A potential first round matchup for the
Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs would be the
Niagara Ice Dogs.
This is a team that is extremely
dangerous, despite their struggles of late.
Since losing defenceman Dougie
Hamilton, this has not been the same team as it was for the first few
months of the season, but there is no question they are talented,
skilled and a team that shouldn't be overlooked.
Their skill up front is almost second
to none, led by Ryan Strome and Brett Ritchie. The two are arguably
in the top five of the entire league and are as dangerous around the
net as players can be.
On the blueline, they took a big hit
losing Hamilton, but they are still pretty solid. Jesse Graham
anchors the blueline and provides offence and stability back on the
point.
In net, Christopher Festarini can win a
game on his own, but like the entire team, has struggled since
Christmas.
Steven Shipley is another player, who,
along with Brendan Perlini have the potential to give the Ice Dogs a
dangerous second line, or even third, which shows the team's depth.
The Dogs have some grit, but overall
aren't a tough team and while they can't be pushed around, they don't
play the physical game that can catch up with them.
Their style, which has seen better
days, is quick puck movement and good transition play, but without
Hamilton, that first breakout pass hasn't been as smooth as it was
early in the season, and the past few seasons.
Two trains of thought come out of a
playoff matchup with the Dogs.
The first, is that the team, who will
lose a lot of talent in the off-season, will make one last go of
things looking for an OHL title.
They'll come together, get everything
working in the playoffs and show what they can do and end up in the
finals, if not winning the championship. There's no doubt it can be
done and no one would be surprised if it happened.
On the other hand, there is the
possibility that the players who are destined for pro hockey and who
have suffered through a bad second half may want the season to end as
quick as possible so they can move on to the AHL and NHL. Seems less
likely, but there is that thinking, too.
How they would beat the the Wolves, if
the two matchup, would be with their offence.
After the Wolves made the big trade
with Kitchener, the quick strike offence diminished. Not that it
isn't there, but it took a hit with losing Josh Leivo and Frank
Corrado.
The Ice Dogs can still wheel and are
dangerous on the rush, so that ability still exists and if it clicks
at the right time, they won't be easy to beat in a seven game series,
On the Wolves' side, the key to beat
the Ice Dogs would be to get the puck in deep, get a good forecheck
going and crash and bang the Dogs defence.
The Wolves can roll four lines that can
contribute in all ways – offensively, defensively and physically –
and they will need that to happen if they were to face the Ice Dogs.
Goaltending also comes into play and as
of right now, the Wolves have the advantage, which, as everyone
knows, can be the difference in a series.
Niagara is a team nobody wants to play
in the playoffs for the above reasons, as well as others.
They are beatable, as is everyone, but
they have some individual skill that could make beating the, very,
very difficult.
High end talent definitely goes to the
Ice Dogs, but a total team effort and the ability to execute systems
and make changes is the Wolves advantage, and the way things have
gone lately, a big advantage.
The Wolves would likely beat the Ice
Dogs in a playoff matchup, but it wouldn't be easy and very few
people would bet lots of money on it.
Goaltending – Advantage Wolves
Defence – Even, slight edge Ice Dogs
due to more experience
Forwards – Ice Dogs top line vs.
Wolves depth
The Mississauga Steelheads are up next
for analysis as a potential matchup the Wolves will have in the first
round of the playoffs.
Spoiler: It's their most favourable
matchup.
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