Plenty of Previews Examine the Plymouth-Guelph OHL Playoff Series

While the Plymouth Whalers and Guelph Storm are preparing for their first-round Ontario Hockey League playoff series - which starts Friday at 7:05 p.m. at - there are several previews of the series. Here's a compilation:

George Sipple, Detroit Free Press:

The Plymouth Whalers won't go very far in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs if they play like they did last time against the Guelph Storm.

The Whalers open Friday night against Guelph in the first round at . The teams will alternate home games throughout the series, with Game 2 in Guelph on Sunday.

Both teams won twice in the four-game regular-season series, but the Whalers suffered a 9-1 home loss in the last meeting. It was Plymouth's most lopsided loss this season.

"Obviously, they're going to be a tough opponent," Whalers coach and general manager Mike Vellucci said of the Storm. "We weren't playing well the last time we faced them. They beat us here very convincingly. From that point on, we won 10 in a row."

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AUDIO - I speak with Guelph Storm play-by-play voice Larry Mellott in the latest edition of "Plymouth Whalers Weekly", heard Tuesday and Friday from 5:45-6 pm on 88.1FM WSDP.

Paul Osborne of the Guelph Tribune:

There is no doubt the Guelph Storm have their work cut out for them against the Plymouth Whalers in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.

The Whalers finished almost 30 points ahead of the Storm, scored 45 more goals and allowed 33 fewer. The only caveat in this series is that the Storm played pretty well against Plymouth this year.

While they lost 8-4 and 7-5, they also beat the Whalers 4-1 and 9-1 with the last shellacking taking place in Plymouth’s home rink.

In a game where size matters, the Whalers have a huge advantage.

The Storm has just five players listed as being 6-foot-2 or taller – the Whalers have 11.

And when it comes to experience you can put another check mark beside Plymouth. While Guelph has six 17-yearolds in their line-up and three 16-year-olds who play on a regular basis, the Whalers have just two.

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OTHER PLAYOFF PREVIEWS:

Yahoo! Sports Junior Hockey:

(2) Plymouth Whalers (47-18-2-1, 97 pts) vs. (7) Guelph Storm (31-31-2-4, 68 pts)

Season series: Even at 2-2-0-0. Prediction: Plymouth in 5.

Why Plymouth should win: It is their season, pure and simple. Coach-GM Mike Vellucci built the Whalers for the playoffs by focusing on the three D's — depth, defence and dominant goaltending.

On the first count, Ottawa Senators first-rounder Stefan Noesen (38 goals, 82 points) leads an attack which had nine players record at least 45 points. Fellow first-rounders J.T. Miller (23 points in 30 post-world junior games) and Rickard Rakell (25 in 31 since helping Sweden win gold) should be amped for the new challenge of the post-season. Plymouth might also have the best trio of overages in the league seeing how centre Andy Bathgate, imposing wing Jamie Devane and captain Beau Schmitz combining for 162 points. They're solid on the blueline and insured against a breakdown in goal, since world junior 'tender Scott Wedgewood is backed up by Carolina Hurricanes choice Matt Mahalak.

Why Guelph could win: The Storm thrive on frustrating more highly regarded opponents and possess some of the traits of the giant killer. That starts in goal with Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Garret Sparks, extends out to a a defence led by underrated Matt Finn and a group of opportunistic forwards, particularly the draft-eligible Scott Kosmachuk.

Coach Scott Walker and assistant coach Bill Stewart did a commendable job getting Guelph into the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season. However, seven of their top nine point-getters are 18 or younger. They have also been bad at home (14-16-2-2, the worst of any playoff team), so the odds are against them holding serve at the Sleeman Centre. It would not be a shock, though, if they got Plymouth's attention by winning in their rink early on in the series.

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Ryan Pyette, London Free Press/QMI Agency:

Plymouth Whalers (2) Guelph Storm (7)

So far: Team split four games, including Guelph's blowout 9-1 win at Compuware last month.

Stars: Stefan Noesen came on strong late for Plymouth and scored 38 goals. Guelph's Zack Mitchell had an outstanding year (37-38-75). Whalers GM/coach Mike Vellucci stood pat at the trade deadline because his team is already stacked, experienced and cohesive. Plymouth captain and D Beau Schmitz will start the playoffs on the shelf. Guelph D Matt Finn can bolster draft ranking with big series.

Game changers: Workhorse G Garret Sparks, a Leafs prospect, needs to come up big. The Whalers only lost 7 regulation games on home ice. Plymouth G Scott Wedgewood signed contract with New Jersey while D Austin Levi was inked by Carolina.

Prediction: Whale too mighty. Five games.

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Other Previews: Toronto Star; Barrie Examiner.