to send the teams to the dressing rooms tied at 2 for the third period.

The lone goal of the third came at 4:51 when Joey Hishon and Garrett Wilson set up Roman Berdnikov for his 2nd of the playoffs.

Owen Sound went 0 for 3 on the powerplay while Plymouth went 0 for 2.

Both goaltenders faced 31 shots with Scott Stajcer making 39 saves and Scott Wedgewood making 28 saves.

Game 3 goes Monday back in Owen Sound.

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OHL Playoffs - Day 14

Niagara 2 Oshawa 1 - Niagara leads series 1-0

 Niagara took game one against Oshawa in front of a sold out house at home at the Gatorade Garden City Complex last night.

Mark Visentin, who earlier this week signed an entry level contract with the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes, stopped 37 of 38 shots, none bigger than a third period breakaway on Oshawa's Christian Thomas to preserve the victory. Oshawa's Peter Di Salvo was equally as impressive stopping 33 of 35 shots for the Genereals. 

None other than one of our favorites, Ryan Strome, scored at 14:49 of the first on a breakaway and made one of his highlight reel moves to beat Di Salvo. Freddie Hamilton and Jason Wilson picked up the assists on the play on Strome's second of the playoffs.

Another of our favorites, Nicklas Jensen, scored at the 10:09 to tie things up 1-1. It was Jensen's 5th of the playoffs with Lucas Lessio and Daniel Maggio drawing the assists.

Jason Wilson scored his second goal of the playoffs to give Niagara lead once again at 2-1. It was a power play marker set up by Darren Archibald and Steven Shipley.

That's how this one would end.

Game 2 goes Saturday night in Oshawa.

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Owen Sound 4 Plymouth 3 OT - Owen Sound leads series 1-0

Is there a goaltending controversy in Owen Sound? Jordan Binnington, who carried the Attack for the bulk of the regular season was a healthy scratch again. And, well read on.

Michael Zador started for the Attack.  Scott Wedgewood tended goal for the Whalers.
 Jesse Blacker gave the Attack the 1-0 lead at 8:19 of period one.  Joey Hishon assisted.
  James Livingston evened it up less than 2 minutes later on the powerplay as he was the first to a loose puck in front of  Zador and tie the game 1-1 at 10:00.  Tyler Brown and Beau Schmitz drew the assists on Livingston's third of the playoffs.

The Whalers took advantage of another powerplay marker 2:36 into the second period when Beau Schmitz banged in the puck for his second of the playoffs. Robbie Czarnick and Brown assisted on the play.

Stefan Noesen made it 3-1 for Plymouth at 9:43 of the second. It was Noesen's fifth of the playoffs. Brown with his third assist of the night and Schmitz with his second to go along with his goal had the helpers.

A minute later, a nice passing play pulled the Attack within one. Daniel Sweep dished off to Robby Mignardi cross ice who then fired it to Liam Heelis cutting in the front of the Plymouth net and backhanded it passed Wedgewood at 10:44 for his third of the playoffs. That's the way the period would end.

So back to the original question: Is there a goaltending controversy or an injury?

 Scott Stajcer started the third period for the Attack and Zador was not on the bench for the remainder of the period. 

 Garrett Wilson tied the game at 3 at 11:09 of the period. It was Wilson's 4th of the playoffs and was set up by Brenden Childerley.

ANd that's how regulation would end with Attack outshooting the Whalers 44-30.

It was beginning to look like this game would go to a 2nd overtime  but at 14:45 we saw almost a replay of Blacker's first goal, this time from the other side of the rink and yes by Jesse Blacker himself who ended it with his second of the game set up by Wilson and Matt Stanisz.

Game 2 goes Saturday in Plymouth.

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Playoff Preview - Round 2 - Eastern Conference

Here's a preview of the Eastern Conference matchups in round 2 of the playoffs.

Mississauga (1) vs Sudbury (7) - Mississauga won season series 5-1

And they did so almost convincingly outscoring the Wolves 41-21 in those 6 games.

In Round 1 Mississauga swept the 8th seed Belleville Bulls while the Wolves surprised the hockey world and swept the 2nd seed Ottawa 67's.

Your draft eligible players to watch for Sudbury. Vs Mississauga, this is what they did:

Josh Leivo 1G 2A
Frank Corrado 0G 2A
Charlie Dodero 0G 0A
Justin Sefton 0G 0A

For Mississauga

Stuart Percy 1G 4A

For Bruins fans wanting to follow Marc Cantin, he had 1 goal and 4 assists in those 6 games against Sudbury.

Prediction: Mississauga in 5 games.

Niagara (3) vs Oshawa (4) - Season Series tied 1-1

In round 1 Niagara swept Brampton in 4 games while Oshawa ousted Kingston in 5.

For the serious draft junky, this is the series to watch. It's loaded with potential first round picks.

For Niagara, here's what the draft eligible players did vs Oshawa:

Ryan Strome 1G 3A
Dougie Hamilton 1G 1A

For Oshawa:

Boone Jenner 0G 1A
Nicklas Jensen 3G 0A
Lucas Lessio 0G 1A

This series will come down to home ice advantage. Therefore,

Prediction; Niagara in 7 games

OHL Playoffs - Day 8

Niagara 4 Brampton 1 - Niagara wins series 4-0 (Prediction - Niagara in 5)

Well, this is the second sweep in the OHL playoffs thus far and Niagara did dominate this one.

Andrew Agozzino scored twice while Freddie Hamilton added 2 assists for the Ice Dogs. Brampton goaltender Cody St Jacques just didn't have his best in this game, allowing 4 goals on 11 shots in 23 minutes of action. Matej Machovsky came on in relief and shut the door the rest of the way but it was too late.

Dougie Hamilton finished this series with 1 goal and 5 assists while Ryan Strome added 1 goal and 2 assists. For Brampton, Barclay Goodrow went pointless in 4 games.

Niagara now awaits the winner of the Oshawa and Kingston series as their next opponent.

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Sudbury 5 Ottawa 3 - Sudbury wins series 4-0 (Prediction: Ottawa in 5 games)

If you asked most people outside of Sudbury, you would have found few people that would have had Sudbury winning a single game let alone sweeping the 67's. But shockingly, it happened.

So what went wrong for Ottawa? That's the million dollar question. And I am sure that will be dissected over, and over, and over in Ottawa for days to come.

Sudbury has 3 draft eligible defensemen in Justin Sefton, Charlie Dodero and Frank Corrado who went pointless last night but were all on the plus side. Not only were they solid in game 4, but throughout the series.

They got timely saves when they needed them from Alain Valiquette. And they also got timely goals when needed, and last night it was Michael Sgarbossa who provided a pair of goals to give him 4 goals and 8 assists in the 4 game series.

Things don't get any easier for the Wolves though. They now have to face the league's regular season champs and the Memorial Cup Host Mississauga St Mikes Majors in the next round. A preview of that series will follow the completion of round one.

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Saginaw 4 Guelph 3 - Series tied 2-2

Saginaw went into Guelph trailing 2-1 in the series and after falling behind 2-0 they went to work. They scored a short handed goal, a 5 on 5 goal and 2 power play goals to take the lead and make it hold up for the victory.

Ryan O'Connor lead the way offensively with 2 assists while Mavric Parks stopped 30 of 33 shots for the Spirit. Brandon Saad added a single assist while Vincent Trocheck went pointless for Saginaw.

It was also a game of specialty teams with Saginaw going 2 for 3 on the power play while Guelph went 1 for 6.

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London 5 Owen Sound 2 - Series tied 2-2

This series is going exactly as i suspected it would and that Michael Houser and Jared Knight would have to play key roles for the Knights to win this series. And they are getting just that.

Houser stopped 36 of 38 shots and once again made big saves when he was counted upon. As for Knight, he played primarily a shut down role last night yet was still able to add 2 goals.

Joey Hishon remains virtually invisible in this series scoring only 1 goal, and that coming after his shadow Stephen Sanza left game 3 with an injury. Owen Sound needs Hishon scoring if they are going to take this series.

Seth Griffith added a goal for London while Vladislav Namestnikov added an assist. For Griffith, that was his third goal to go along with 4 assists. Knight now has 4 goals and 2 assists in the series.

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OHL Playoffs - Day 6

Mississauga 4 Belleville 4 - Mississauga wins series 4-0 (prediction - Mississauga 4-0)

It was the JP Anderson show once again, recording his third consecutive shutout of the series. Remarkably, he only allowed 1 goal the entire series way back in game 1.

Maxim Kitsyn scored once and added an assist as did Devante Smith-Pelly. Justin Shugg had 2 assists on the night.

While Belleville goes home now, Mississauga awaits their next opponent. Shockingly, it could very well be the Sudbury Wolves.

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Niagara 5 Brampton 1 - Niagara lead series 3-0

Mark Visentin was rock solid in goal again as he stopped 35 of 35 shots for the Ice Dogs and leading his team to a commanding 3-0 lead in their best of seven series.

Only Zach Bell was able to beat Visentin on this night. For Niagara, Alex Friesen and Dougie Hamilton had 2 assists each while Ryan Strome had 1 and Jason Wilson had a goal and a helper.

About the only thing we know for certain is the Ice Dogs won't be facing the Majors in the next round.

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Kingston 7 Oshawa 4 - Oshawa leads series 3-1

Kingston lived to fight another day !!

Rookie goalie Nathan Perry stopped 34 of 38 shots in his first full OHL playoff game while Peter DiSalvo was pulled for Oshawa after allowing 5 goals on 28 shots.

Nicklas Jensen was held pointless for Oshawa while fellow draft eligibles Lucas Lessio and Boone Jenner had a goal each.

For Kingston, Nathan Moon (playing through injury) had 3 goals, while Ethen Werek playing in only his second game back since his suspension had 3 assists. Ryan Spooner added a goal and an assist for the winners.

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Sudbury 5 Ottawa 4 OT - Sudbury leads series 3-0.

Can we possibly have an upset in the making here?

Trailing 4-2, and looking tired and sluggish, the Wolves mounted a comeback. Defenseman Josh MacFadden scored his 2nd of the night to pull Sudbury within one goal on the power play. Then with 17:52 left in the third, Adam Sedlak of the 67's took an interference penalty to put the Wolves on the power play.

With 16 seconds left, MacFadden scored his 3rd of the night to force the game into overtime. It only took Mike Lumas 33 seconds into the extra session to complete the comeback and give Sudbury a commanding and yet unthinkable 3-0 series lead.

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Owen Sound 5 London 3 - Owen Sound leads series 2-1

Michael Houser didn't have as many shots to face as earlier in the series, but he had to make some difficult saves in stopping 30 of 34 shots. His Attack counterpart Jordan Binnington, stopped 17 of 20 for the win.

London was up 3-1 and in control of this game until captain Stephen Sanza went down with an injury and had to leave the game. Sanza had been able to limit joey Hishon to just 2 assists in the previous 2 games.

With Sanza out of the game, it opened up some room for Hishon who got the game tying goal in the 3rd before Jessie Blacker scored the eventual winner. Blacker finished with a goal and 2 assists.

Seth Griffith had a goal and an assist while Vladislav Namestnikov had 2 assists for the Knights. All 3 of London's goals came on the power play.

Special teams played a huge role in this game with 25 man power advantages on the night. London was 3-13 on the PP while Owen Sound was 2-12.

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OHL Playoffs - Day 4

Niagara 2 Brampton 0 - Niagara leads series 2-0

Mark Visentin stopped all 24 shots to earn the shutout and Niagara won 2-0 to take the series lead by the same 2-0.

Ryan Strome scored the game's opening goal, and the game winner while Freddie Hamilton scored the other. Dougie Hamilton assisted on Strome's goal with a beauty of a pass and was physical throughout the game.

Brampton couldn't muster much offense with Niagara's stifling defence that forced them offside time and time again. However, defenseman Spencer Abraham had a solid game for the Batallion. He was strong in his own zone and moved the puck well.

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Mississauga 2 Belleville 0 - Mississauga leads series 3-0

JP Anderson stopped all 19 shots he faced for his second consecutive shutout in this series. Malcom Subban, who started in place of Tyson Teichmann once again, stopped 34 of 35 shots and being named the games second star.

Maxim Kitsyn scored in the 2nd to give Mississauga the lead and Riley Brace added the empty netter. Marc Cantin assisted on both goals.

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Guelph 6 Saginaw 2 - Series tied 1-1

Guelph returned home and dominated this game to even the sreies up, beginning with Brandon Foote in goal who made 32 saves for the victory.

Michael Latta led the way offensively with 3 assists, Peter Holland had 2, and Zach Mitchell and Cody McNaughton had a goal and assist each. 6'4" Russian import Andrey Pedan also had 2 assists.

For Saginaw, Brandon Saad had an assist while Vincent Trocheck was held off the board.

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Oshawa 5 Kingston 4 - Oshawa leads series 3-0

Philipp Grubauer is still out with an illness. Franky Palazzese was over worked and not to mention he couldn't dress because of a hip injury. Enter a very raw rookie in Nathan Perry. Could he stop the Oshawa onslaught?

Perry stopped 26 of 31 shots but it just wasn't enough for Kingston to pull out a victory. Erik Gudbranson did what he could for Kingston, scoring once and adding 2 assists. Aandy Andreaoff did the same for Oshawa.

The Great Dane - Nicklas Jensen added 2 goals for Oshawa giving him 4 goals and 6 points in 3 playoff games. Boone Jenner and Lucas Lessio were both held off the score sheet.

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Draft Eliible Assists Leaders

OHL draft eliible assist leaders

Ryan Strome - 73
Ryan Murphy - 53
Mark Scheifele - 53
Dougie Hamilton - 46
Daniel Catenacci - 45