EAST
1 Oshawa vs 8 Barrie
Oshawa is the hottest team in the CHL coming into the playoffs, and Barrie does not match up well against them. Oshawa is 2nd and 9th in PK/PP respectively and Barrie is 19th/20th. With no Beau Akey, Barrie does not have the defensive depth to shut down the Gens top 9. Sam Hillebrandt and Beau Jelsma should steal at least a game for Barrie.
Prediction: OSH 4-1
2 North Bay vs 7 Kingston
Kingston was one of the most aggressive buying teams in at the deadline in the Eastern Conference (along with NB and OTT) paying big to get Roman Schmidt, Jax Dubois and Luke McNamara, but it didn’t exactly help them in the 2nd half. I do think because of how veteran a team they are, they won’t be an easy out. But I don’t see Vaccari being able to steal games like he’d need to in order for Kingston to actually win this series. NB will be too deep and their defence too strong for KGN to upset them
Prediction: NB 4-2
3 Brantford vs 6 Ottawa
I haven’t heard if Lardis is expected to be back or not so I’m going under the assumption he’s still out (if he’s back that would change things) but Ottawa finishing 6th makes no sense to me. They added big at the deadline and are one of the deepest teams on F and D in the conference, yet didn’t even sniff home ice in the playoffs. Brantford has played pretty far above their head in the 2nd half based on how their roster looks and I think it catches up to them know. I trust Ottawa’s offence a lot more than Brantford’s (without Lardis).
Prediction: OTT 4-2
4 Mississauga vs 5 Sudbury
This will be the best East series in my opinion. If this ends up being a high scoring series, I think Sudbury wins easily. Mississauga doesn’t have the offence to run and gun with Sudbury. But if Mississauga can keep this low scoring and make it a goalie battle series, then Mississauga will beat them. I expect Leenders to be really good, but I don’t think Mississauga will be able to stop Sudbury’s offence and Sudbury’s top guys (Musty, Dvorsky, Goyette) light it up better than anyone else in the league.
Prediction: SBY 4-2
WEST
1 London vs 8 Flint
Your typical 1 vs 8 series. London is so much deeper and so much better in almost every category. Flint would be happy to win a game.
Prediction: LDN 4-0
2 Saginaw vs 7 Owen Sound
Owen Sound is probably the most confusing team this year as they had a pretty good roster, a great goalie, a top 3-5 player in the league, and even traded away their ’07 rookie, but didn’t get anyone great for him and didn’t add at all beyond that. Saginaw is way deeper and should run away with this series. Owen Sound has a chance if Barlow and Goure go off and George stands on his head, but all 3 would have to happen for them to win more than 2 games.
Prediction: SAG 4-2
3 Sault Ste. Marie vs 6 Guelph
Guelph is a team I can never seem to get a feel for. They’re pretty good on paper, even without Poitras coming back, but Soo is even better on paper. I do think the Soo is susceptible for an upset, but I don’t see Guelph doing it. Soo’s top end talent should be enough to carry them to a series win.
Prediction: SSM 4-2
4 Kitchener vs 5 Erie
Kitchener is limping into the playoffs but they caught a break in my opinion getting Erie in round 1 instead of Guelph. Erie doesn’t have a goalie (maybe Gaudreau will make a return for the playoffs?) so Kitchener should make quick work of them. Kitchener really needs to get Sale going if they’re going to make a long run in the playoffs this year. I like Erie’s offence but their defence isn’t very good and to have a Jr A goalie in net doesn’t make for a good combination.
Prediction: KIT 4-1
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