Toronto, ON – With 7 games remaining in the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League regular season, 15 teams have clinched berths in the OHL Playoffs and all four division titles have been claimed.
Two playoff series have been confirmed in the Western Conference including the first place Erie Otters who will face the eighth place Sarnia Sting, and the second place Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who will take on the seventh place Flint Firebirds. The fifth place Windsor Spitfires and sixth place Kitchener Rangers have confirmed their final playoff standing however await final outcomes for the Owen Sound Attack and London Knights to determine first round playoff matchups.
In the Eastern Conference, only the first place Peterborough Petes, second place Mississauga Steelheads, and third place Oshawa Generals have confirmed their final standing with all four first round playoff matchups still to be determined.
The season wraps up with six games on Sunday March 19, and one game on Tuesday March 21.
Here’s a closer look at the standings and playoff scenarios to date:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
- Peterborough Petes – 89PTS (42-20-2-3)– 1 game remaining (at OSH)
– Petes have clinched the East Division title and 1st overall in the Eastern Conference, will play either IceDogs or Battalion in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Mississauga Steelheads – 79PTS (33-20-6-7)– 2 games remain (NIAG, SBY)
– Steelheads have clinched the Central Division title and 2nd overall in the Eastern Conference, will play either Wolves or 67’s in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Oshawa Generals – 83PTS (39-23-3-2)– 1 game remaining (PBO)
– Generals have clinched 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, will play either 67’s or Wolves in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Kingston Frontenacs – 73PTS (32-26-5-4)– 1 game remaining (at NB)
– Frontenacs will finish in either 4th or 5th place in the Eastern Conference and will play Bulldogs in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Hamilton Bulldogs – 72PTS (32-27-4-4)– 1 game remaining (at OTT)
– Bulldogs will finish in either 5th or 4th place in the Eastern Conference and will play Frontenacs in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Ottawa 67’s – 60PTS (26-33-7-1)– 1 game remaining (HAM)
– 67’s will finish in either 6th or 7th place in the Eastern Conference, will play either Generals or Steelheads in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Sudbury Wolves – 59PTS (26-34-7-0)– 1 game remaining (at MISS)
– Wolves will finish in either 7th or 6th place in the Eastern Conference, will play either Steelheads or Generals in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Niagara IceDogs – 56PTS (23-34-6-4) – 1 game remaining (at MISS)
– IceDogs need one point or a Battalion loss to clinch 8th place in the Eastern Conference where they would play the Petes (full schedule scenarios below).
- North Bay Battalion – 54PTS (24-37-4-2) – 1 game remaining (KGN)
– Battalion need a win and an IceDogs regulation loss to finish in a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference forcing a tiebreak game which would be played Tuesday March 21 in North Bay.
- Barrie Colts – 41PTS (17-44-6-1)
– Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention and will select 1st overall in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection on April 8.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
- Erie Otters – 103PTS (50-15-2-1)
– Otters have clinched the Midwest Division title as well as the Hamilton Spectator Trophy for 1st overall in the OHL regular season standings. They will play the Sting in 1st round playoffs (full schedule below).
- Soo Greyhounds – 98PTS (47-16-3-1)– 1 games remaining (LDN)
– Greyhounds have clinched the West Division title and 2nd overall in the Western Conference, will play the Firebirds in 1st round playoffs (full schedule below).
- Owen Sound Attack – 100PTS (48-15-2-2)– 1 game remaining (at GUE)
– Attack will finish in either 3rd or 4th place in the Western Conference, will play either Rangers or Spitfires in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- London Knights – 99PTS (46-14-3-4)– 1 game remaining (at SSM)
– Knights will finish in either 4th or 3rd place in the Western Conference, will play either Spitfires or Rangers in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Windsor Spitfires – 90PTS (41-19-5-3)
– Spitfires have clinched 5th place in the Western Conference, will play either Knights or Attack in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Kitchener Rangers – 77PTS (36-27-3-2)
– Rangers have clinched 6th place in the Western Conference, will play either Attack or Knights in 1st round playoffs (full schedule scenarios below).
- Flint Firebirds – 72PTS (32-28-3-5)
– Firebirds have clinched 7th place in the Western Conference and will play the Greyhounds in 1st round playoffs (full schedule below).
- Sarnia Sting – 69PTS (31-30-6-1)
– Sting have clinched 8th place in the Western Conference and will play the Otters in 1st round playoffs (full schedule below).
- Saginaw Spirit – 63PTS (27-32-7-2)
– Spirit have been eliminated from playoff contention, will pick 4th overall in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection on April 8.
- Guelph Storm – 49PTS (21-39-5-2) – 1 games remaining (OS)
– Storm have been eliminated from playoff contention, will pick 2nd overall in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection on April 8.
2017 OHL EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE SCENARIOS:
SERIES A:
Scenario 1 – Peterborough Petes (1) vs. Niagara IceDogs (8)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Sat, Apr 1 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 6, Mon, Apr 3 at Niagara – 7:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Scenario 2 – Peterborough Petes (1) vs. North Bay Battalion (8)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at North Bay – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at North Bay – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Sat, Apr 1 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at North Bay – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Peterborough – 7:05 p.m.
SERIES B:
Scenario 1 – Mississauga Steelheads (2) vs. Sudbury Wolves (7)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Mississauga – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
Scenario 2 – Mississauga Steelheads (2) vs. Ottawa 67’s (7)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Mississauga – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Ottawa – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Mississauga – 7:00 p.m.
SERIES C:
Scenario 1 – Oshawa Generals (3) vs. Ottawa 67’s (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Oshawa – 6:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Ottawa – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Oshawa – 7:05 p.m.
Scenario 2 – Oshawa Generals (3) vs. Sudbury Wolves (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Oshawa – 6:05 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Oshawa – 7:35 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Sudbury – 7:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Oshawa – 7:05 p.m.
SERIES D:
Scenario 1 – Kingston Frontenacs (4) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (5)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at Kingston – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Hamilton – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Scenario 2 – Hamilton Bulldogs (5) vs. Kingston Frontenacs (4)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Mon, Mar 27 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Sat, Apr 1 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
Game 6, Mon, Apr 3 at Kingston – 7:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Hamilton – 7:00 p.m.
2017 OHL WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE SCENARIOS:
SERIES A:
Erie Otters (1) vs. Sarnia Sting (8)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Sarnia – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Erie – 7:00 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Sarnia – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Erie -7:00 p.m.
SERIES B:
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (2) vs. Flint Firebirds (7)
Game 1, Thurs, Mar 23 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Flint – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Flint – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Flint – 4:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07 p. m.
SERIES C:
Scenario 1 – Owen Sound Attack (3) vs. Kitchener Rangers (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Kitchener – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Owen Sound – 7:00 p.m.
Scenario 2 – London Knights (3) vs. Kitchener Rangers (6)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at London – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at London – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Kitchener – 7:00 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at London – 7:30 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Kitchener – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at London – 7:00 p.m.
SERIES D:
Scenario 1 – London Knights (4) vs. Windsor Spitfires (5)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at London – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sun, Mar 26 at London – 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues, Mar 28 at Windsor – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs, Mar 30 at Windsor -7:05 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at London – 7:30 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Windsor – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at London – 7:00 p.m.
Scenario 2 – Owen Sound Attack (4) vs. Windsor Spitfires (5)
Game 1, Fri, Mar 24 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sat, Mar 25 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 3, Mon, Mar 27 at Windsor – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Wed, Mar 29 at Windsor – 7:05 p.m.
Game 5, Fri, Mar 31 at Owen Sound – 7:30 p.m.
Game 6, Sun, Apr 2 at Windsor – 2:00 p.m.
Game 7, Tues, Apr 4 at Owen Sound – 7:00 p.m.
PLAYOFF STRUCTURE:
The top eight teams in each conference qualify for the OHL playoffs with the division leaders ranked one-two in each Conference.
In the first round of the playoffs, first place plays eighth, second plays seventh, third plays sixth and fourth plays fifth in each conference.
Teams are re-seeded within their conference after each round and the division winners are always ranked 1-2 within the conference as long as they progress. The champions from each conference play in the OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The OHL Playoffs are scheduled to begin on the Thursday following the conclusion of the regular season. The first round series must be completed within 13 days; the second round series have 14 days to finish while the Conference Championships are 13 days in length. The OHL Championship Series is 14 days in length.
TIE BREAKING SYSTEM:
If two or more teams are tied for the final OHL playoff position in either conference, sudden-death playoff games will be used to determine the team that advances, with the home team for such tie-breaker game being determined through the OHL standard tie-breaking system listed below.
For all other playoff positions, the following tie-breaking system is in place:
- The team with the most number of wins during the regular season shall be declared higher in the standings.
- If two teams are still tied, the team with the best record in head-to-head competition (based on points including overtime losses) shall be declared higher in the standings. If more than two teams are tied after the first tie-breaker, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other shall be used to determine the standing.
- If still tied, the team with the greater differential between goals scored for and against by clubs having equal standing after the second tie-breaker shall be declared higher in the standings.
SUDDEN-DEATH PLAYOFF FORMULA (FOR FINAL PLAYOFF POSITION):
Between Two Teams: Two teams tied for the final playoff position will play a sudden-death game to be hosted by the centre determined higher in the standings by the OHL tie-breaking system. The winner will be declared higher in the standings.
Between Three Teams for One Playoff Position:
- A sudden-death game will be played between the two teams having the lowest percentage as calculated by dividing the sum of goals ‘for’ plus the total goals ‘against’ into the total goals ‘for’. The home team will be determined by utilizing the OHL tie-breaking system.
- A second sudden-death game will be played between the winner of the preliminary sudden-death game and the remaining team. The home team will be determined by utilizing the OHL tie-breaking system. The winner will be declared higher in the standings.
REGULAR SEASON TROPHIES:
Hamilton Spectator Trophy: Erie Otters
The Otters earned their third Hamilton Spectator Trophy and second straight regular season title with a league-best record of 50-15-2-1 becoming the first CHL team to earn four consecutive 50 win seasons. The Otters also claimed first overall in 2001. The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is awarded to the team that finishes the regular season first overall in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by the Hamilton Spectator in the 1957-58 season. The winner of the Hamilton Spectator Trophy has gone on to win the OHL championship 23 times and the Memorial Cup 11 times.
Emms Trophy (Central Division): Mississauga Steelheads
The Steelheads have earned their first Central Division title in the club’s five year history. This also marks the first division banner in Mississauga since the Majors finished atop the league standings in 2011. Past division titles in all-time franchise history were also achieved in 2004 and 2002 by the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors.
Leyden Trophy (East Division): Peterborough Petes
The Petes have earned their third East Division title following back-to-back wins in 2005-06 however this marks the 11th time in modern history they have finished atop their division. The Petes also won back-to-back Leyden Division titles in 1979-80, 1985-86, 1988-89, and 1992-93.
The Emms and Leyden Trophies were first presented in the 1975-76 season when the OHL was split into divisions with the expansion of the league to 12 teams. The awards originated in recognition of Matt Leyden and Leighton ‘Hap’ Emms for their contributions to junior hockey in Ontario.
Bumbacco Trophy (West Division): Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Greyhounds have earned their third West Division title in four years following back-to-back banner seasons in 2014 and 2015. The Hounds have won a total of six West Division crowns including wins in 2008, 2005, and 1997. The Bumbacco Trophy was inaugurated in 1994-95 when the league realigned into three divisions. The award is named after former Greyhounds’ General Manager Angelo Bumbacco.
Holody Trophy (Midwest Division): Erie Otters
The Otters have earned their third consecutive Midwest Division title and sixth in franchise history following a previous stretch of three consecutive banner seasons from 2000-2002. The Holody Trophy, awarded in recognition of the contributions to the OHL by former Guelph and Owen Sound Platers Governor Joe Holody, was presented following the 1998-99 season for the first time with the realignment of the league into four divisions.
OHL Writers 