Memorial Cup Finals Preview: Can the Spitfires Run the Table?

The Ontario Hockey League is being well represented at the 99th Memorial Cup this Sunday, as the OHL Champion Erie Otters after defeating the Saint John Sea Dogs in the Semi Finals 6-3, have punched their ticket to battle the tournament host, Windsor Spitfires who received an automatic bye to the tournaments final after sweeping their way to a 3-0 record through the round robin. While the Spitfires were able to beat the Otters in their first meeting at the Memorial Cup, they were outshot 35-19 by Erie, and by no means the most dominant team on the ice. The question remains, can the Spitfires continue the roll they have been on, or will the Erie Otters prove to be the better team in the all OHL Memorial Cup Final?

Offensive Edge: Erie Otters

While both teams possess wicked offensive fronts, it is the Erie Otters ability to score a goal when needed which makes them the most dangerous offense in the CHL. Possessing offensive weapons such as: Dylan Strome, who has the greatest shot I have seen in the OHL this season, Anthony Cirelli, a player who lives for big time moments like this as he is about to play in his second Memorial Cup Final, Taylor Raddysh, Alex DeBrincat, the OHL's most outstanding player in 2017, Kyle Maksimovich, and OHL Playoff sensation Warren Foegele. Combined with the great depth they do have that is capable of striking when any line is on the ice allows the Otters to have the edge on offense. While Windsor's offense is also very potent with Jeremiah Addison, who recorded a hat-trick in the first meeting at the tournament between the two teams, Gabriel Vilardi, a very skilled centre who led the Spits in points during their OHL Playoff run, Jeremy Bracco, the teams point leader through the regular season, and an excellent supporting cast they seem to lack the star power that the Erie Otters do have on offense. The Erie Otters seem to have more reliable players at their disposal when a large goal is needed. Chalk up the offensive advantage to Erie.

Defensive Edge: Windsor Spitfires

While both teams possess a player who has won the Max Kaminsky Trophy (Mikhail Sergachev 2016, Darren Raddysh 2017), the award handed out in the OHL annually to the leagues most outstanding defenseman, the Spitfires in my mind have the better core at the defensive position. Windsor's defense is headlined by a pair of players who were selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Logan Stanley and Mikhail Sergachev. Stanley coupled with his large 6.07 frame is as good of a defensive defenseman there is in the Ontario Hockey League. His ability to match up against other teams top forward lines will make him an integral part of Windsor's blueprint for success. His teammate on the back end, Mikhail Sergachev possess' a little more of an offensive touch while also being extremely reliable in his own end. Sergachev's offensive touch will be depended upon in aiding the Spitfires in creating chances. Windsor also has defensive talent such as team captain Jalen Chatfield, and Sean Day, a talented two-way defenseman who has been a great addition toe the Spits blue-line. Erie's defense is very underrated, but does not match up to Windsor. Led by the OHL's most outstanding defenseman in 2017, Darren Raddysh who racked up 22 points in 22 games in the playoffs is a phenomenal piece Erie possess' on their backend. However, the rest of the core is not as star studded as their counterparts. While players such as Red Wings 4th Round pick Jordan Sambrook, Eric Cernak, and T.J Fergus are solid defenseman which shape up the Otters top 4, it is apparent they lack the depth that the Spitfires carry on their backend. The Otters will have to swear by the montre the best defense, is a good offense, because it will be likely that their defensive group will not be the better of the two, come this Sunday.

Goaltending Edge: Windsor Spitfires

If you watched any of the OHL Playoffs or have tuned in to see either of these two teams play this week at the Memorial Cup, the eye test will tell you everything you need to know about the goaltending matchup between Troy Timpano and Michael DiPietro: DiPietro is the better of the two netminders. To reiterate the point being made, look no further than the matchup which took place between the two teams this Wednesday. DiPietro faced 35 shots from a skillful Erie offense, turning away 33 attempts, Timpano on the other hand, allowed four goals on a minuscule 19 shots faced. Plain and simple, Timpano has had his struggles through Erie's run. The issues between the pipes for Erie has seen backup goaltender Joseph Murdaca appear 5 times throughout the Otters run. DiPietro in the month of December backstopped the Spitfires to a 3-Game shutout streak seeing him turn aside 64 shots over that stretch of games. The Spits netminder will be a highly coveted goaltending prospect at this years NHL Draft as he is dominating the league at the young age of 17. Windsor's goaltending is as big a reason as any as to why Windsor is in the position they are right now.

So, to make this the battle of cliches will it be offense wins games, but defense wins championships which shines this Sunday as Windsor hoists their 3rd Memorial Cup Championship? Or will the best defense, is a good offense get the Erie Otters to their 1st Memorial Cup Championship? Regardless, with two foes very familiar to each other, and guaranteed at this point, sick of seeing one another, the 2017 Memorial Cup is shaping up to be a phenomenal finish to the 2017 CHL season.

My Prediction: Spitfires win 4-2