Similar to the 2000 U.S. Presidential election featuring George W. Bush and Al Gore, the upcoming 1st round match up between the Kanata Lasers and Brockville Braves is too close to call. The only difference is that this series won’t take a month to determine an eventual winner. One could embark deep into the statistical jungles of the CCHL in an effort to find an edge for either club, but picking a winner is as reliable as Russian roulette. The season series was split at three games a piece with all wins coming on home ice. Four games were decided by a single goal including a shootout February 22nd, a 3-2 Laser win which was the most recent meeting.
Special teams always provide a water cooler discussion come playoff time and could very well sway the series. Brockville boasts the league’s 2nd ranked powerplay at just under 20% success and rock star defenceman Jonathan Hill contributed 30 points with the man advantage during the regular season. However all of that is met with equal footing on the side of Kanata. The Lasers occupied the 2nd best penalty kill in the league which includes the likes of Tanner Schroeder, who is about as annoying as a horsefly in July to opposing teams.
The situation in the crease offers no increased clarity. Kanata have two capable playoff starters in Gabriel Carriere and Logan Bateman. Head coach Nathan Hewitt has kept his hand hidden as to who will get the call for game 1 tonight. The team could ride either goalie throughout the playoffs or flip flop them based on performance. In Brockville’s case, Minnesota born first year Brave Justin Evenson is unquestionably the starter. He appeared in all six games versus Kanata this year posting a shutout while turning aside 178 of 190 Laser shots, good for a ridiculous .936 save percentage. None of the three goalies mentioned have any CCHL playoff experience.
Speaking of experience, perhaps that will be the difference fans can draw from to establish an edge. In terms of post season games played in the Central Canada Hockey League, Brockville enters with a collective 60 playoff games played throughout their roster. Captain Andrew Jarvis leads the way with 19 total in his career. The only Laser with CCHL playoff experience under his belt is D Ryan Bunka with ten games back in 2015-16 with the Hawkesbury Hawks. The lack of post season time could cause folks to conclude to try to get it going and may be at risk of gripping sticks a little too tightly and letting emtions run wild. The Braves Michael Locatelli and Mike McArthur, both former Lasers, have a combined 249 career games played without seeing the playoffs. Talk about added incentive. Meanwhile nearly all of Kanata’s roster are playoff virgins.
Brockville Game breaker
Braves forward Tyson Kirkby is a gamer every night he laces em’ up. There’s no reason why he can’t bring an even more heightened display of intensity come this evening. The ’97 born Prescott ON product finished just shy of a point per game splitting his time with Kemptville and Brockville. He had 50 points in 52 games.
Supporting Cast
Brockville has ten players who finished north of 30 points in the regular season – pointing to a group that can score throughout the entirety of the lineup. Eric Holland, who buried a hat trick against Kanata on February 2nd in a 5-0 Braves win had a near even ratio of 24 goals and 25 assists. Look for Phillppe Gilmour and Jordi Jefferson to play key roles as both had 45+ point seasons.
Kanata Game Breaker
Rookie of the year and top prospect Jack Quinn will need to rediscover his scoring prowess if the Lasers are to see 2nd round action. The 16 year old hasn’t found the back of the net in 15 straight. Quinn scored his 1st CCHL goal in the opening game of the season series back on September 21st, part of a 2-1 Laser victory. He also lead the way with 2 goals and 3 helpers facing the Braves this season.
Supporting Cast
Will Brochu can supply offence at any time with his Ovechkin-like lethal one timer on the powerplay. Luca Nocita lead the team in points and has been the epitome of consistency all year. Kanata should be thrilled to welcome back Connor Sleeth after serving out a six game suspension for a check to the head against Nepean back on February 11th. Kanata is dangerous defensively with the likes of captain Liam Markhauser and Markham’s Ryan Bunka who had 74 points combined from the back end. The two can break ankles with their head fakes up the ice.
If Vegas had a line on the CCHL it would be dead even for this series. Expect nothing short of a seven game affair for what is easily the most intriguing of the opening round match ups in the chase for the Bogart Cup. All games will be featured on Hockey TV.
By: Brett Bonisteel.
