Golden Horseshoe playoff preview/predictions
It’s finally playoff time.
After six months of what is essentially an exhibition schedule with all eight teams qualifying for the post season, it’s time for the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference to get down to business.
“The players are hungry for the playoffs to start. They are pretty exited about it,” St. Catharines Falcons coach/general manager Frank Girhiny said.
The best-of-seven quarter-final playoffs begin Monday when the Fort Erie Meteors travel to Hamilton to take on the Kilty B’s. Two other series kick off Tuesday as the Welland Junior Canadians travel to St. Catharines and the Thorold Blackhawks visit the Pelham Panthers. The regular-season champion Niagara Falls Canucks host Lockport Friday.
The following is a quick look at each series followed by a fearless prediction:
Niagara Falls (1) vs. Lockport (8)
The Canucks not only finished atop the Golden Horseshoe standings, but they also placed first overall in the GOJHL.
The Canucks feature firepower aplenty, led by GOJHL scoring champion Justin Kyle and top scoring defenceman Dillon Hill.
Canucks coach/general manager Frank Pietrangelo feels all the ingredients are in place for a long playoff run.
“We won our last eight games in a row and have been in playoff mode for the month of February trying to win a championship,” he said. “Sometimes you sit around and you know who you are going to play and you’re resting guys, but we haven’t been in that situation. We needed to win every night so now nothing changes.”
The Regals finished in last place with an 8-38-1-1 record but played much better in the second half and came within two points of climbing out of the basement.
“If you look at the second half of their season, they did terrific,” Pietrangelo said of the Regals. “They’ve turned the program around. We all know where they were a few years ago.
“We know what to expect from them. They have talent and they work hard and can skate. Having said that, we know if we play at our best, we will win.”
The Canucks swept the season series 8-0 and outscored the Regals 64-12.
Game 1 is Friday in Niagara Falls with Game 2 at the Gale Centre Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The series then shifts to Lockport for Game 3 and 4 next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Potrecz picks: Canucks in 4
St. Catharines (2) vs. Welland (7)
The Falcons head into their series versus the struggling Welland Junior Canadians as prohibitive favourites.
St. Catharines finished with the second-best overall record in the GOJHL while the Junior Canadians limped to the finish line losing their final 20 games. Welland last won a game Dec. 15 versus Fort Erie.
Still, Falcons general manager/coach Frank Girhiny is cautioning his charges to not take the Junior Canadians lightly.
“It’s been our message for the last few games to continue to play the best hockey we can and not take any shortcuts,” he said. “We need to continue to do the same thing. We’re the favourites, but we have to continue to play the game the right way. We have to win every game. We have to coach that way as well. The players know that.”
The Falcons will be without Noah Blakely (wrist), who is gone for the season, but promising rookies Ethan Sims and Dawson McKinney should both be available at some point in the series.
The Falcons swept the season series 8-0 and outscored Welland 48-9.
Games 1 and 2 are in St. Catharines Tuesday and Friday followed by Games 3 and 4 in Welland Sunday and Tuesday, March 5.
Potrecz picks: Falcons in 4
Hamilton (3) vs. Fort Erie (6)
The Meteors won 21 fewer games and finished 39 points behind the Kilty B’s in the regular season standings, but did manage a pair of wins in the seven-game regular season series.
The Kilty B’s are a solid team from top to bottom and could surprise as the playoffs move on.
The Meteors are high on work ethic and development, but have a tough time competing against the top teams.
The series gets underway with Monday in Hamilton before the series shifts to Fort Erie Saturday. Game 3 is Monday, March 4 in Hamilton with Game 5 Wednesday, March 6 in Fort Erie.
Potrecz picks: Kilty B’s in 4
Pelham (4) vs. Thorold (5)
The Thorold Blackhawks and Pelham Panthers square off in what should be the most competitive of the opening-round series.
The Panthers finished in fourth place, 10 points up on the Blackhawks, but Thorold took the season series 4-3.
“I see both teams having a good chance. It’s a pick-em series,” Thorold coach Scott Barnes said.
The Panthers are an older, more physical team while the Hawks are a quick, but younger squad. Both teams also feature solid netminding.
“I don’t think you will see us make too many changes to the way we play,” Barnes added. “We might have to make some adjustments as the series progresses, but I want our guys to play and get some experience and see what happens.
“Size and experience is what they have and we’ll see what we can do to counter act that.”
Game 1 is Tuesday in Pelham followed by Game 2 Thursday in Thorold. Game 3 is Sunday in Pelham with Game 4 Monday, March 4 in Thorold.
Potrecz picks: Panthers in 5
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