Ottawa 67's 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)

[OMG67]

You didn't answer my main question though.

Anyways the Generals are going to want to beat the 67's. Ottawa has had their way with them in recent years including last year's playoff battle. They're going to show up trust me so DC better have his boys ready to play Friday. Ottawa is a great road team so I honestly feel they can win in any rink...

First, I grew up in Whitby so I was a Generals fan through around 1992. Then switched to Ottawa a couple years after I moved here. So, I would have differing opinions on the “playoff records” than you! LOL.

I don’t know what the lifetime series record is but it is around what you stated. That said, it doesn’t really matter. It is not like any of those players other than last year’s team that are still around contributing.

 

[Race Dawg]

First, I grew up in Whitby so I was a Generals fan through around 1992. Then switched to Ottawa a couple years after I moved here. So, I would have differing opinions on the “playoff records” than you! LOL.

I don’t know what the lifetime series record is but it is around what you stated. That said, it doesn’t really matter. It is not like any of those players other than last year’s team that are still around contributing.

Awe so you would have remembered the great 67's comeback of 88 then? Lol Ya I was there behind the Ottawa bench for game 6 with a throng of 67's fans enjoying the then tight confines of the Civic Aud. Man that roof though. So low it was. Probably saw you there lol. Hackett almost stole the Gens the series. Reminded me of Carey price. Andrew Cassles was a machine and game 7 was a blast. Good times...

My wife is from Pickering. The city has changed a lot but for her and personally I know Oshawa fairly well from being out there a lot when we lived in Toronto...

 

[OMG67]

Awe so you would have remembered the great 67's comeback of 88 then? Lol Ya I was there behind the Ottawa bench for game 6 with a throng of 67's fans enjoying the then tight confines of the Civic Aud. Man that roof though. So low it was. Probably saw you there lol. Hackett almost stole the Gens the series. Reminded me of Carey price. Andrew Cassles was a machine and game 7 was a blast. Good times...

My wife is from Pickering. The city has changed a lot but for her and personally I know Oshawa fairly well from being out there a lot when we lived in Toronto...

For some reason my Mom wanted to go to that game so I was SOL. First game all year she went to. Go figure. I stayed home with my then baby sister to keep an eye on her.

 

[HUSH10]

I've been saying all along the team I didn't want Oshawa to play was Ottawa. They seem to always show out against Oshawa and give us a tough time. Oshawa really needs to step up thus series and play their best Hockey.

Oshawa this year was 2-3-3 against Ottawa. now those 3 OT/SO games can obviously be toss ups and Oshawa could very easily have been 5-3 but in the end, Ottawa found the edge that Oshawa didn't.

I agree to what was previously said. This series could very well be a 5 game series but all 1 goal games, should be exciting.

 

[OMG67]

I've been saying all along the team I didn't want Oshawa to play was Ottawa. They seem to always show out against Oshawa and give us a tough time. Oshawa really needs to step up thus series and play their best Hockey.

Oshawa this year was 2-3-3 against Ottawa. now those 3 OT/SO games can obviously be toss ups and Oshawa could very easily have been 5-3 but in the end, Ottawa found the edge that Oshawa didn't.

I agree to what was previously said. This series could very well be a 5 game series but all 1 goal games, should be exciting.

I have a feeling the scoring overall will be low. I think Ottawa’s full court press in the O-Zone without the puck will cause fits for Oshawa BUT I think Oster is a great goalie and the Gens defence will be hard to get inside for the top 4. I think Ottawa will need three lines putting significant pressure on and try to take advantage of the third line and third pairing D-Men.

Ottawa needs to be disciplined. Horrid PK. If they start getting into Penalty trouble, throw it all out the window. Series over quick.

I think the officials will likely let the teams play so 5 on 5 gives Ottawa the advantage I think. If the Officials call it tighter, I think it disadvantages Ottawa. This could seriously come down to how the officials choose to manage the games.

Mayich out for Games 1 and 2. Not good for Ottawa.

 

[PuckStop75]

I think the main point is it isn’t the other team choosing to play that style, it is the 67s that force the opposition into finding ways to execute when the 67’s press heavily and aggressively. Last year, there were two teams capable of stuffing the 67’s and they were North Bay and Peterborough. Both were both just as fast and were bigger. Since there are no teams in the Eastern Conference that are fast and big, it is more up to the 67’s to dictate the pace. Anytime the opposition is in possession of the puck in their defensive zone, Ottawa “should” be on top of them. That team needs to move it quickly.

This is where our perspective on the game and the way Ottawa plays differs.

The opposition players have to understand Ottawa's attack patterns. Once they figure the pattern out they can have success against it. There is a reason no team at the NHL level plays the system with success. Its also really no surprise that two coaches with pro level experience in Mann(Kingston) and Wilson (Petes) have had success against it.

The D core in Oshawa is much more experienced than the team just saw against Brantford, it will be interesting to see if they make the same mistakes.

 

[PuckStop75]

late in the season Ottawa had a brutal stretch where their travel schedule and number of games was intense. Wasn't always against the best teams but that doesn't change the impact the schedule and travel had on them. In the playoffs the team is looking much fresher than they were in those last few weeks. Against Oshawa they need to keep doing what they were doing and make the adjustments on the fly. It doesn't mean abandoning what got them here but I expect Oshawa to be more efficient in moving the puck through the zones then we saw from Brantford.

 

[beastintheeast]

Interesting to play Oshawa. I think this is going to be a rough series.

Having Mayich out is going to be a hole, but I think it is going to give Mayer a chance to show his stuff. Also, it is going to give us a rested work horse for game 3-4.

Does anyone know if the team is going to get a hotell in the Oshawa area for the weekend or are they going to do the back and forth.

 

[OMG67]

This is where our perspective on the game and the way Ottawa plays differs.

The opposition players have to understand Ottawa's attack patterns. Once they figure the pattern out they can have success against it. There is a reason no team at the NHL level plays the system with success. Its also really no surprise that two coaches with pro level experience in Mann(Kingston) and Wilson (Petes) have had success against it.

The D core in Oshawa is much more experienced than the team just saw against Brantford, it will be interesting to see if they make the same mistakes.

You have to have the horses to be “able” to counter it. The main factor is speed. The second factor is size. You need both of those OR be just as fast with the puck as Ottawa is without the puck. The only other way is to get space behind the net to reset but that still requires space, otherwise there is a guy tailing you.

This is why Peterborough and Morth Bay were successful last year. They were both fast and bigger. That could match the pace and lean on the smaller 67s.

So, from my perspective, if Ottawa were to lean on the opposition in the O-Zone, it isn’t as simple as figuring out a way to mitigate against it. For example, Ottawa plays that way because they cannot compete in a heavy game. The heavy game cannot compete against a speed game because you can’t hit what you can’t catch. So, does Oshawa have the ability to execute a sufficient plan to mitigate the Ottawa pressure? I question their ability.

To me, it comes down to Oshawa’s ability to get out of their zone OR once they do get out of their zone and into Ottawa’s zone, they can take advantage. THIS is where Oshawa may be better. Ottawa will reduce the chances against by playing an uptempo style. That won’t eliminate the opposition from being successful, just more difficult leaving their zone.

Oshawa had a lot of difficulty with Beau Jelsma in the first series. HE plays like Ottawa as a team plays. I am looking at that and trying to figure out how impactful that indicator is.

 

[ScoutLife4]

You have to have the horses to be “able” to counter it. The main factor is speed. The second factor is size. You need both of those OR be just as fast with the puck as Ottawa is without the puck. The only other way is to get space behind the net to reset but that still requires space, otherwise there is a guy tailing you.

This is why Peterborough and Morth Bay were successful last year. They were both fast and bigger. That could match the pace and lean on the smaller 67s.

So, from my perspective, if Ottawa were to lean on the opposition in the O-Zone, it isn’t as simple as figuring out a way to mitigate against it. For example, Ottawa plays that way because they cannot compete in a heavy game. The heavy game cannot compete against a speed game because you can’t hit what you can’t catch. So, does Oshawa have the ability to execute a sufficient plan to mitigate the Ottawa pressure? I question their ability.

To me, it comes down to Oshawa’s ability to get out of their zone OR once they do get out of their zone and into Ottawa’s zone, they can take advantage. THIS is where Oshawa may be better. Ottawa will reduce the chances against by playing an uptempo style. That won’t eliminate the opposition from being successful, just more difficult leaving their zone.

Oshawa had a lot of difficulty with Beau Jelsma in the first series. HE plays like Ottawa as a team plays. I am looking at that and trying to figure out how impactful that indicator is.

I always see Ottawa as a puck position team that if they are able to outskate opponents they win.
I think Oshawa is going to go into this and make it as psychical as they can to try and interrupt Ottawa's puck possession with body contact.
One thing I've noticed about Ottawa is they try and avoid contact in the corners when they are pursuit of the puck. -If i was Oshawa I would work the puck down low / in the corner / behind the net to try and make them uncomfortable as possible.
Oshawa also has some elite skaters in Senecke, Kumpulainen and Danford that will pose problems for Ottawa's puck possession.
Oshawa in 6 is my prediction.

 

[ottsabrefan]

Brantford was a solid opponent who will be tough to deal with next season. They have some meatheads for sure but battled hard all series. Good show.

Next on the Generals (again). What would a post-season run look like without playing Oshawa. Lol

I looked up the last time Kingston played Ottawa in the playoffs and it was in 1981!!

 

[OMG67]

I always see Ottawa as a puck position team that if they are able to outskate opponents they win.
I think Oshawa is going to go into this and make it as psychical as they can to try and interrupt Ottawa's puck possession with body contact.
One thing I've noticed about Ottawa is they try and avoid contact in the corners when they are pursuit of the puck. -If i was Oshawa I would work the puck down low / in the corner / behind the net to try and make them uncomfortable as possible.
Oshawa also has some elite skaters in Senecke, Kumpulainen and Danford that will pose problems for Ottawa's puck possession.
Oshawa in 6 is my prediction.

That was what I was thinking as well. If they can work the puck low on the reverse and get set up behind the net, the net becomes an obstacle. The only issue with what you are suggesting is although Ottawa is timid int he corners, it is only because they aren’t the first on it. They allow the opposition to be first on it and then pressure once they have possession. They take a route that allows them to use the stick to pressure the retriever no matter which way they turn. Int he regular season, they tend to take some more aggressive penalties but in the postseason, those penalties are called less. So they are getting away with more stick work than usual. That is helping to mitigate against size because they don’t have to engage as closely to be effective.

 

[ScoutLife4]

That was what I was thinking as well. If they can work the puck low on the reverse and get set up behind the net, the net becomes an obstacle. The only issue with what you are suggesting is although Ottawa is timid int he corners, it is only because they aren’t the first on it. They allow the opposition to be first on it and then pressure once they have possession. They take a route that allows them to use the stick to pressure the retriever no matter which way they turn. Int he regular season, they tend to take some more aggressive penalties but in the postseason, those penalties are called less. So they are getting away with more stick work than usual. That is helping to mitigate against size because they don’t have to engage as closely to be effective.

I likely haven't watched Ottawa as much as their own fans have but I've viewed them around 6-8 times this season.
One thing that stood out is their inability to be psychical in the corners during puck pursuit and puck battles. -They enter the corners a lot with the stick instead of the body.
I rarely see them make opponents pay in the corners / finish their checks in that area.
It was really evident to me in some of the games with Peterborough they would fly by the corner and hope to slap it free with their stick and make no body contact.
Could be a strategy against the Petes as i didn't get to catch the last couple games they played Kingston and Oshawa.

 

[OMG67]

I likely haven't watched Ottawa as much as their own fans have but I've viewed them around 6-8 times this season.
One thing that stood out is their inability to be psychical in the corners during puck pursuit and puck battles. -They enter the corners a lot with the stick instead of the body.
I rarely see them make opponents pay in the corners / finish their checks in that area.
It was really evident to me in some of the games with Peterborough they would fly by the corner and hope to slap it free with their stick and make no body contact.
Could be a strategy against the Petes as i didn't get to catch the last couple games they played Kingston and Oshawa.

The main issue with Ottawa was their Jeckel and Hyde performances. For the casual viewers, it really depends on which of the two they saw. I know the Kingston performances were all Jeckel’s. Totally disinterested hockey. They let the opposition come to them which is lethal for Ottawa.

Your assessment about the corners is mostly accurate. They won’t engage physically because quite simply, they’d lose the physical battle. But, when they are playing their game, they are super slippery and lightning quick so it forces the opposition to make a play immediately. A lot of time that leads to a turnover or the puck getting to a spot on the ice where a physical battle (50-50) play doesn’t require physicality. For example, they may go into the corner and force the opposition to head up boards where there is a pinching D-Man or winger there forcing the puck carrier to move it. It is so quick that the puck ends up either int he neutral zone on the safe play or the open ice where the speed of the 67’s tends to eliminate open ice physicality.

The only way slower teams (on the whole) can work over the 67’s is by keeping the puck along the end boards where the net becomes an obstacle.

All of this is why Ottawa had a really solid record vs the top teams in the OHL. They played the top teams close. They did that in the first half with Gardiner as the only active Centre. Maybe Lawrence was a centre too but he was big and slow and was a real mismatch to their system.

Oshawa, as a whole, is a slow team. They have some really solid players but they are younger and slower overall. That is why Beau Jelsma caused them fits. HE’s a water bug. Ottawa has four of those guys spread over three lines. I firmly believe it is that exact type of play that exposes Oshawa’s lack of foot speed. They get pressured in their defensive zone heavy and it causes turnovers and Ottawa is very quick to reenter the zone and work the puck.

What Oshawa would need to do is be aware they are going to turn over the puck and not give Ottawa a sniff at the centre of the ice int he defensive zone. The problem with that is it requires them to hang back which will affect their ability to gain puck possession. That will make it a very low scoring series. That may be the best way for Oshawa though. Hope to get enough PP’s that they can expose Ottawa’s poor PK.

This is all why I see a series of very tight one goal games. It could be a four game series with three OT games. Or it could be a seven gamer with five one goal regulation games. Who knows?

 

[Race Dawg]

I looked up the last time Kingston played Ottawa in the playoffs and it was in 1981!!

Yes. Mike Moffat (sp?) and Jim Ralph in nets.

 

[Race Dawg]

The main issue with Ottawa was their Jeckel and Hyde performances. For the casual viewers, it really depends on which of the two they saw. I know the Kingston performances were all Jeckel’s. Totally disinterested hockey. They let the opposition come to them which is lethal for Ottawa.

Your assessment about the corners is mostly accurate. They won’t engage physically because quite simply, they’d lose the physical battle. But, when they are playing their game, they are super slippery and lightning quick so it forces the opposition to make a play immediately. A lot of time that leads to a turnover or the puck getting to a spot on the ice where a physical battle (50-50) play doesn’t require physicality. For example, they may go into the corner and force the opposition to head up boards where there is a pinching D-Man or winger there forcing the puck carrier to move it. It is so quick that the puck ends up either int he neutral zone on the safe play or the open ice where the speed of the 67’s tends to eliminate open ice physicality.

The only way slower teams (on the whole) can work over the 67’s is by keeping the puck along the end boards where the net becomes an obstacle.

All of this is why Ottawa had a really solid record vs the top teams in the OHL. They played the top teams close. They did that in the first half with Gardiner as the only active Centre. Maybe Lawrence was a centre too but he was big and slow and was a real mismatch to their system.

Oshawa, as a whole, is a slow team. They have some really solid players but they are younger and slower overall. That is why Beau Jelsma caused them fits. HE’s a water bug. Ottawa has four of those guys spread over three lines. I firmly believe it is that exact type of play that exposes Oshawa’s lack of foot speed. They get pressured in their defensive zone heavy and it causes turnovers and Ottawa is very quick to reenter the zone and work the puck.

What Oshawa would need to do is be aware they are going to turn over the puck and not give Ottawa a sniff at the centre of the ice int he defensive zone. The problem with that is it requires them to hang back which will affect their ability to gain puck possession. That will make it a very low scoring series. That may be the best way for Oshawa though. Hope to get enough PP’s that they can expose Ottawa’s poor PK.

This is all why I see a series of very tight one goal games. It could be a four game series with three OT games. Or it could be a seven gamer with five one goal regulation games. Who knows?

There is an old adage that can't hit what you can't catch. Reminds of prior Ottawa teams of the 1990's.

If have a Porsche Turbo S I'm putting buses on that Coyote 5.0 cause I'm much lighter (power to weight ratio)

 

[PuckStop75]

You have to have the horses to be “able” to counter it. The main factor is speed. The second factor is size. You need both of those OR be just as fast with the puck as Ottawa is without the puck. The only other way is to get space behind the net to reset but that still requires space, otherwise there is a guy tailing you.

This is why Peterborough and Morth Bay were successful last year. They were both fast and bigger. That could match the pace and lean on the smaller 67s.

So, from my perspective, if Ottawa were to lean on the opposition in the O-Zone, it isn’t as simple as figuring out a way to mitigate against it. For example, Ottawa plays that way because they cannot compete in a heavy game. The heavy game cannot compete against a speed game because you can’t hit what you can’t catch. So, does Oshawa have the ability to execute a sufficient plan to mitigate the Ottawa pressure? I question their ability.

To me, it comes down to Oshawa’s ability to get out of their zone OR once they do get out of their zone and into Ottawa’s zone, they can take advantage. THIS is where Oshawa may be better. Ottawa will reduce the chances against by playing an uptempo style. That won’t eliminate the opposition from being successful, just more difficult leaving their zone.

Oshawa had a lot of difficulty with Beau Jelsma in the first series. HE plays like Ottawa as a team plays. I am looking at that and trying to figure out how impactful that indicator is.

Its pretty disingenuous to suggest the team that finished first in the conference doesn't have the horses to compete with the team that finished 6th. I believe Ottawa has the skill to compete and beat Oshawa in the series but its not like Ottawa is so good that Oshawa will have to do something extraordinary to beat them.

Keys for Ottawa are solid pursuit on the forecheck and as important as anything: capitalizing on the chances they get from turnovers. The Jekyll and Hyde routine has been as much about the absence of scoring depth which was better in the Brantford series. Next Ottawa has to be disciplined in the neutral zone and limit the number of odd man rushes caused by bad pinches at the offensive blueline. Lastly, figure out how to control their own net front.

 

[OMG67]

Its pretty disingenuous to suggest the team that finished first in the conference doesn't have the horses to compete with the team that finished 6th. I believe Ottawa has the skill to compete and beat Oshawa in the series but its not like Ottawa is so good that Oshawa will have to do something extraordinary to beat them.

Keys for Ottawa are solid pursuit on the forecheck and as important as anything: capitalizing on the chances they get from turnovers. The Jekyll and Hyde routine has been as much about the absence of scoring depth which was better in the Brantford series. Next Ottawa has to be disciplined in the neutral zone and limit the number of odd man rushes caused by bad pinches at the offensive blueline. Lastly, figure out how to control their own net front.

You took that comment the wrong way. It wasn’t like Oshawa is a bad team. They have had issues all season with the speedy small players and not just on Ottawa. They are still relatively young. This really isn’t “their year.” Next year is their true compete window. There were six teams that all very well could have finished first under slightly different circumstance. I really don’t view the Oshawa Generals as a #1 Seed. The difference between London and Oshawa is 15 points. Both are #1 seeds. The difference between Ottawa and Oshawa is 9 points. I mean, the reality is, all six of those top 6 in the Eastern Conference are/were capable. The difference is who is hot now?

Brantford limped into the playoffs. They were likely pretty tired. Oshawa went in on a 12 game heater but lost two games to Barrie? Again, Beau Jelsma and Hillenbrand made that a series. Ottawa has four Jelsma’s and an equally capable goalie. If the Generals had a hard time containing Jelsma, they will have a harder time containing a team with a Jelsma type player on each of the top 3 lines.

The Generals are slow. Sure, they have a couple “not slow” players and Lockhart. But the reality is they are a slower team and they will have a hard time containing Ottawa PROVIDED Ottawa plays 60 minutes of full court press in the O-Zone. That is the key for Ottawa. If they don’t, then Oshawa takes over the pace of the game and dictates the play. If Ottawa allows Oshawa to dictate the pace of play, Ottawa is DEAD. This is why I say, it comes down to Ottawa executing. If they execute, they will have a great chance of winning the series with four one goal games in their favour.

Oshawa cannot strategize their way to mitigating against Ottawa’s forecheck. They don’t have the players (horses) that allow it. They need to allow Ottawa to keep puck possession but keep them out of the centre ice in Oshawa’s D-Zone. Force them to score from outside. They need to hang back and not try to exit the zone quickly. Simply try not to get scored on 5 on 5. Then in PP situations, unload on Ottawa. If you can’t contain the forecheck to maintain possession then keep them to the outside. If that is the “strategy” then I can see that working for Oshawa.

Similarly, if anyone is expecting Ottawa to play better in front of their net all of a sudden, it isn’t happening. Just like I don’t expect Oshawa to “speed up,” I don’t expect Ottawa to find better defence down low.

So, can Oshawa win games with taking advantage of Ottawa down low knowing they will likely have 35% puck possession or can Ottawa take advantage of 65% puck possession and win the games at 5 on 5? To me, that is the real question in this series. IMO, “IF” Ottawa plays their game, they can win four one goal games and the series. How many games will that take? I don’t know. My gut feeling says six. But, it could also be four one goal games for Oshawa in FOUR games. This series could go either way. The only thing I am reasonably certain of is the games will all be close and relatively low scoring, just like the season series between the two teams. Four games were decided by a goal and three of them in OT. I think the series will lean that way.

 

[Race Dawg]

You took that comment the wrong way. It wasn’t like Oshawa is a bad team. They have had issues all season with the speedy small players and not just on Ottawa. They are still relatively young. This really isn’t “their year.” Next year is their true compete window. There were six teams that all very well could have finished first under slightly different circumstance. I really don’t view the Oshawa Generals as a #1 Seed. The difference between London and Oshawa is 15 points. Both are #1 seeds. The difference between Ottawa and Oshawa is 9 points. I mean, the reality is, all six of those top 6 in the Eastern Conference are/were capable. The difference is who is hot now?

Brantford limped into the playoffs. They were likely pretty tired. Oshawa went in on a 12 game heater but lost two games to Barrie? Again, Beau Jelsma and Hillenbrand made that a series. Ottawa has four Jelsma’s and an equally capable goalie. If the Generals had a hard time containing Jelsma, they will have a harder time containing a team with a Jelsma type player on each of the top 3 lines.

The Generals are slow. Sure, they have a couple “not slow” players and Lockhart. But the reality is they are a slower team and they will have a hard time containing Ottawa PROVIDED Ottawa plays 60 minutes of full court press in the O-Zone. That is the key for Ottawa. If they don’t, then Oshawa takes over the pace of the game and dictates the play. If Ottawa allows Oshawa to dictate the pace of play, Ottawa is DEAD. This is why I say, it comes down to Ottawa executing. If they execute, they will have a great chance of winning the series with four one goal games in their favour.

Oshawa cannot strategize their way to mitigating against Ottawa’s forecheck. They don’t have the players (horses) that allow it. They need to allow Ottawa to keep puck possession but keep them out of the centre ice in Oshawa’s D-Zone. Force them to score from outside. They need to hang back and not try to exit the zone quickly. Simply try not to get scored on 5 on 5. Then in PP situations, unload on Ottawa. If you can’t contain the forecheck to maintain possession then keep them to the outside. If that is the “strategy” then I can see that working for Oshawa.

Similarly, if anyone is expecting Ottawa to play better in front of their net all of a sudden, it isn’t happening. Just like I don’t expect Oshawa to “speed up,” I don’t expect Ottawa to find better defence down low.

So, can Oshawa win games with taking advantage of Ottawa down low knowing they will likely have 35% puck possession or can Ottawa take advantage of 65% puck possession and win the games at 5 on 5? To me, that is the real question in this series. IMO, “IF” Ottawa plays their game, they can win four one goal games and the series. How many games will that take? I don’t know. My gut feeling says six. But, it could also be four one goal games for Oshawa in FOUR games. This series could go either way. The only thing I am reasonably certain of is the games will all be close and relatively low scoring, just like the season series between the two teams. Four games were decided by a goal and three of them in OT. I think the series will lean that way.

The thing is that the regular season head-to-head matches mean little.

The 67's were stellar pretty well much all season until they faltered in February where as the Gens went on a terror down the stretch.

I think however both teams are very good on the road so home ice won't be as much of a factor. Except however Oshawa hasn't won in Ottawa 3 years. Whereas the 67's are quite comfortable playing in the Tribute Centre and the 67's traditionally are lights out at home in the playoffs.

 

[OMG67]

The thing is that the regular season head-to-head matches mean little.

The 67's were stellar pretty well much all season until they faltered in February where as the Gens went on a terror down the stretch.

I think however both teams are very good on the road so home ice won't be as much of a factor. Except however Oshawa hasn't won in Ottawa 3 years. Whereas the 67's are quite comfortable playing in the Tribute Centre and the 67's traditionally are lights out at home in the playoffs.

Regular season records aren’t meaningful but the way they lose/win is. The fact that Oshawa is relatively young at the top of their roster is also meaningful. Most of their best players aren’t 19-20. Roobroeck, Torrance, Lockhart and Rolofs are their only older forwards. Maybe include McIntyre as well? He’s probably playing a big enough role to include in that group. The back end has Oster in net with D’Amato and Punnett? Stewart is decent as well. That really isn’t a lot of experience.

Ottawa has more experience. A little more playoff experience as well.

Oshawa is bigger and had 9 more points int he regular season. A lot of the intangibles go in Ottawa’s favour.

Barrie gave up the most regular season goals of all 16 playoff teams, yet Oshawa only managed to score 17 goals in 6 games: 2 into empty nets, 1 shorthanded and 7 on the Powerplay. That means they scored only SEVEN even strength goals in the series. That is quite the stat. Ottawa scored 17 even strength goals against a statistically better team. No matter how you look at round one, Oshawa was not impressive. Sure, maybe the Barrie goalies stood on his head or maybe they made it easier for the goalie to make saves?

If Ottawa stays out of the box and plays a strong forecheck game, they should win the series. If they are undisciplined and allow Oshawa to come at them like they played in February, they will lose the series without much effort on Oshawa’s part. To me, this series is in the hands of Ottawa to win or lose more than it is in Oshawa’s hands.

 

[beastintheeast]

First, I grew up in Whitby so I was a Generals fan through around 1992. Then switched to Ottawa a couple years after I moved here. So, I would have differing opinions on the “playoff records” than you! LOL.

I don’t know what the lifetime series record is but it is around what you stated. That said, it doesn’t really matter. It is not like any of those players other than last year’s team that are still around contributing.

LOL . It is surprising how many of us are fans who ended up cheering for a different team. I started out in Kingston as a Canadians fan. My uncle used to hate going to Ottawa games with us because I was so quiet. Also, I wore either a CDN jersey or a Bruins yellow and black coat LOL

Peter Lee and I discussed how ruthless things were during the Canadians' run. That was when the Ottawa-Kingston rivalry was at its best.

 

[OMG67]

With respect to this 2nd round series, Oshawa may be the #1 seed but if you were to drop the weakest two teams out of the West and inserted Oshawa and Ottawa, it would be the 4th seed playing the 6th seed. It will be close. I I know a lot of people point to 6th vs 1st but although that may be true this year, the narrow difference this year is an anomaly. This really is more like a 3 vs 6 series, not a 1 vs 6 series. This isn’t London vs Guelph with a 31 point gap.

 

[Race Dawg]

LOL . It is surprising how many of us are fans who ended up cheering for a different team. I started out in Kingston as a Canadians fan. My uncle used to hate going to Ottawa games with us because I was so quiet. Also, I wore either a CDN jersey or a Bruins yellow and black coat LOL

Peter Lee and I discussed how ruthless things were during the Canadians' run. That was when the Ottawa-Kingston rivalry was at its best.

I think who you decide to cheer for depends on a lot of factors like family association, city where you live and likeability. If you were born in Ottawa and were surrounded by the hockey culture of that city (friends, media etc...) then chances are you're a Sens fan. That factor increases drastically if your Dad is also a Sens fan UNLESS good ol Dad is an avid Habs or Bruins fan then I could see a conflicting notion.

I grew up in the very early 70's and the 67's were the only hockey game in town so naturally I was a Poles fan. It was unheard of to have anyone in Ottawa cheer for the other team unless you actually drive to the rink from the opposing city or your kid played for the visitors.
Note: I was also a Bruins until I switched to the Sens in the 90's.
When I lived in Nor Cal I started going to Sharks games but still cheered for the Sens first.

But with the 67's even though I was a Sens fan the Ottawa OHL team was still number one.

Now as I no longer live any where near Ottawa it's hard to follow the 67's from Muskoka TBH. It was easier when I lived in TO but that is another story.

 

[OMG67]

I think who you decide to cheer for depends on a lot of factors like family association, city where you live and likeability. If you were born in Ottawa and were surrounded by the hockey culture of that city (friends, media etc...) then chances are you're a Sens fan. That factor increases drastically if your Dad is also a Sens fan UNLESS good ol Dad is an avid Habs or Bruins fan then I could see a conflicting.

I grew up in the very early 70's and the 67's were the only hockey game in town so naturally I was a Poles fan. It was unheard of to have anyone in Ottawa cheer for the other team unless you actually drive to the rink from the opposing city or your kid played for the visitors.
Note: I was also a Bruins until I switched to the Sens in the 90's.
When I lived in Nor Cal I started going to Sharks games but still cheered for the Sens first.

But with the 67's even though I was a Sens fan the Ottawa OHL team was still number one.

Now as I no longer live any where near Ottawa it's hard to follow the 67's from Muskoka TBH. It was easier when I lived in TO but that is another story.

For me, I was a Leafs and Generals fan growing up. I moved to Ottawa in 1990 and by 1993, I was a 67’s and Leafs Fan. The Generals were no longer accessible and the 67’s were so it made sense to change affiliation, especially when the players graduate so quickly. I am still a Leafs Fan because the Leafs are accessible on TV.

If I were in the same situation today with the CHLTV and I could get all the Generals Games, it is likely I would remain a Generals Fan. Things were different back in 1990. Rogers TV wasn’t televising games outside their local market. So, the Generals Home Games would only be vailable in Durham Region. Their Road games weren’t available even if they were broadcast in a Rogers territory like Ottawa. It wasn’t until Dick Creamer pushed the Rogers guys to open up the market and show games cross regions. That was around 1995 or so. We’d then get out of town 67’s games broadcast on Ottawa Rgers stations IF it were a Rogers territory where they played. Gradually they added the Shaw region and then later the American Regional TV broadcasts. CHL TV then took that concept digital on an Internet platform.

 

[PuckStop75]

With respect to this 2nd round series, Oshawa may be the #1 seed but if you were to drop the weakest two teams out of the West and inserted Oshawa and Ottawa, it would be the 4th seed playing the 6th seed. It will be close. I I know a lot of people point to 6th vs 1st but although that may be true this year, the narrow difference this year is an anomaly. This really is more like a 3 vs 6 series, not a 1 vs 6 series. This isn’t London vs Guelph with a 31 point gap.

Lets not degrade what Oshawa accomplished in the regular season, 1st place is 1st place place no matter how you blend it up, they all play a 68 game season and the team with the best record earns it. The regular season means nothing once playoff hockey starts, Ottawa was 33pts better than the Petes last year and we know how that turned out.