Playoff Picture Getting Clearer

With about ten games remaining for each team in the Ontario Hockey League, the playoff picture is becoming clearer, at least for the Western Conference. All eight playoff spots in the west have been claimed; the only thing left to decide is who will play who in the first round.

The Kitchener Rangers remain on top in the west and are just 3 wins away from clinching that spot and earning home ice advantage through to the Western Conference final. Another 3 wins will give them home ice advantage in the OHL final should they reach that stage. The bottom half of the standings are fairly close with the last three playoff bound teams within 2 points of each other with a game in hand on the leaders.

The Belleville Bulls are trying to distance themselves from the rest of the Eastern Conference and have an eight point lead on the second place Oshawa Generals. The only other two teams from the east that have clinched a playoff berth are the Brampton Battalion and the Niagara IceDogs. The Kingston Frontenacs are playing the role of spoiler well as they beat three playoff bound teams in their last six games. (As a side note the Frontenacs played their first game in their new arena, the K-Rock Centre, last night and lost a tough game to the Bulls). Ottawa and Peterborough are struggling and looking at the playoffs as a new season while Sudbury is a Peterborough win away from being eliminated from the playoffs.

As the season ends, the level of play will definately pick up as teams try to avoid playing the top teams by becoming a top team themselves. Teams to avoid for many will be the conference leading Rangers and Bulls and the third place team from the west, the Windsor Spitfires, who are dedicating the rest of the season to their fallen teammate, Mickey "Mouse" Renaud (October 5, 1988 - Febraury 18, 2008). The end of this year's season and the entire playoff's will showcase some inspired hockey and will be a real treat to watch.