In Play Magazine
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League regular season schedule wraps up on Sunday March 14, 2010. With five days remaining, only 13 of the 16 playoff spots have been clinched with several teams still in position to move up or down in the standings.
Here is an overview of the OHL Playoff Format and Tiebreaking System along with the current Standings and Playoff Scenarios:
Playoff Format:
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 also have 13 days to finish while the Conference Championships are 14 days in length. The OHL Championship Series is also 14 days in length.
Tiebreaking 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.
For all other playoff positions, the following tie-breaking procedures are 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.
Ontario Hockey League Standings and Current Playoff Scenarios:
Eastern Conference:
1. Barrie Colts – 110 points (54-9-0-2) – 3 games remaining (vs. BRA, at BRA, vs. KGN) – Colts have clinched the Hamilton Spectator Trophy with first place overall.
2. Ottawa 67’s – 78 points (35-23-5-3) – 2 games remaining (at OTT, vs. SBY) – 67’s have clinched second place in the Eastern Conference as East Division winners.
3. Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – 86 points (40-19-4-2) – 3 games remaining (at NIAG, vs. BELV, vs. NIAG) – Majors have clinched third place in the Eastern Conference.
4. Kingston Frontenacs – 71 points (33-27-2-3) – 3 games remaining (vs. SBY, at BAR, at BRA) – Frontenacs have clinched fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
5. Brampton Battalion – 62 points (24-27-7-7) – 3 games remaining (at BAR, vs. BAR, vs. KGN) – Battalion have clinched a playoff spot but can automatically clinch fifth place with a single point.
6. Peterborough Petes – 58 points (27-35-1-3) – 2 games remaining (vs. SBY, vs. OSH) – Petes can automatically clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Generals loss.
7. Niagara IceDogs – 57 points (25-33-2-5) – 3 games remaining (vs. MISS, vs. BELV, at MISS) – IceDogs need three points to automatically clinch a playoff spot.
8. Sudbury Wolves – 56 points (25-34-3-3) – 3 games remaining (at PBO, at KGN, at OTT) – Wolves need four points to automatically clinch a playoff spot.
9. Oshawa Generals – 53 points (24-36-3-2) – 3 games remaining (at BELV, at OTT, at PBO) – Generals trail the Wolves by four points.
Western Conference:
1. Windsor Spitfires – 103 points (49-11-0-5) – 3 games remaining (vs. PLY, at LDN, at SAR) – Spitfires need one point or a Knights loss to clinch first overall in the Western Conference.
2. London Knights – 97 points (47-15-1-2) – 3 games remaining (vs. SAR, vs. WSR, at ER) – Knights have clinched the second seed but can take over first with three wins and three Spitfire losses.
3. Kitchener Rangers – 87 points (40-18-4-3) – 3 games remaining (vs. OS, at SAG, at SSM) – Rangers have clinched third place in the Western Conference.
4. Plymouth Whalers – 78 points (38-25-0-2) – 3 games remaining (at WSR, at SSM, vs. SAG) – Whalers can automatically clinch fourth place with a single point or a Greyhounds loss.
5. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – 73 points (34-26-1-4) – 3 games remaining (vs. SAG, vs. PLY, vs. KIT) – Greyhounds have clinched a playoff spot but can still drop as low as eighth place.
6. Erie Otters – 71 points (32-27-5-2) – 2 games remaining (at GUE, vs. LDN) – Otters have clinched a playoff spot but can still move as high as fifth or as low as eighth place.
7. Saginaw Spirit – 70 points (32-27-4-2) – 3 games remaining (at SSM, vs. KIT, at PLY) – Spirit have clinched a playoff spot but can still move as high as fifth place or as low as eighth.
8. Guelph Storm – 68 points (32-29-3-1) – 3 games remaining (at SAR, vs. ER, at OS) – Storm have clinched a playoff spot but can still move as high as fifth place.
