The Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men’s hockey playoffs are upon us and that means I am putting out my first round Queen’s Cup predictions. Apologies to the West, but the East is the best division. A team has come out of the East to win the Queen’s Cup a whopping seven times in the last 10 seasons. That is what I call dominance.
OUA East
1. McGill Redmen vs. 8. Laurentian Voyageurs
This will be a tight series especially for a first place versus eighth place match-up. Game one finished 2-1 for McGill in overtime. McGill has a strong goalie tandem of Louis-Philip Guindon and Jacob Gervais-Chouinard. In the first game between the two teams the Redmen smashed Laurentian 6-2 back in November. The Voyageurs have figured a few things out since they lost that game but I still can’t see them taking this series.
Prediction: McGill in three games.
2. Concordia Stingers vs 7. University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks
I’m calling an upset in this matchup. And rightfully so, game one finished 4-0 for UOIT. Both of the regular season games these two teams played have been close one goal games. Concordia did take both of them, but I think that UOIT are a stronger team than their record represents.
Prediction: UOIT in three games.
3. Queen’s Gaels vs 6. University of Ottawa (U of O) Gee-Gees
This is a tough matchup to predict. Game 1 went to double OT with Queen’s winning 3-2. It might be the Kingstonian in me that says “pick Queen’s,” but it could also be the Carleton student in me, who has gotten used to yelling profanity directed at the Gee-Gees. I’m picking Queen’s. I think the most important thing in this series will be goaltending. For U of O, they have Anthony Brodeur (if that sounds familiar it’s because his dad was a big deal in net for New Jersey) and Graham Hunt. Queen’s has perhaps the best goaltending duo in Jacob Brennan and Kevin Baillie. Brennan, a second-year guy, finishes this year as one of the league’s best. But, Kevin Baillie is the real star of this show. Fresh off a bronze medal performance at the Winter Universiade, where he was Team Canada’s starter.
Prediction: Queen’s in three games.
4. Carleton Ravens vs 5. Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes
I don’t like this because I want Carleton to win, but UQTR is a very solid squad. I think this series will go the distance. Both teams have very solid lineups and are getting players and head coaches back from Universiade. For Carleton, keep your eyes on Michael McNamee and Brett Welychka, who are both on a hot streak. On UQTR’s side, Pierre-Olivier Morin is the man to watch. Game one finished 5-2 Carleton but I think UQTR won’t be beat at home.
Prediction: Three close games, but Carleton wins.
OUA West
1. Ryerson Rams vs. 8. Waterloo Warriors
After watching the Rams score 11 goals against Guelph in the season finale, I don’t see them losing. My favourite player for Ryerson is Matt Mistele, a Memorial Cup winner, who played with the Oshawa Generals. Ryerson also has scary good goaltending. Rams goaltender Charlie Graham has a 2.14 goals against average and three shutouts this year. At the other end of the ice, Waterloo goaltender Mike Morrison has been way too inconsistent this year.
Prediction: Rams coast through the first round in two games.
2. York Lions vs. 7. Lakehead Thunderwolves
I like York just because it is hard to bet against the league’s number one goaltender, Mack Shields. He has shielded the York net extremely well this season. He has a 1.78 goals against average and a 0.930 save percentage, which is very impressive. For Lakehead, goaltender Devin Green needs to keep up his performance. On offence, winger, Kelin Ainsworth needs to keep putting points. York won the first game when they scored with five seconds to go in regulation, so we are in for a tough series.
Prediction: Thunderwolves in three games.
3. Laurier Golden Hawks vs. 6. Windsor Lancers
Laurier took the first game by a score of 4-3 in game one. For Windsor, a player to watch is defender Todd Ratchford, who has been a stud on defence and can be a threat on the power play. Lancers goaltender Kris Joyce posted moderate numbers this year. Andrew Fritsch is the player to watch on the Golden Hawks, having lead the team in points. Colin Furlong played solid in net this year for Laurier and should be a big factor in this series.
Prediction: Lancers in three games.
4. Guelph Gryphons vs 5. Brock Badgers
This should be a fun one to watch. Guelph’s Robert Lepine and Mark Raycroft are the guys to keep watch for. Raycroft is a real threat from the backend who can burn you and Lepine knows how to finish. On the Badgers, keep your eyes on Skylar Pacheco, who can put up points from the point.
Prediction: Gryphons in three games.
– Photo by Trevor Swann
