Hey OHL fans, it's time for more news and statistics.
Let's start with some Sudbury Wolves stuff first.
Wolves goalie Kevin Beech was named the OHL Player of the
Week after going 3-1 last week and posting a 1.25
goals-against-average (GAA) and .960 save percentage.
Beech's numbers are just outstanding and his play against
Kingston was impeccable. He forged a 1.83
goals-against-average, which was second-best of any goaltender
in the opening round and his .945 save percentage was third
best against the fifth highest scoring team in the OHL in the
first round.
When I peered into a crystal ball before the playoffs
started, I predicted the Wolves would win in six games - and
they did.
I also nailed the winners from all the other series in the
Eastern Conference.
I am going to make some more predictions. Sudbury will take
Peterborough down in six games, while Barrie will eliminate
Brampton in six games as well.
Everyone knows how good Ben Pouliot and Kevin Beech were in
the Kingston series - the two dominated their positions and
helped propel the Wolves to victory.
Three guys who deserve a great deal of credit are the
makeshift bump and grind line of Ryan Donally, Gerome Giudice
and Matt Dias.
This line went out, over and over again, and hit and smashed
the Frontenacs into submission.
Their physical play was inspiring and contagious. In the six
games, the three combined for two goals and four points.
Donally really stepped up by throwing his fists with the two
biggest players on Kingston, Chris Stewart and Justin
Wallingford. I don't care who you are, those are two tough guys
to handle and Donally did his team proud and earned a lot of
respect in the Wolves' locker room.
Giudice also let the knuckles fly, taking on a pesky Mike
Looby and putting him in his place.
Dias was all over the place, throwing his weight around and
getting shots off.
What a playoff baptism by fire Kingston rookie goalie Daryl
Borden received in game six. Replacing an injured Danny Taylor,
Borden, 16, played his first ever playoff contest on Sunday in
one of the most unforgiving barns in the OHL. Borden was solid,
making 37 saves, including 18 in the first period.
He also had to hear the endless Borden-Borden chants from
the rowdy, local fans throughout the game. I have to give
Borden credit for his performance and it looks like Kingston
has a good goalie for the future.
Let's switch gears...
The biggest shocker of the first round had to be Owen Sound
eliminating Kitchener in five games.
The Rangers were heavy favourites, having won 47 games and
finishing with 96 points during the regular season. They also
had the league's best goals-against mark, only allowing 165
goals.
Owen Sound finished with 32 wins and only 71 points.
It just goes to show everyone, the regular season means
virtually nothing once the playoffs start.
Guelph Storm veteran goaltender Ryan MacDonald deserves kudos.
This guy seems bent on tasting Memorial Cup success.
MacDonald was traded to Guelph last season from London, just
before the Knights hoisted the prize every junior player dreams
of.
MacDonald is putting up terrific numbers after the Storm
swept their first round series over Saginaw.
MacDonald has the league's best GAA (1.75) and save percentage (.949)  leading Guelph to a four-game sweep of Saginaw.
