The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs are upon us, and the Soo Greyhounds are facing a challenging road ahead. After a disappointing loss to the Windsor Spitfires, the Greyhounds find themselves as the fifth seed in the Western Conference, set to begin their playoff journey on the road. This outcome is a stark contrast to their regular season performance, where they finished with a strong record of 39-23-1-5. The game against the Spitfires was a stark reminder of the importance of a strong start and effective special teams play in the OHL.
The Greyhounds' struggles in the opening period were evident, as they were outshot 10-2 and trailed 2-1. Coach John Dean attributed this to a lack of focus and a disconnected mindset, stating, "The first 10, 15 minutes, we’re looking for shot volume, we’re looking for guys to take away time and space as quickly as we can and I didn’t see that mindset. A little disconnected." This early deficit set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Greyhounds struggled to regain their footing.
One of the key factors in the Spitfires' victory was their lethal power play. Windsor capitalized on three power play opportunities in five tries, while the Greyhounds managed only one goal in four chances, including a lengthy five-on-three situation in the third period. Coach Dean acknowledged the importance of special teams, stating, "Every time you lose the special teams battle, it’s critical." He also noted that the team has been performing well when up a man, but needs to improve their five-on-three play, "five-on-three needs to be better, crisper, quicker."
The Spitfires' special teams were indeed "huge" in the game, according to coach Greg Walters, who credited his assistant coaches, Casey Torres and Kris Newbury, for their success. The Spitfires' power play was particularly effective, with Jack Nesbitt scoring from the slot on a cross-slot feed from Anthony Cristoforo, and later on a rebound at the edge of the crease. The Greyhounds, on the other hand, struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, with Marco Mignosa scoring from the slot glove side on a power play, but unable to close the gap.
The game also highlighted the importance of even-strength play, as both teams struggled in this area. Coach Dean admitted, "I didn’t think we were particularly great five-on-five either." The Greyhounds' inability to maintain a strong performance at even strength contributed to their eventual loss.
The loss to the Spitfires has significant implications for the Greyhounds, as they now face the London Knights in the opening round of the playoffs. The Knights, who finished in fourth spot, will have home ice advantage, which could be a crucial factor in the series. The Greyhounds will need to bring their A-game and perform at their best to have any chance of advancing.
In my opinion, the Greyhounds' loss to the Spitfires serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of a strong start and effective special teams play. The team will need to bring their A-game and perform at their best to have any chance of advancing in the playoffs. The Knights, with home ice advantage, will be a formidable opponent, and the Greyhounds will need to be at their best to overcome them. The OHL playoffs are a tough battle, and the Greyhounds will need to bring their best effort to have any chance of success.
