The Oshawa Generals defeated the Brantford Bulldogs 4-1 in game six to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive year. Brantford took the opening two games of the series, scoring a total of 13 goals across those two games. However, Oshawa took over on home ice and built up momentum, winning the next four games to clinch the series.
The absence of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis, who was injured late in game three due to a hit delivered by Nashville Predators prospect Andrew Gibson, certainly played a role in the outcome of the series. Gibson received a two-game suspension for the hit, leaving Brantford without their top scorer, who had over 70 goals this season. Without Lardis, the Bulldogs' offense struggled, failing to score more than two goals in any game after the second match.
Credit for shutting down the potent Brantford offense goes to the Oshawa defense and goaltender Jacob Oster, who was exceptional throughout the series. In game five, the Generals won on the road, which set the stage for them to finish the series on home ice. They didn’t take this opportunity for granted, outshooting the Bulldogs 15-4 in the opening period of game six.
Luca Marrelli opened the scoring with a thunderous one-timer on the power play, getting the Oshawa fans on their feet early in the game. Shortly after, the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect assisted Winnipeg Jets prospect Colby Barlow for a tap-in goal, making it 2-0 before the end of the first period. Although the Bulldogs outshot the Generals 18-14 for the remainder of the game, the damage had already been done.
In the second period, Owen Griffin and Marek Vanacker exchanged goals just thirty seconds apart, putting Oshawa ahead 3-1. Griffin, who has emerged as one of Oshawa's top scorers in the postseason, sealed the victory with a second goal in the dying moments of the game. His performance is certainly raising his draft stock as he is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Generals are now returning to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. Last season, they made it to the Finals but fell to the London Knights. This year, however, Oshawa boasts a deeper and more experienced roster than they did during their previous playoff run.
Oshawa will now await the victor of game seven between the Barrie Colts and the Kitchener Rangers, who are also in the midst of their own playoff battle.
In other playoff news, the Windsor Spitfires have been eliminated from the OHL Playoffs after losing a dramatic overtime Game 7 to the Kitchener Rangers. The Rangers, who managed to reverse a 3-1 series deficit, won the game 2-1 at the WFCU Centre.
The Rangers struck first in the deciding game, scoring about halfway through the first period. Windsor's Carter Hicks tied the game halfway through the second period, but neither team could find the back of the net in the third, forcing the game into overtime.
After 15 minutes of intense play in overtime, Luke Ellinas scored his second goal of the night, clinching the victory for the Rangers and allowing them to advance to the next round. The Spitfires faced challenges throughout the series, with injuries and illness sidelining key players, including captain Liam Greentree, AJ Spellacy, and Carson Woodall.
Meanwhile, in another thrilling Game 7, the Barrie Colts edged the Kingston Frontenacs 6-4 in their second-round playoff showdown at Sadlon Arena. Kashawn Aitcheson was the star of the night, scoring twice and adding an assist to lead Barrie to victory.
The Colts found themselves trailing 3-2 after the first period but responded with three unanswered goals to take control of the match. Emil Hemming, Owen Van Steensel, Tristan Bertucci, and Beau Jelsma also contributed to the scoring for Barrie, while Dalyn Wakely stood out with three assists, and Hemming added two helpers.
With these playoff results, the stage is set for an exciting Eastern Conference Final as the Generals prepare to face either the Barrie Colts or the Kitchener Rangers, both of whom have shown resilience and skill throughout their respective series.
As the OHL playoffs continue, fans can expect high-stakes action and thrilling performances from the remaining teams vying for the championship title.
