If the Guelph Storm is going to upset the Kitchener Rangers in the first round of the OHL playoffs they’re likely going to have to do it without defenceman Owen Lalonde.
Lalonde injured his shoulder last Friday in Kitchener and his status doesn’t look good.
“We’re still in the process of evaluating, he’s having further testing tonight (Thursday), an MRI. He won’t play early in the series,” Storm coach George Burnett said.
Forward James McEwan has and will play some defence again. The team also has the option of rotating its five healthy defencemen.
Rookie Tag Bertuzzi (concussion) definitely won’t play in the opening series at least.
Burnett said with some players being out of the lineup of late it has given the team a chance to get used to playing with three lines.
“Everybody’s more involved that way, but we’ll see how we start,” he said.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series goes Friday night in Kitchener.
The Rangers took five of the eight regular season games the two played, but Guelph beat the Rangers twice in the final week, including a win at The Aud.
Burnett said the team doesn’t want to make too big a deal of its recent success.
“We’re not going to put a lot of stock in it. They had key people missing,” Burnett said. “It’s not something we’ve spent a lot of time talking about.
“But it’s certainly a lot better than having two losses. Any positive vibes, any success, particularly on the road, is always beneficial.”
The Storm and Rangers have met three times in the playoffs, the last time being in 2012-2013, when Kitchener beat Guelph 4-1.
One area the Rangers hold a decided advantage in is playoff experience.
Kitchener has 16 players with a combined 134 games of playoff experience, led Adam Mascherin’s 20 games.
Guelph has just six players with playoff experience, a combined 70 games, with Zach Poirier’s 25 games leading the way.
“I’m sure it does” give Kitchener an advantage, Burnett agreed.
“Right now, the only focus beyond preparing for Game 1 and being ready for Game 1.”
Game 2 goes Sunday in Kitchener, Game 3 Tuesday in Guelph and Game 4 Wednesday in Guelph.
The playoffs get underway Thursday night on three fronts.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Sault Ste. Marie (1) vs. Saginaw (8)
The best team in Canada should have no problem handling an improving but young Saginaw squad.
Prediction: Soo in four.
Sarnia (2) vs. Windsor (7)
Michael DiPietro might be able to steal a game for the Spits, but there’s only so much one player can do.
Prediction: Sarnia in five.
Kitchener (3) vs. Guelph (6)
Guelph has shown they can play with the Rangers for extended periods of time and if Anthony Popovich could get on a role, this one could go the distance. But Kitchener’s experience, depth on defence and home ice advantage will be tough to overcome.
Prediction: Kitchener in six.
Owen Sound (4) vs. London (5)
Home ice advantage, depth, experience … on paper I’d say Owen Sound in five. But it’s the friggin’ London Knights. I say the team that gets the best goaltending moves on.
Prediction: Owen Sound in seven.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Hamilton (1) vs. Ottawa (8)
The Bulldogs loaded up for a playoff run and the 67’s should be an easy first victim.
Prediction: Hamilton in four.
Barrie (2) vs. Mississauga (7)
Weird that a seven seed should be favoured over a two seed, but the Steelheads won the season series between the two and might finally be ready to reach their star-laden potential.
Prediction: Mississauga in six.
Kingston (3) vs. North Bay (6)
Stan Butler teams are always a pain in the butt and seem built for playoff hockey. But Kingston has higher-end skill and better goaltending.
Prediction: Kingston in six.
Niagara (4) vs. Oshawa (5)
This will probably be the best series of the entire first round with two extremely evenly-matched teams that only met twice in the regular season. We’ll give the advantage to the home ice.
Prediction: Niagara in seven.
