Quick observations from Ontario this year:
- Its a shame that the Allan Cup game times still aren't known. This is likely done on purpose to maximize ticket package sales and the flex packs for the round robin with only 1 playoff ticket per game included which is designed to sell ticket packages to 1 person only.
- The finals location hasn't been announced. It should go to Hamilton for winning the regular season and advancing further than Dundas in the playoffs.
- The dual host with 2 entries is a shame, especially if Brantford doesn't win the league and advance to the Allan Cup tournament. I'm sure the hosts would like them to qualify to boost local attendance and minimize travel costs from another team.
Hamilton-
- Lot of former ECHL Beast players and young for a senior level team. This may play in their favour with multiple games in a tight window for the Allan Cup.
- They have likely the top goalie in Munro. Best season in years from a goalie and the MVP was well deserved.
Dundas-
- Not nearly as strong as the 2014 championship team. I was surprised they had to bring some players out of long term retirement. Some good names that had been on my radar several years ago but some haven't played pro or competitive hockey in close to 10 years. I would've thought being a host would've led to some more talent acquired. I'm not sure if big budgets from other teams required them to be more resourceful this year.
- Very top heavy up front. They lost vs Brantford in the playoffs because their big guns didn't produce. Check out the points for Williams, Haydar, Stephens, Bonello and P Brewer in the series. Several games missed too from some of those players and suspensions didn't help matters.
- I wonder if the age and fatigue of their top players will hurt them during a hectic tournament schedule. Some of these players mentioned will play almost as many games in a week as they have all season!
- Where has C Watson been since the New Year?
Brantford-
- Been very streaky all year. Long winning and losing streaks all season. Suffered from smaller lineups at times and an inconsistent schedule. Overheard at game #4 that this was in part related to budgets. I guess attendance in Brantford hasn't been as strong as expected.
- Seem to have a consistent lineup now with most of those players attending all games but they sure could use the Donati Brothers, Lain, Prpic and Clarkson.
- What happened with Soares and why did he end up with Hamilton? He has put up much better numbers since switching teams.
- How did the Stoney Creek relocation effect them? I have to think that the relocation to Stoney Creek meant that they had access to those protected players but not the original Blast players as originally anticipated as this was a relocation not a return of the original team. Original former Blast players were effected like Hamilton (Sault) and Dundas (Williams, Stephens, Alcock). I know during last year's playoffs when it was known the Blast were purchased, Stoney Creek officials were salivating during their series vs Dundas over the possibility of acquiring Stephens. Was this part of the agreement that these players got to stay with the teams they played last season with?
Whitby-
- Unfortunate that the Allan Cup year hurt them as the league typically is stronger in Ontario host years. They don't have the resources to compete with other teams loading up and hopefully a poor season doesn't end their run.
- They typically hold advantages icing a full lineup vs teams but they lost a few key players and other teams had better turnouts this year.
- They had rotating goalies the past few years and a lack of consistency in that area seems to have hurt them.
- Making them forfeit a playoff game is a shame, the league should've worked with them to keep them on the ice and ensure a league takes place next year.