All year, Barrie and Ottawa have remained fixed at the top of the OHL Eastern Conference standings, forming the only real challenges to Brantford’s hold on first spot.
The teams finished second and third, all but ensuring they would face off if they won their first round playoff series.
They did that in style.
The second-seed Barrie Colts eliminated Niagara in five games. The third-place Ottawa 67’s swept Kingston in four.
And with first-place Brantford cruising past their competition, the Colts and 67’s will play in the second-round of the playoffs, with Game 1 in Barrie set to go Thursday night.
The winner of the best-of-seven series will play either Brantford or fifth-seed North Bay in the conference championship, with a spot in the OHL title on the line.
The winner of the OHL championship will play in the Memorial Cup.
