Will this be Connor McDavid’s final OHL game?
The CHL on Sportsnet has Game 5 between the Erie Otters and the Oshawa Generals from GM Centre in Oshawa. The Generals have a 3-1 stranglehold on the series thanks to Cole Cassels’ OT winner in Game 4. Connor McDavid had four points in the 6-5 loss Wednesday night.
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Watch Game 5 of the OHL Final between the Erie Otters and Oshawa Generals on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet 360 at 7 p.m. ET || Broadcast Schedule
The Erie Otters have been outscored 19-11 in the series to date. Devin Williams has struggled, possessing a 4.35 goals-against average and a .854 save percentage. Williams will have to find a way to get back to the .900 save percent level, where he’s had tremendous success over his career with a 55-13 record.
Defensively, the Otters have leaned on over-agers Troy Donnay, Kurtis MacDermid and Cory Genovese. Travis Dermott provides scoring, while Darren Raddysh is a shot-blocking machine. Erie plays team defence, with good forward support. Shot blocking and collapsing in front of Williams are trademarks of Erie’s defensive play. Puck retrieval will be key for Erie to limit the punishing cycle game of the sizable Oshawa forward group.
Up front, McDavid represents the “X” factor. He’ll have to fight through the Cole Cassels line, plus Josh Brown and Dakota Mermis. as the Generals have last change in this game. Keep in mind, McDavid was held to just one assist in the first two games of this series played in Oshawa. As usual, it will be up to the supporting cast to take some of the attention off McDavid. Nicholas Baptiste has played well, Remi Elie has produced but is due to break out in terms of goal scoring. Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome haven’t performed to their regular season averages. Nick Betz has more to offer, while the Otters hope Kyle Pettit is catching up to game pace. The Marchments, Mason and Jake, can bump and play responsibly.
As he did during the regular season, Ken Appleby has been solid in goal for the Generals. He did just enough in Game 4 to earn the win, but was brilliant in Games 1 and 2. He should feel more comfortable returning home.
Oshawa’s back end has been underrated/appreciated all season long. Lead by captain Josh Brown, the Generals have enough size to punish the opposition, and enough offensive potential to sting the Otters in transition. Stephen Desrocher has taken his game to a new level. Draft-eligible Mitch Vande Sompel is a beautiful skater, who jumps up to play forward when needed. Chris Carlisle is the epitome of underrated. Dakota Mermis brings big-game experience and has played with a nasty edge to his game.
Two key additions made by general manager Roger Hunt have helped solidify the forward group. Matt Mistele is playing like scouts expected him to, but only a year later. He’s got a laser for a shot and has played more physically than expected. Michael McCarron is tough to handle and is developing well for the Montreal Canadiens. Michael Dal Colle and Tobias Lindberg are remarkably consistent players. Hunter Smith and Bradley Latour are difficult to play against, while Anthony Cirelli skates well enough for top line consideration. Oshawa’s forward depth offers all the essentials in skating, goal scoring, size, toughness and vision.
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Erie Otters: 13-5-1 (5-4 Road) L; def. SAR 4-1 in Round 1, def. LDN 4-0 in Round 2, def. SSM 4-2 in Round 3; No. 5 BMO Top 10
Individual Playoff Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Remi Elie (Dallas, 40th in 2013)
Nicholas Baptiste (Buffalo, 69th in 2013)
Kyle Pettit (Vancouver, 156th in 2014)
Jake Marchment (Los Angeles, 157th in 2014)
Kurtis MacDermid (Los Angeles, signed as FA)
Troy Donnay (NY Rangers, signed as FA)
NHL Central Scouting
Connor McDavid — No. 1
Dylan Strome — No. 4
Travis Dermott — No. 46
Under The Radar
Kurtis MacDermid — Is built like a behemoth, knows his role, plays it well and acts as a policeman for a younger, smaller team.
Oshawa Generals: 15-4-1 (10-1 Home) W; def. PBO 4-1 in Round 1, def. NIA 4-1 in Round 2, def. NB 4-2 in Round 3; No. 3 BMO Top 10
Individual Playoff Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Michael Dal Colle (NY Islanders, 5th in 2014)
Michael McCarron (Montreal, 25th in 2013)
Hunter Smith (Calgary, 54th in 2014)
Cole Cassels (Vancouver, 85th in 2013)
Tobias Lindberg (Ottawa, 102nd in 2013)
Joshua Brown (Florida, 152nd in 2013)
Brent Pedersen (Carolina, 126th in 2013)
Matthew Mistele (Los Angeles, 180th in 2013)
NHL Central Scouting
Mitchell Vande Sompel — No. 34
Anthony Cirelli — No. 67
Stephen Desrocher — No. 145
Under The Radar
Stephen Desroscher — Has risen to new heights offensively, has good size and has been Oshawa’s most consistent defenceman from the start of the playoffs.
