The CHL on Sportsnet features game three of the OHL’s Western Conference final between the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the Erie Otters. This game is a mecca for NHL prospect fans. Combined, these teams include 16 players either drafted or signed by NHL teams. The Greyhounds have four first-round NHL draftees, while the Otters will have at least two in the 2015 NHL draft, lead by surefire first-overall pick Connor McDavid.
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The Greyhounds mowed their way through Saginaw and Guelph, winning eight-straight games to get through the first two rounds of the playoffs. After taking game one at home against Erie, Sault Ste. Marie suffered just its fourth loss on its own ice all season, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Otters Friday.
Sault Ste. Marie is about as deep a team as there is in the CHL. It starts on the back end with Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Anthony DeAngelo, who led all OHL defencemen in scoring during the regular season. However, he was injured in game two and his status is up in the air for game three. Darnell Nurse was the best defenceman at the 2015 world juniors and will continue to see a lot of Connor. Gustav Bouramman and Colton White are both expected to go in the draft, while Tyler Ganly, Connor Boland and Tyler Hore round out the group of seven.
Offensively, it’s pick your poison with the Hounds. Nick Ritchie is skating and shooting it well. He’s turned into the menacing power forward Anaheim thought it was getting when the Ducks took him 10th overall last June. Jared McCann, Sergey Tolchinsky and Justin Bailey are all high-end offensive players. Sault Ste. Marie comes in waves and does so with great speed. Zachary Senyshyn, Bryan Moore, Blake Speers and Jean Dupuy can dart, and make the Hounds dangerous in transition. It doesn’t stop there, as Michael Bunting, Keigan Goetz and Gabe Guertler have been solid contributors.
In goal, Brandon Halverson benefits from seeing fewer than 30 shots per game. When called upon in game one, he answered the bell, but will be in a position to respond in game three like he has not yet seen in his career.
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Erie came into the series as an underdog, but was able to earn the road split with a game two win. Now it’s about playing on home ice, where the Otters are 31-8 this season (combined regular season and playoffs). Goaltender Devin Williams has performed well this post-season, but will have to continue to be at the top of his game if the Otters are to win the series. In playoff games where his save percentage is .900 or better, Williams is 12-1.
No question, the Otters miss Kurtis MacDermid who remains out due to suspension, eligible to return only if the series gets to six games. Meanwhile, overagers Troy Donnay and Cory Genovese must continue to play physically, yet not try to do too much. Travis Dermott and Patrick Murphy have produced points, while Darren Raddysh is a plus-12. TJ Fergus has played extremely well in the absence of MacDermid and has a bright future ahead of him.
Connor McDavid is the best junior hockey player in the world and he’s found another gear with seven points through the first two games of the series.
Dylan Strome paced the Otters Friday night with two goals and an assist. Nicholas Baptiste, Remi Elie, and Kyle Maksimovich have impacted the series to this point. The Otters will need better production from Alex DeBrincat, Nick Betz and Jake Marchment who have not registered a point and are a combined minus-3 in the series.
Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds 9-1-0 (4-0-0 Road) L, def. SAG 4-0 in round one, def. GUE 4-0 in round two, No. 1 BMO Top 10
Individual Stats
In Goal
Team Stats
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Darnell Nurse (EDM, 7th 2013)
Nick Ritchie (ANA, 10th 2014)
Anthony DeAngelo (TB, 19th 2014)
Jared McCann (VAN, 34th 2014)
Justin Bailey (BUF, 52nd 2013)
Brandon Halverson (NYR, 59th 2014)
Michael Bunting (ARI, 117th 2014)
Tyler Ganly (CAR, 156th 2013)
Sergey Tolchinsky (signed FA CAR)
Jean Dupuy (signed FA BUF)
NHL Central Scouting
Zachary Senyshyn, No. 38
Blake Speers, No. 49
Gustav Bouramman, No. 75
Colton White, No. 128
Under The Radar
Bryan Moore has a pro skill set and has always produced, but is starting to establish consistency in his game.
Erie Otters 9-2-0 (4-1 Home) W, def. SAR 4-1 in round one, def. LDN 4-0 in round 2, No. 5 BMO Top 10
Individual Stats
In Goal
Team Stats
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Remi Elie (DAL, 40th 2013)
Nicholas Baptiste (BUF, 69th 2013)
Kyle Pettit (VAN, 156th 2014)
Jake Marchment (LA, 157th 2014)
Kurtis MacDermid (signed LA FA)
Troy Donnay (signed NYR FA)
NHL Central Scouting
Connor McDavid, No. 11
Dylan Strome, No. 4
Travis Dermott, No. 46
Under the Radar
Kyle Maksimovich has stepped-up his game in the playoffs. He possesses good skill and despite size and is not intimidated to go to dirty areas on the ice.