#2 London vs #7 Strathroy playoff thread

[Port hockey1]

This might not be as fast a series as some think. Strathroy has played a lot of OT games this season and might make this into a good series.

[RocketGirl]

G.1 Strathroy @ London - Wed, Mar 02 7:30 PM
G.2 London @ Strathroy - Sat, Mar 05 7:30 PM
G.3 Strathroy @ London - Sun, Mar 06 7:30 PM
G.4 London @ Strathroy - Tue, Mar 08 7:30 PM
G.5 Strathroy @ London - Wed, Mar 09 7:30 PM
G.6 London @ Strathroy - Sat, Mar 12 7:30 PM
G.7 Strathroy @ London - Mon, Mar 14 7:30 PM

I heard that London wanted us to give up our Sat. night and go with Sun. this weekend, as there was potentially some issue with the Nats getting ice at Western Fair for Sun., but I see it's been worked out.

[GOJHLFAN-999]

Tighter than you may think
• Offensively pretty even lately
• Defensively goes to Strathroy
• Goaltending goes to London
I predict Strathroy in 7 games

[Oglethorp]

Tighter than you may think
• Offensively pretty even lately
• Defensively goes to Strathroy
• Goaltending goes to London
I predict Strathroy in 7 games

GF London 212 Strathroy 144
GA London 155 Strathroy 205
PP London (5) 21.59% Strathroy (23) 14.74%
PK London (11) 83.98 % Strtahroy (23) 77.38%

I would say clearly offensively and defensively goes to London. This series will be the one where the only way the underdog wins is if the talent doesn't work hard enough.

Top forwards in this one
Trottier, Brenden (LON)
Kemp, Austin (LON)
Warren, John (LON) (injured)
Ferreira, Tanner (LON)
Bulitka, Shane (SRY)
Madden, Kevin (LON)
Goodman, Scott (LON)

Top defence
Sehovic, Tyler (LON)
Di Cicco, Jordan (LON)
Laberge, Matt (SRY)
Ruddock, Callum (LON)

Strathroy will try to outhit the Nats defence with some late and high ones to set the tone. If Ruddock, Doty, Diorio and Harris match the rockets physically this will be a short one. Big savings in Strathroy as there are no buses or food after the game for the Rockets, but it should b a decent crowd at WFC to see so many local kids

[Port hockey1]

From the London Free Press;

The playoffs couldn’t come soon enough for the London Nationals.

The club stumbled through the final week of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season, dropping four of its last five games — one against a non-playoff team. But, as head coach Pat Powers pointed out, that was mostly due to winning 14 of 16 games starting in mid-December that all but cemented second place in the conference.

“I think things kind of came a little bit easy to us there,” Powers said. “Complacency set in a little bit, so I think guys are definitely going to be excited for a change and get back to playing big games.

“It’ll be interesting to see if it brings the best out of us.”

The Nationals will find out what their best is in a hurry as they take on the Strathroy Rockets in a best-of-seven quarterfinal. Game 1 is Wednesday at Western Fair Sports Centre at 7:30 p.m.

Elsewhere, the top-ranked Leamington Flyers begin their quest for a third straight league title against St. Marys, Chatham takes on St. Thomas and the Sarnia Legionnaires have a chance to avenge last year’s ouster by the LaSalle Vipers.

Motivation won’t be hard to find for the Rockets as they are stockpiled with several London area players and are led by head coach Brendan Riggin, a London native.

“I know a few guys before we even knew who we were playing that were hoping to play London for exactly that reason, they’re either from London or grew up playing against these guys,” Riggin said. “There’s definitely going to be a hometown rivalry there.”

Despite being the 2-7 matchup, the season series was fairly close as four of the Nationals’ five victories were by either one or two goals. The Rockets also shut out London 4-0 at Western Fair in mid-November.

“That was a game where we didn’t want to put the work in to be successful against those guys,” Powers said. “They’re going to make things hard on us and if we don’t match that work ethic it’ll be a difficult series for us.”

The two head coaches are familiar with each other as Riggin assisted Powers while he coached the 2012-13 Western Mustangs men’s university team during Clarke Singer’s sabbatical.

“Sometimes there might be a few head games in there but it’s all fun and part of the job,” said Riggin, who is still a student at Western, currently working on his PhD.

On the injury front the Nationals, the 2013 Sutherland Cup champions, will begin the postseason with a predominately healthy roster.

Strathroy’s leading scorer Shane Bulitka, a 16-year-old Ilderton native, sat out the last three games while dealing with an upper-body injury but should be good to go for the opener; however, Wesley Kelly, a 17-year-old forward from Komoka, suffered a concussion about six weeks ago and likely won’t be ready for the series.

“Which is too bad because we rely on him for quite a bit of offence,” Riggin said.

London’s leading point producer, forward Brenden Trottier, was a trade deadline acquisition that has helped create some depth up front.

“It allows us to move some bodies around on our power-play unit to make other guys a little more effective,” Powers said. “Especially having home-ice advantage now, it’s more difficult for teams to line match against our top lines when we’ve got two to three pretty good full lines.”

London Nationals (2) vs. Strathroy Rockets (7)

Records: London 31-14-4-1, Strathroy 12-24-4-10

Season series: London won 5-1

Goals head-to-head: London 25, Strathroy 16

Special teams: London 22% power play, 84% penalty kill; Strathroy 15% PP, 77% PK

Leading scorers: London – John Warren 28 goals, Brenden Trottier 67 points; Strathroy – Max Ewart 19G, Shane Bulitka 42P

[Port hockey1]

Sarnia Observer;

(2) London Nationals (31 wins-14 losses-4 ties-1 overtime loss) vs (7) Strathroy Rockets (12-24-4-10)

Season series: London 5-1-0-0 Strathroy 1-5-0-0

Goals head-to-head: London 25 Strathroy 16

Special teams: London 22% power play, 84% penalty kill; Strathroy 15% PP, 77% PK

Leading scorers: London – John Warren 28 goals, Brenden Trottier 67 points; Strathroy – Max Ewart 19G, Shane Bulitka 42P



The playoffs couldn't come soon enough for the London Nationals.

The club stumbled through the final week of the regular season while dropping four of its last five contests – one against a non-playoff team – but, as head coach Pat Powers pointed out, that was mostly due to winning 14 of 16 games starting in mid-December that all but cemented second place in the conference.

“I think things kind of came a little bit easy to us there,” Powers said. “Complacency set in a little bit, so I think guys are definitely going to be excited for a change and get back to playing some big games.

“It'll be interesting to see if it brings the best out of us.”

Motivation won't be hard to find for the Rockets as they are stockpiled with several London and area players and are led by head coach Brendan Riggin, a 25-year-old London native.

“I know a few guys before we even knew who we were playing that were hoping to play London for exactly that reason, they're either from London or grew up playing against these guys,” Riggin said. “There's definitely going to be a hometown rivalry there.”

Despite being the two/seven match-up, the season series was fairly close as four of the Nationals' five victories were either one- or two-goal decisions. The Rockets also shut out London 4-0 at Western Fair in mid-November.

“That was a game where we didn't want to put the work in to be successful against those guys,” Powers said. “They're going to make things hard on us and if we don't match that work ethic it'll be a difficult series for us.”

The two head coaches are intimately familiar with each other as Riggin assisted Powers while he coached the 2012-13 Western Mustangs men's university team during Clarke Singer's sabbatical.

“Sometimes there might be a few head games in there but it's all fun and part of the job,” said Riggin, who is still a student at Western currently working on his PhD.

On the injury front the Nationals, the 2013 Sutherland Cup champions, will begin the post-season with a predominately healthy roster.

Strathroy's leading scorer Shane Bulitka, a 16-year-old Ilderton native, sat out the last three games while dealing with an upper-body injury but should be good to go for the opener, however Wesley Kelly, a 17-year-old forward from Komoka, suffered a concussion about six weeks ago and likely won't be ready for the series.

“Which is too bad because we rely on him for quite a bit of offence,” Riggin said.

London's leading point producer, forward Brenden Trottier, was a trade deadline acquisition that has helped create some depth up front.

“It allows us to move some bodies around on our power play unit to make other guys a little more effective,” Powers said. “Especially having home ice advantage now, it's more difficult for teams to line match against our top lines when we've got two to three pretty good full lines.”

In goal, Powers said he hasn't decided whether to start Zack Weir or Connor Hughes. Hughes, a 19-year-old London native, has played about 350 more minutes than Weir this year.

Dane Gubbels is the likely starter for Strathroy as netminder Mat Ouellet joined the junior C Mount Forest Patriots prior to the deadline in order to be eligible to play another season at that level next year as a 21 year old.

[Port hockey1]

Looks like London took care of business tonight, 7-2. I still think Strathroy will tighten up a bit in this series.

[jfvoll]

I watched a bit of it on TV, it was 1-1 when I started watching it and turned it after 3-1. Oddly enough, I turned the TV to the Chicago-Detriot game and like a minute after watching, they started talking about the one ref, Kendrick Nicholson, who played for the Cullies and wore Eddie Olczyk number!

[RocketGirl]

We played great the first period. There was a lot of intensity from the boys, I sat behind the bench and could hear them cheering each other on, which I haven't witnessed this season. Play-offs is a whole new thing and they seemed ready and into it, and then it felt like it just kind of faded.

Sat. is a whole new day and it's a 7 game series for a reason.

[Oglethorp]

Strathroy only had 5 shots on net in the 1st period. London was the better team in all 3 zones all 3 periods. Just a typical game where skill wins out in the end. 3 of London's 7 goals came on the powerplay against the #23 ranked penalty kill. If Strathroy wants to have a chance in this they need to stay out of the box. Killing penalties hasn't been very successful for them all year and it won't likely change now.

[Qwerty]

Rockets may be capable of a surprise win on Saturday to get back in it on their smaller home ice. Otherwise, this series is done in 4, despite what the crack-smoking GOFAN999 may predict. Strathroy's physical play is they only place they outshine London but their biggest problem, as Ogie points out, is penalties. Nats biggest problem seems to be injuries. They've been without their top goal scorer and tender for weeks now. If London gets back to a full bench, they'll meet Leamington in the final after what promises to be an entertaining series vs Lasalle.

[Port hockey1]

I watched a bit of it on TV, it was 1-1 when I started watching it and turned it after 3-1. Oddly enough, I turned the TV to the Chicago-Detriot game and like a minute after watching, they started talking about the one ref, Kendrick Nicholson, who played for the Cullies and wore Eddie Olczyk number!

I saw that too!

[Qwerty]

Game 2 looks like it was an exciting back and forth game. Good for Strathroy to keep it close and Nats to battle back after falling behind 3-1. Rockets won't be able rebound on the big ice at the Fair. Game 4 may be a penalty fest when Rockets see the writing on the wall, but Nats will end this in 4.

[Port hockey1]

London squeaked out a 4-3 win tonight. London saw 2-0, & 3-2 leads evaporate, but potted the winner late in the 3rd period.

Been a close series so far.

[RocketGirl]

We played well again last night. We were so close and let it slip through our fingers again.

[Port hockey1]

Strathroy blows London out 5-0 in game 4

Looks like Strathroy completely controlled that entire game... Maybe this series isn't over yet.

[Qwerty]

Rockets played a great game facing elimination. Their home rink is well suited to their high-energy, physical style. If Nats don't end it tonight, they will be in real trouble. Winning the 4th is never easy and Strathroy's got some swagger now.

[RocketGirl]

My boys are alive for 1 more day! All I cared about was winning 1 game in the play-offs. We've been swept the last 2 years, so now we have a win. Of course, now I want a 2nd.

Last night was a fantastic game. We set 2 new team records! Griffin and Bulitka's goals at 12 seconds apart in the 2nd period is a new team record, the previous was 13 by Max Campbell and Joe McDonough in 2007 against Sarnia in the finals. Saunders' goal with Griff & Bullet set a new team record at 33 seconds, which had no data before.

Also, this was the first time London had be shut out in the play-offs since Mar. 9 2006 against St. Marys.

[cpt obvious]

Rockets have to be happy winning one in this series, If I had to guess I would say London wins at home big tonight to close out the series and send the message that they aren't to be takin lightly. I'm sure the OHA will have their best refs on the ice tonight to control what could be come a bloodbath. Can't wait.

[Port hockey1]

Looks like London came prepared tonight. At least the Rockets got a win, for a young team that hasn't enjoyed any recent playoff success that must have felt great.

London has a good team, the Rockets should be very proud for coming out and battling hard this series.

[RocketGirl]

Last night was unfortunate, but every season must come to an end at some point. We didn't get swept this year, so that's already a huge improvement. And games 2 & 3 were very close that they could have gone either way.

I'm proud of my boys, as I always am, and am excited to see what the future holds for this young club.

Congrats to London as well and good luck in the next round. I'll probably be at the games at the Western Fair.