Western Conference Round 2 Preview

(1) Guelph Storm Vs (4) London Knights

What a series this is going to be !! Let me start with Guelph, Guelph looked strong in the first round vs Plymouth, but also looked as if they where just going through the motions waiting for the real playoff journey to begin, an that lazy play cost them a game vs Plymouth. Without arguably their best overall player in Brock McGinn and highly touted sophomore Robbi Fabbri injured the Storm depth has been cut down a bit. They still have loads of offensive talent, but without those two guys up front I believe the playing field has been leveled a bit. The Storm D-Core is a real strength an it will need to continue to be as the team seems to lack some confidence in their goaltenders and as we know London has a potent 4 line offensive attack.
London went through arch rival Windsor with relative ease, which was unexpected. I truly felt Windsor had more in them then a 4 game sweep. London lost starting goalie Anthony Stolarz to an 8 games suspension so he will be unavailable for round 2. The Knights also look to have lost veteran D-Man Zach Bell
As he was stretchered off this ice in game 4 in Windsor. With the Knighta D-Core thinned an their starting goalie out, this could quickly become a high scoring series. Guelph looks to have the upper hand in this series as they did all season, but don't count out London's playoff experience and willingness to battle.
This series will go 7 games, giving a prediction here is tough, but ill go with Guelph in 7.

(2) Soo Sault Marie Greyhounds vs (3) Erie Otters

Another Series that will be an absolute battle ! The Soo did away with Owen Sound with relative ease in a series that I thought would be much closer, but that just shows the true strength of the surprising greyhounds. Erie struggled a bit with Saginaw, however their potent offensive attack was able to lead them to victory.
The Greyhounds are far better defensively then the Spirit so if Erie plans to play from behind all series they'll find themselves ousted in round 2. If they play the game that got them to this point they should have the upper hand. The Otters have arguably the most offensive top 6 forward core in the OHL, led by OHL
Scoring leader Connor Brown. Dane Fox, Brendan Gaunce, Connor McDavid, Andre Burakovsky and Michael Curtis round out their top 6. The Otters will need a better effort from Oscar Dansk in round 2 as he looked shaky at times.
As for the greyhounds, there playing with house money, no one expected them to be here and no one expects them to upset the otters. This team despite their high finish an solid record is still far under rated. Guys like Gaudet, Bunting, Moore, & Watling are under rated players and contribute to the overall game in many ways not just on the score sheet. Then you got you big names like Tolchinsky, Speers, McCann, Fristch, Nurse and Murray. Look for the Greyhounds to surprise many OHL fans in this round and take the 2nd round series in 7 games