A seven year playoff drought is over for the Excelsiors. Ironic that they once again face the Athletics. The '95 series saw the infamous brawl at Burgoyne when several Brampton players took the fights into the stands. This series should be tamer and less competitive. Can the Excelsiors win their first playoff game in seven years? In yet another ironic twist Coach Tallevi led Wallaceburg past unbeaten Elora a year ago in a major upset. Should the Double Blues beware? The last time Brampton finished in eight place, in 1980, they went into Whitby for the first Quarter final game and beat the first place team and eventual Minto Cup winner. Only on rare occasions has the eighth place team even won a playoff game against the top club. The '76 Gaels are the only team to take two in one series. After 1980, the next squad to win a game was the '93 Warriors, who took Game Four against St.Catharines. Since then only Orillia has had any success as a number eight seed.
At the other end of the table are the perfect Athletics. They've had the first perfect regular season since the Peterborough squads of '86 and '87. Both those teams swept through the OLA playoffs without a loss then advanced to win the Minto Cup. Other perfect teams were 1981 Peterborough, 1974 Peterborough, 1972 Peterborough and 1968 Oshawa. Each became Minto Cup champs. Only the 1948 St.Catharines Athletics failed. After a 10-0 regular season they were beated by Vancouver in the Minto Final.
So the opportunity is there for the Excelsiors to make history. We're not holding our breath however. Brampton is sadly outmatched. Not even their recent good form will save them against the Minto Cup Holders. This series will simply show how focused the A's are and perhaps, if their interest is lacking, it will give their future opponents reason to hope that St.Catharines can be had.
Players To Watch: Dan Dawson has become a one man show. Any offensive positives the Excelsiors can muster will come from him. Jon Iannucci was there when the A's needed him in May. He's since faded into the background slightly. Now it's playoff time and we'll see what this western star is made of.
Prediction: Four low scoring wins for the Double Blues. Expect the scores to be something like 12-4. Game Two in Brampton will be the Excelsiors' best shot at winning.
ORANGEVILLE vs WHITBY
Previous meetings:
2000 Semi Final- Orangeville 4 Whitby 1
1996 Final- Orangeville 4 Whitby 1
all time record: Orangeville 8 wins to 2; Orangeville 2 series to 0.
An unusual matchup for so early in the playoffs. Last season was the first time since 1994 that both these teams did not make the Semi Final. The Northmen fell short a year ago. Expect the Warriors to miss out this time around. Two very interesting teams who should be able to step on the floor and be competitive against anybody. That bodes well for lacrosse fans as this showdown has the potential to be the best Quarter final series. But will it be?
The HornHeads have been arguably the second best lacrosse team in the province the past five weeks. Once they got all their veteran players back from school and got them settled into the lineup this team has progressed constantly. Whitby has been the more consistent team over the whole season. They've been consistently inconsistent. From May to July nothing has changed for the Warriors. They play a great period then follow it with a bad period. Or they start slowly and finish strong. The one thing they have not done all year has been to play a full sixty minutes of lacrosse. Is it possible to magically turn on the intensity for the post season? Whitby has the veteran players to pick up their game. But until they actually do it there will be serious doubts about this club.
That doesn't mean Orangeville can go ahead and rent the bus for their first trip to St.Catharines. This series could be very competitive. The Warriors may have one big advantage between the pipes. Scott Wylie is a veteran with lots to prove. Scott Patterson is very inexperienced and will see his first ever playoff game next week. If the games are close enough goaltending could sink the Northmen(one need only glance back at last year's Quarter Final series.). Given recent form - a surging Orangeville squad against an inconsistent Whitby team - this series could be a quick win for the Northmen if the ball bounces their way. If Whitby gets the breaks this could be a fun one. Of course the Warriors must give themselves a chance to take advantage of any breaks they get. To do that their leaders must bring their best to the table. Anything less and Whitby will be embarrassed.
Players To Watch: Disappointing Mike Morrison is the spark which can ignite the Warriors, or he could continue to be the disappointment which drags them down. Scott Patterson is the one Northman with added pressure on him.
Prediction: It's too easy to guarantee a Northmen win but say I don't know in how many games. So I'll say Orangeville in five close ones, none decided by more than four goals. I don't wish to jinx the HornHeads by picking a sweep, plus Whitby has too good a team and deserve more respect than that. However, I would not be surprised if certain Whitby players throw in the towel early and the Warrior playoff exit turns into an act of mercy. Turmoil will doom any team, regardless of its talent.
TORONTO/PETERBOROUGH/ORILLIA/SIX NATIONS
Matchups still to be determined, pending Arrows visit to Brampton Sunday afternoon. A Six Nation's loss and they will probably have to turn around and travel to Toronto Monday night. So it is a meaningful game.
Previous meetings:
Toronto vs Orillia have never met.
Toronto vs Six Nations
1992 Quarter Final- Six Nations 4 Toronto 0
Peterborough vs Orillia have never met.
Peterborough vs Six Nations
2001 Semi Final- Six Nations 4 Peterborough 0
1993 Quarter Final- Six Nations 4 Peterborough 2
all time record: Six Nations 8 wins to 2; Six Nations 2 series to 0.
TORONTO BEACHES
With their defence, size and goaltending this is one formidable opponent. They will make their first trip to the Semi Final since 1993. I don't care who they play, they are too strong and well coached to be upset. Plus they've been playing post-season style lacrosse all year long. Only negative regarding Beaches is the rumour that they will be turfed out of Ted Reeve for the playoffs. That's an unsettling developement no team needs.
Player To Watch: The most interesting thing to look for in the first round will be the return of Ryan Cousins. His offensive talent will be desperately needed in August
PETERBOROUGH LAKERS
They are exactly where I expected them to be and they have not disappointed anyone. In fact their defence is much improved which bodes well for the playoffs. They've also improved their depth by adding players such as Raweras Mitchell and Jonathan Kane. There's no reason this team can't go all the way to the Final, as most people have expected them to do. Nevertheless, they have won a bunch of close games this year so they can expect a competitve Quarter final series. Unlike last year they will be in a new position - expected to win. Will they accept that challenge and raise their game to a higher level or will they let the pressure get to them and end up having to fight for their lives just to advance? The Lakers should be involved in the highest scoring playoff series, against either Six Nations or Orillia. They should also win.
Player To Watch: Let's see how well Raweras Mitchell fits into the Lakers now and if he can become a consistent offensive performer.
ORILLIA KINGS
This is the team no one wants to meet. They have two solid goaltenders. Luke Wiles and Jeff Zywicki are two of the best. Most importantly, seemingly washed up Troy Thompson is happy and has rediscovered his game. Team Turmoil appears contented heading into the post-season. Now is the time for them to make up for all the disappointments of the past. Against Toronto they will likely face too much defence for them to handle. It could still be a long homer series, with the Kings being tough in Rama. I wouldn't be surprised to see Orillia take the Beach Boys past five games. Against Peterborough, the opportunity to pull a big upset will exist. The Lakers undersized defence will allow Orillia's highly skilled players the space they need to thrive. Solving Cole Murray will be a problem. And stopping the Laker's offence a bigger problem. Still the Kings will have their chance. If the Green Machine disappoints then the Rama Boys will surprise. Expect Peterborough to prevail in a six game struggle.
Player To Watch: Troy Thompson will either be an inspiration or he'll be invisible.
SIX NATIONS ARROWS
A month ago we were all having visions of 1997. How things can change in a month. The Arrows seem to be limping towards the finish line. Their inexperience is really showing. That means trouble for the Quarter Final. Yes they had regular season success against both Peterborough and Toronto. The playoffs will be a different story. The Arrows could still be very competitive, however, how they fare will be an indicator as to how good Toronto and Peterborough really are. The Arrows simply don't have the experience or talent to succeed in the post-season. The question isn't whether Six Nations can win a series. The question is whether they will be able to win any games.
Player To Watch: Ken Barrett. Strong goaltending to compliment the Arrows offensive talent could allow them to spring a surprise or two.
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