Hey OHL fans! It's time for my fearless predictions for the
first round of the playoffs.
If there's a better time of the year, I don't want to know
about it.
Last year, I made my predictions for the opening round of
the playoffs for the Eastern Conference. I went 2-2, nailing
Sudbury over Brampton in six games and Peterborough over
Belleville in five games.
Here's what I saw after peering into my crystal ball...
Peterborough (number one seed) versus Ottawa (number eight
seed)
Peterborough dominated the season series, taking six of
eight games. Ottawa has shown they can give the Petes a good
fight at home and with Sudbury boys Danny Battochio and Julian
Talbot leading the way, the 67's will not roll over and die.
Haddow's prediction: Peterborough in seven games. Why? The
Petes have their act together this season and too much
firepower and overall skill to contain even for Battochio, but
it will be close and hard-fought to the end.
Brampton (2) versus Belleville (7)
Any team wanting to face Brampton in the first round has to
be out of their minds. The Battalion owned the Bulls all
season, winning all four meetings. Brampton peeled off 14
straight wins heading into the playoffs and packs one of the
most potent one-two punches in Wojtek Wolski (128 points in 56
games) and Luch Aquino (72 points in 32 games).
Haddow's prediction: Brampton in four. Why? Again, Brampton
has been steamrolling opponents and packs too much offensive
punch, scoring 275 goals this season compared to Belleville's
202. It would be a miracle if Belleville stole even one game.
Barrie (3) versus Toronto (6)
Barrie controlled Toronto during the regular season, taking
five of six games. This series is screaming upset, but I don't
see it happening.
Haddow's prediction: Barrie in six games. Why? Goaltending and defence. All season, Toronto head coach Bud Stefanski pulled his hair out over the lack of defensive play by his team.
Toronto allowed 285 goals against, and only scored 259 goals
for. Barrie piled up 258 goals for, but with stellar defence,
only allowed 194 goals against. There's no doubt this will be
an exciting series full of wide-open hockey.
Kingston (4) versus Sudbury (5)
This has all the makings of being a classic. It will be
Kingston's youth and overall team skill against Sudbury's
experience and overall team grit.
Sudbury won both meetings between the two teams in the
regular season.
Haddow's prediction: Sudbury in six games. Why? Sudbury is bigger and badder than Kingston with more veteran players who have seen plenty of playoff action, and that should be enough to push them past the Frontenacs. Kingston can't be taken lightly with their explosive offence and will make a series out of it though.
