OHL Playoff Update – Battalion prepare for battle in round 2

READING, PA – With the exciting Game 7 between the Ottawa 67’s and the Niagara IceDogs officially over, it’s time to move on to the second round of the OHL playoffs.

Niagara won in dramatic fashion 4-3 on Andrew Agozzino’s overtime goal 13 seconds into overtime, but there is no rest for the weary. In the Eastern Conference, Niagara will now take on the top seeded Belleville Bulls, while the Brampton Battalion face off against the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. In the Western Conference, the Windsor Spitfires will take on the Plymouth Whalers, while the London Knights take on the Saginaw Spirit. Yesturday we previewed the second round match-ups in the Western Conference, today we preview of the Eastern Conference. Belleville Bulls Vs. Niagara Icedogs Bellville won the season series 4-0. Belleville came into the playoffs as the number one seed in the conference. Niagara was number six, as are the only team left in the playoffs who won a series as an underdog. Belleville’s Eric Tangradi, a second round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, leads the Bulls in points with 4 goals and 4 assists. The Bulls outscored the Sudbury Wolves 17-12, and won their series in six games. Goaltender Mike Murphy, a sixth round of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008, is third in the playoffs in goals against average (1.83) and tied for fifth in save percentage (.934). The IceDogs Alex Friesen leads the team in points with 9 on 2 goals and 7 assists. Agozzino, as well as Marco Insam are also in the top 20 with 4 goals and 4 assists each. Goaltender Jeremy Smith, a second round pick of Nashville in 2007, is 13^th in goals against (3.86) and 11^th in save percentage (.908). Playoff Schedule Game 1 – Thu Apr 2 7:15 PM Niagara at Belleville Game 2 – Fri Apr 3 7:30 PM Belleville at Niagara Game 3 – Sun Apr 5 7:15 PM Niagara at Belleville Game 4 – Tue Apr 7 7:30 PM Belleville at Niagara Game 5 – Thu Apr 9 7:15 PM * Niagara at Belleville Game 6 – Fri Apr 10 7:30 PM * Belleville at Niagara Game 7 – Sun Apr 12 7:15 PM * Niagara at Belleville Brampton Battalion Vs. Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors Brampton came into the playoffs as the number two seed. Mississauga was number four. Brampton won seven of the eight regular-season meetings with Mississauga. Cody Hodgson, the tenth overall pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, is second overall in playoff scoring with 3 goals and 8 assists. Matt Duchene, who is expected to go high in this year’s draft, along with teammate Evgeny Grachev, a third round pick of the N.Y. Rangers in 2008 as well, also have 4 goals and 4 assists each. Goaltender Thomas McCollum, a first round pick of Detroit in 2008, 30^th overall, is sixth in goals against (2.49) and 12^th in save percentage (.907). Cameron Gaunce leads Mississauga with 9 points, J.P. Anderson is fifth in goals against (2.22) and save percentage (.934) Playoff Schedule Game 1 – Thu Apr 2 7:00 PM Mississauga at Brampton Game 2 – Fri Apr 3 7:30 PM Brampton at Mississauga Game 3 – Sun Apr 5 2:00 PM Mississauga at Brampton Game 4 – Tue Apr 7 7:00 PM Brampton at Mississauga Game 5 – Thu Apr 9 7:00 PM * Mississauga at Brampton Game 6 – Fri Apr 10 7:30 PM * Brampton at Mississauga Game 7 – Sun Apr 12 2:00 PM * Mississauga at Brampton Source: http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/
  Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com