The CHL Playoffs are just getting underway — unfortunately for most of the Leafs‘ prospects, they’re also wrapping up.
Tyler Biggs and the Oshawa Generals had their season come to an end Tuesday night as they looked completely overmatched by the Barrie Colts. Biggs had a pretty lacklustre playoffs offensively, putting up just one assist (shorthanded) in 9 games and his chances tended to come in spurts throughout. To an extent, he was snakebitten; getting robbed on the doorstep several times, particularly against the Colts, but he really didn’t seem to get many chances above the crease during the playoffs. Defensively, however, Biggs was strong while running up against two of the premiere forwards in the OHL in Ryan Strome and Mark Scheifele. All in all, it was a mixed bag for Biggs in the playoffs. He was assigned to the Marlies today so we can probably expect him to get into a few games before the AHL playoffs get under way.
In addition to Biggs, the clock seems to be nearing midnight for Josh Leivo and his Kitchener Rangers as well. Leivo’s playoffs have been an extension of his regular season as he’s managed 12 points in 9 games so far and has been his typical well-rounded self. What Leivo has managed to do during the playoffs is play a more disciplined, penalty-free game than he was playing with the Sudbury Wolves. Kitchener coach Steve Spott emphasizes discipline and if Leivo’s game had a wart, it was probably his propensity to take penalties. If Spott’s influence has ironed that out of Leivo’s game, maybe Leafs fans will be able to forgive Spott for how he deployed Rielly during the World Juniors. Maybe. Leivo’s Rangers trail the Knights 3-1 and will look to avoid elimination in game 5 on Friday.
I’ve only seen one of the Knights’ games thus far but Ryan Rupert had a strong showing. Rupert managed an assist late and played a tenacious defensive game against Leivo, Rieder and the Rangers. Statistically, Rupert has 6 points in 8 games for the Knights in his draft+1 playoffs. Rupert is a little guy, but he’s a bulldog on the ice and if he chooses to adopt the style, he could end up being one of the “rats” that Burke was so fond of.
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