OHL Sarnia Sting

2018 OHL Playoff Tracker

Published on March 17, 2018 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Sarnia Sting News Release


There are still 12 games to be played in the 2017-18 Ontario Hockey League regular season schedule.

All 16 playoff positions have been claimed with eight final rankings confirmed including the Sault Ste. Marie Greyounds (1), Kitchener Rangers (2), and Sarnia Sting (3) in the Western Conference, along with the Hamilton Bulldogs (1), Barrie Colts (2), Kingston Frontenacs (3), Niagara IceDogs (4), and Oshawa Generals (5) in the Eastern Conference. Only two of the eight first round matchups have been determined including Niagara vs Oshawa in the Eastern Conference, while the London Knights will face the Owen Sound Attack however home ice advantage is still unofficial.

Here's a closer look at the regular season standings and playoff scenarios:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Hamilton Bulldogs - 91PTS (42-18-4-3) with 1 game (at PBO)

- Clinched the East Division title and 1st place in the Eastern Conference, will play either Mississauga or Ottawa in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

2. Barrie Colts - 87PTS (41-21-4-1) with 1 game (SBY)

- Clinched the Central Division title and 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, will play either Mississauga, North Bay, or Ottawa in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

3. Kingston Frontenacs - 81PTS (36-22-6-3) with 1 game (at MISS)

- Clinched 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, will play either Mississauga or North Bay in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

4. Niagara IceDogs - 78PTS (34-23-7-3) with 1 game (MISS)

- Clinched 4th place in the Eastern Conference, will play Oshawa in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule TBA).

5. Oshawa Generals - 73PTS (35-29-3-0) with 1 game (SBY)

- Clinched 5th place in the Eastern Conference, will play Niagara in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule TBA).

6. North Bay Battalion - 70PTS (30-27-7-3) with 1 game (at OTT)

- Can only finish as high as 6th place or drop as low as 7th and will play either Barrie or Kingston in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

7. Mississauga Steelheads - 67PTS (32-31-1-2) with 2 games (at NIAG, KGN)

- Can still finish as high as 6th place or as low as 8th and will play either Barrie, Hamilton, or Kingston in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

8. Ottawa 67's - 67PTS (29-29-6-3) with 1 game (NB)

- Can still finish as high as 7th place and will play either Barrie or Hamilton in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

9. Peterborough Petes - 52PTS (23-38-3-3) with 1 game (HAM)

- Eliminated from OHL Playoff contention and will pick either 3rd or 4th overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection on April 7.

10. Sudbury Wolves - 43PTS (17-40-9-0) with 2 games (at BAR, at OSH)

- Eliminated from OHL Playoff contention and will pick either 1st or 2nd overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection on April 7.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Soo Greyhounds - 114PTS (54-7-3-3) with 1 game (LDN)

- Clinched the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the regular season champions and will play either Guelph, Saginaw, or Windsor in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

2. Kitchener Rangers - 90PTS (43-21-3-1)

- Clinched Midwest Division title and 2nd overall in the Western Conference, will play either Guelph, Saginaw, or Windsor in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

3. Sarnia Sting - 97PTS (46-16-4-1) with 1 game (at OS)

- Clinched 3rd place in the Western Conference, will play either Guelph, Saginaw, or Windsor in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

4. Owen Sound Attack - 82PTS (37-22-3-5) with 1 game (SAR)

- Can only finish in either 4th or 5th place and will play London in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

5. London Knights - 80PTS (38-24-2-2) with 2 games (at SAG, at SSM)

- Can only finish in either 4th or 5th place and will play Owen Sound in 1st round OHL Playoffs needing four points to clinch home ice advantage (schedule scenarios TBA).

6. Guelph Storm - 69PTS (30-28-5-4) with 1 game (at ER)

- Can only finish as high as 6th place or drop as low as 8th and will play either KIT, SAR, or SSM in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

7. Windsor Spitfires - 66PTS (30-30-4-2) with 2 games (at FLNT, SAG)

- Can still finish as high as 6th place or drop as low as 8th and will play either KIT, SAR, or SSM in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

8. Saginaw Spirit - 66PTS (29-29-8-0) with 2 games (LDN, at WSR)

- Can still finish as high as 6th place and will play either KIT, SAR, or SSM in 1st round OHL Playoffs (schedule scenarios TBA).

9. Erie Otters - 54PTS (22-35-7-3) with 1 game (GUE)

- Eliminated from OHL Playoff contention, will pick either 3rd or 4th overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection on April 7.

10. Flint Firebirds - 45PTS (20-42-3-2) with 1 game (WSR)

- Eliminated from OHL Playoff contention, will pick either 1st or 2nd overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection on April 7.

PLAYOFF STRUCTURE:

The top eight teams in each conference qualify for the OHL playoffs with the division leaders ranked one-two in each Conference.

In the first round of the playoffs, first place plays eighth, second plays seventh, third plays sixth and fourth plays fifth in each conference.

Teams are re-seeded within their conference after each round and the division winners are always ranked 1-2 within the conference as long as they progress. The champions from each conference play in the OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.

The OHL Playoffs are scheduled to begin on the Thursday following the conclusion of the regular season. The first round series must be completed within 13 days; the second round series have 14 days to finish while the Conference Championships are 13 days in length. The OHL Championship Series is 14 days in length.

TIE BREAKING SYSTEM:

If two or more teams are tied for the final OHL playoff position in either conference, sudden-death playoff games will be used to determine the team that advances, with the home team for such tie-breaker game being determined through the OHL standard tie-breaking system listed below.

For all other playoff positions, the following tie-breaking system is in place:

The team with the most number of wins during the regular season shall be declared higher in the standings.

If two teams are still tied, the team with the best record in head-to-head competition (based on points including overtime losses) shall be declared higher in the standings. If more than two teams are tied after the first tie-breaker, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other shall be used to determine the standing.

If still tied, the team with the greater differential between goals scored for and against by clubs having equal standing after the second tie-breaker shall be declared higher in the standings.

SUDDEN-DEATH PLAYOFF FORMULA (FOR FINAL PLAYOFF POSITION):

Between Two Teams: Two teams tied for the final playoff position will play a sudden-death game to be hosted by the centre determined higher in the standings by the OHL tie-breaking system. The winner will be declared higher in the standings.

Between Three Teams for One Playoff Position:

A sudden-death game will be played between the two teams having the lowest percentage as calculated by dividing the sum of goals 'for' plus the total goals 'against' into the total goals 'for'. The home team will be determined by utilizing the OHL tie-breaking system.

A second sudden-death game will be played between the winner of the preliminary sudden-death game and the remaining team. The home team will be determined by utilizing the OHL tie-breaking system. The winner will be declared higher in the standings.

REGULAR SEASON TROPHIES:

Hamilton Spectator Trophy: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

The Greyhounds clinched their fifth Hamilton Spectator Trophy and regular season title with their 50th win of 2017-18. Previous Sault Ste. Marie titles include 2015, 1985, 1983, and 1981. The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is awarded to the team that finishes the regular season first overall in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by the Hamilton Spectator in the 1957-58 season.  The winner of the Hamilton Spectator Trophy has gone on to win the OHL championship 24 times and the Memorial Cup 11 times.

Emms Trophy (Central Division): Barrie Colts

The Colts earned their third Central Division title in four years with a stretch that featured back-to-back wins in 2015 and 2016. The club has been atop the Central eight times in total also including 1999, 2000, 2007, 2010, and 2013.

Leyden Trophy (East Division): Hamilton Bulldogs

The Bulldogs earned their first East Division title since moving to Hamilton in 2015-16. Previously, the Belleville Bulls had won six times including their most recent in 2012-13. This also marks Hamilton's first OHL division title since the 1975-76 Fincups.

The Emms and Leyden Trophies were first presented in the 1975-76 season when the OHL was split into divisions with the expansion of the league to 12 teams. The awards originated in recognition of Matt Leyden and Leighton 'Hap' Emms for their contributions to junior hockey in Ontario.

Bumbacco Trophy (West Division): Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

The Greyhounds earned their second straight West Division title and fourth in five years including back-to-back banner seasons in 2014 and 2015.  The Hounds have won a total of seven West Division crowns including wins in 2008, 2005, and 1997. The Bumbacco Trophy was inaugurated in 1994-95 when the league realigned into three divisions. The award is named after former Greyhounds' General Manager Angelo Bumbacco.

Holody Trophy (Midwest Division): Kitchener Rangers

The Rangers earned their third Midwest Division title in franchise history following 2003 and 2008 campaigns which both ended in OHL championship crowns. The Holody Trophy, awarded in recognition of the contributions to the OHL by former Guelph and Owen Sound Platers Governor Joe Holody, was presented following the 1998-99 season for the first time with the realignment of the league into four divisions.

Check out the Sarnia Sting Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2018


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