Great Lakes Playoffs Round Two Preview
Round two of the Great Lakes Junior C playoffs is about to get underway. CKSN has analysis, predictions, and schedules for both semi-finals series’.
Blenheim Blades vs. Belle River Canadiens
After storming into the opening round of the Great Lakes Junior C playoffs, and stumbling out of their series with the Mooretown Flags, the Blenheim Blades will need to be more consistent in round two if they hope to upset the Belle River Canadiens. Veteran Justin Rossignol had a strong first series, but regular season leader, and second leading scorer in the Great Lakes Cam Aitken was fifth in team scoring through the six game series. Expect Aitken to step up his game and be a contributor. Rookie Drew Marlatt will also need to be counted on more offensively in the second round for Blenheim to beat the Canadiens. Former Chatham Maroons defensemen Ben Pataki and Connor Annett will need to play a key shut down role, and quarterback the Blades’ attack. Finally, one of Blenheim’s two goaltenders, Eric Stewardson or Adam Leboeuf, needs to step up and grab the number one position for the remainder of the playoffs, as goaltending became a concern as their opening series moved on.
Belle River needed seven games to beat upstart Amherstburg, including two overtime wins. The Canadiens are battle tested, but may come in tired if the Blades can hang strong in the opening games. Belle River took the season series against Blenheim 3-2.
Game 1 – 7:30 Tuesday, February 18 @ Belle river
Game 2 – 7:30 Wednesday, February 19 @ Blenheim
Game 3 – 7:30 Friday, February 21 @ Belle river
Game 4 – 7:15 Sunday February 23 @ Blenheim
Game 5 – 7:30 Tuesday February 25 @ Belle river (if necessary)
Game 6 – 7:30 Thursday February 27 @ Blenheim (if necessary)
Game 7 – 7:30 Friday February 28 @ Belle river (if necessary)
CKSN Prediction: Blenheim in 7 games.
Wheatley Sharks vs. Essex 73s
The Essex 73s were dominant over Dresden, and will give Wheatley everything they can handle in the second round. The Sharks have always relied on good goaltending in the playoffs, and Connor MacKinnon will need to be spectacular, as he was in the opening round, if the Sharks have a hope of stealing games, let alone the series.
Wheatley beat Essex twice in the regular season, more than any other team, and lost twice by a single goal. Essex had to face their toughest opponent at some point, and they’ll get the Sharks, lead offensively by Jon Woelk in the semi-finals.
Game 1 – 7:15 Tuesday, February 18 @ Essex
Game 2 – 7:30 Wednesday, February 19 @ Wheatley
Game 3 – Date & Time TBA @ Essex
Game 4 – 7:30 Monday, February 24 @ Wheatley
Game 5 – 7:15 Tuesday, February 25 @ Essex (if necessary)
Game 6 – 7:30 Saturday, March 1 @ Wheatley (if necessary)
Game 7 – TBD Sunday, March 2 @ Essex (if necessary)
CKSN Prediction: Essex in 5 games.