RACE FOR 8TH

With just one month left on the Ontario Hockey League calendar, the races for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference are starting to become as clear as mud. Literally. There’s a four-team race for home-ice advantage in the first round, with 4th through 7th only separated by five points. A little bit lower in the standings is where our race gets started.

The Generals find themselves in a tight race with the Kingston Frontenacs for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Over the course of the next nine games, we’ll keep things as simple as possible for you via schedule breakdowns, up-to-date results and the magic number needed to secure the X next to the Generals logo.

Starting with this coming weekend, both the Generals and Frontenacs play three games in three nights against some tough opponents. Kingston, who are currently riding a 10-game losing streak, get their weekend started with a home-and-home series with East Division rival Peterborough Petes. The Petes are clearly the heavy favourites currently in 4th. The Frontenacs close out their weekend at home against the Mississauga Steelheads. The Steelheads are also looking for every point possible in their race for home-ice against the Petes.

It’s just as tough a weekend for the Gens, playing a three-in-three of their own against the Central Division leading North Bay Battalion, the Owen Sound attack, and the Flint Firebirds to close out inter-conference play. Oshawa can pretty well put a stamp on the post season with some victories this weekend, but it won’t be easy. The Gens are losers of three-straight games, including a rough stretch of 3-6-0-1 in their last 10 games. A disappointing northern road trip meant the Generals were not able to take advantage of more losses from Kingston.

While neither team can secure their spot this weekend, a big three games from either team could make the picture a lot clearer. Check back to this story every single home game for updated numbers and storylines, including our Race for 8th graphic on the next page!