Hamilton Bulldogs (1) vs Ottawa 67’s (8)
| Hamilton | Ottawa | |
| Season Series | 5-0-0-0 | 0-5-0-0 |
| Home record | 22-9-0-3 | 17-11-4-2 |
| Road record | 21-9-4-0 | 13-18-2-1 |
| Goals for | 252 | 225 |
| Goals against | 207 | 260 |
| Powerplay | 24.6% | 16.3% |
| Penalty kill | 77.1% | 78.8% |
| PP vs opponent | 19.2% | 14.3% |
| PK vs Opponent | 85.7% | 80.8% |
| Leading scorer | Chmelevski (35-41-76) | Thomas (24-51-75) |
| Leading after 2nd | 33-2-0-2 | 15-1-2-0 |
| Trailing after 2nd | 6-15-2-0 | 9-24-4-2 |
| Last 10 games | 7-2-1-0 | 4-5-1-0 |
Only the London Knights have as many players on the roster ranked by National Hockey League Central Scouting as the Ottawa 67’s. They include Merrick Rippon, Sam Bitten, Mitchell Hoelscher, Carter Robertson, Kody Clark and Kevin Bahl. For the Hamilton Bulldogs, only backup goaltender Nick Donofrio is ranked by Central Scouting, and barring an injury or collapse by Kaden Fulcher, will likely not see any game time.
Prediction: Hamilton in 4 games
Barrie Colts (2) vs Mississauga Steelheads (7)
| Barrie | Mississauga | |
| Season Series | 2-4-0-0 | 4-2-0-0 |
| Home record | 22-9-2-0 | 22-11-0-1 |
| Road record | 20-12-2-0 | 11-21-1-1 |
| Goals for | 297 | 251 |
| Goals against | 229 | 250 |
| Powerplay | 22.8% | 25.5% |
| Penalty kill | 79.3% | 78.4% |
| PP vs opponent | 16.7% | 33.3% |
| PK vs Opponent | 66.7% | 83.3% |
| Leading scorer | Luchuk (50-65-115) | Hague (35-43-78) |
| Leading after 2nd | 31-2-2-0 | 25-2-0-0 |
| Trailing after 2nd | 4-17-1-0 | 4-28-1-2 |
| Last 10 games | 8-0-2-0 | 6-4-0-0 |
The Barrie Colts are led by superstar draft eligible Andrei Svechnikov and rugged defenseman Tyler Tucker, who are ranked by NHL Central Scouting. For the Mississauga Steelheads it Ryan McLeod and goaltender Jacob Ingham. The Steelheads won the season series, but they are going to have to win one on the road if they are going to upset the Colts.
Prediction: Barrie in 6 games
Kingston Frontenacs (3) vs North Bay Battalion (6)
| Kingston | North Bay | |
| Season Series | 3-1-0-0 | 1-2-0-1 |
| Home record | 22-6-5-1 | 18-9-5-2 |
| Road record | 14-17-1-2 | 12-19-2-1 |
| Goals for | 243 | 213 |
| Goals against | 202 | 237 |
| Powerplay | 25.7% | 19.9% |
| Penalty kill | 84.7% | 79.2% |
| PP vs opponent | 30.0% | 22.2% |
| PK vs Opponent | 77.8% | 70.0% |
| Leading scorer | Robertson (41-46-87) | Brazeau (39-36-75) |
| Leading after 2nd | 25-3-2-2 | 18-3-2-0 |
| Trailing after 2nd | 5-17-2-0 | 6-22-2-2 |
| Last 10 games | 4-5-1-0 | 3-6-0-1 |
The Fronts have four draft eligible players, but none ranked on Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings. Only Justin Pringle plays regularly. The Battalion have 6 with Matthew Struthers the lone player ranked on the list. The Fronts lead in just about every category but if the Battalion can get a lead, they can shut you down. This could be closer then many think.
Prediction: Kingston in 6 games
Niagara IceDogs (4) vs Oshawa Generals (5)
| Niagara | Oshawa | |
| Season Series | 1-0-0-1 | 1-0-1-0 |
| Home record | 21-10-2-1 | 20-12-2-0 |
| Road record | 14-13-5-2 | 16-17-1-0 |
| Goals for | 240 | 250 |
| Goals against | 235 | 243 |
| Powerplay | 19.5% | 18.8% |
| Penalty kill | 80.1% | 74.9% |
| PP vs opponent | 37.5% | 0.0% |
| PK vs Opponent | 100.0% | 62.5% |
| Leading scorer | Miletic (36-56-92) | Studnicka (22-50-72) |
| Leading after 2nd | 25-3-2-2 | 18-3-2-0 |
| Trailing after 2nd | 5-17-2-0 | 6-22-2-2 |
| Last 10 games | 8-1-1-0 | 7-3-0-0 |
The IceDogs are led by draft eligible Akil Thomas, a top prospect for the NHL Draft. On defence, Justin McPherson was also listed on Central Scouting’s mid-term ranking. Oshawa is led by top prospects Serron Noel and Allan McShane as well as William Ennis and Nico Gross, who received rankings by Central Scouting. This has the potential to be the best series of the first round. About as even as any two teams can be, but Niagara holds the advantage in special teams versus each other.
Prediction: Oshawa in 7 games
OHL Writers 