Sportsnet’s first playoff game on Friday Night Hockey has the Oshawa Generals hosting the Peterborough Petes in the latest chapter of one of the most storied rivalries in the CHL.
Oshawa has played with a chip on its shoulder all season. The Generals didn’t get a lot of love from pre-season prognosticators, and didn’t really start to draw people’s attention until well into the new year. In fact, ranked as the No. 1 team for a good chunk of the season, the Generals dropped to third in the final regular season BMO Top 10 rankings.
Peterborough didn’t meet expectations coming into the season. As a result, GM Mike Oke made several deals in order to stock-up on draft picks and young talent. The Petes should take solace in the fact they still made the playoffs.
In goal, Matthew Mancina performed as expected when Oke brought him in from Guelph. The numbers were solid for a team that had difficulty scoring, even more so once Nick Ritchie was traded. Mancina has big upside, but this task may be too tall an order. Dylan Wells has shown flashes and will likely see some time in this series.
Statistically, Carolina Hurricanes prospect Kyle Jenkins is the top option on defence for Peterborough. Matt Spencer was once projected to be a first-round NHL pick, but he slowed in the second half and many scouts wonder what he’ll be at the next level. Cameron Lizotte has had a nice rise to prominence in scouts’ eyes and he’s as tough as they come. Dominik Masin is a Tampa Bay Lightning pick who’s been banged-up most of the season and is not likely to play.
The Petes have a decent top six, lead by Michael Clarke the team’s top scorer and Josh MacDonald, who scores timely goals. Eric Cornel’s immense talent hasn’t been reflected by his production. Hunter Garlent, Nathan Pancel and Steven Lorentz have produced at expected levels, although Garlent has played just once in March and is not likely to play.
The Generals boast the league’s top goalie in Ken Appleby, who led the circuit in GAA (2.08), save percentage (.924) and tied for the league lead in shutouts (6). The only concern is Appleby has played just one post-season game in three years. Jeremy Brodeur is a more-than-capable backup.
Defensively the Gennies don’t get the credit they deserve. As a group all the key elements are intact: Josh Brown and Stephen Desrocher provide size; Mitch Vande Sompel and Chris Carlisle are puck-movers and point-producers; Will Petschenig is solid; and Dakota Mermis has plenty of big-game experience.
Up front, Oshawa is in good hands with Michael Dal Colle, Cole Cassels and Tobias Lindberg. All three play a solid two-way game. GM Roger Hunt sought more offence at the deadline and acquired Michael McCarron, Matt Mistele and Brent Pedersen, two of whom are top-six material. Add in Hunter Smith, Bradley Latour and rookie sensation Anthony Cirelli and you have a deadly top nine.
What makes the Generals so difficult to play against is the variety of ways in which they can beat opponents. Oshawa will not be out-muscled and rarely outscored. Play it tight defensively and the Generals have that covered as the stingiest team in the league.
Peterborough Petes 26-36-1-5 (9-21-1-3 Road), 2L (5th Eastern Division, 8th Eastern Conference)
Individual Stats
In Goal
Team Stats
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Eric Cornel (BUF, 44th in 2013)
Dominik Masin (TB, 35th in 2014)
Kyle Jenkins (CAR, 187th in 2014)
NHL Central Scouting
Matthew Spencer #51
Cameron Lizotte #171
Under The Radar
Steven Lorentz More than doubled his goal and overall point production from a year ago. Wins draws and can play a checking game if required.
Oshawa Generals 51-11-2-4 (29-3-1-1 Home) W, 1st East Division, 1st Eastern Conference, 3rd BMO Top 10
Individual Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Michael Dal Colle (NYI, 5th in 2014)
Michael McCarron (MTL, 25th in 2013)
Hunter Smith (CGY, 54th in 2014)
Cole Cassels (VAN, 85th in 2013)
Tobias Lindberg (OTT 102nd 2013)
Joshua Brown (FLA, 152nd in 2013)
Brent Pedersen (CAR, 126th in 2013)
Matthew Mistele (LA, 180th in 2013)
NHL Central Scouting
Mitchell Vande Sompel, 33rd
Anthony Cirelli, 88th
Stephen Desrocher, 181st
Under The Radar
Anthony Cirelli One of the top free-agent pick-ups in the league. Cirelli has played himself into a mid- to late-round pick. An extra year in midget is starting to pay dividends.