Win and you’re in – that’s the thought hanging over the heads of eight teams slated to play Wild Card Play-In Games in order to gain entry into round-robin competition at the 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour. If history is any indication, Wild Card winners are never to be underestimated. In 2017, the Championship Final saw two Wild Card teams compete, with the Mississauga Reps coming out on top to win it all. Here’s who could be competing at the 2019 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour. Click here to see the revised Wild Card format.
Wild Card 1 (10 am) – North Central Predators vs. Mississauga Senators
The Mississauga Senators (GTHL) secured their Wild Card Game by winning their play-in series against the Vaughan Kings. The North Central Predators (OMHA – ETA) were chosen to compete in a Wild Card Game by the Tournament Selection Committee. The Preds boast an impressive regular season record, finishing at the top of the ETA West standings. The Preds were eliminated from the second round of the OMHA playoffs by the Quinte Red Devils. Their Wild Card opponents finished the GTHL regular season with only nine wins on record, going 9-14-10. The Senators experienced a first-round playoff exit after falling to the Toronto Marlboros in five games.
Wild Card 2 (11:30 am) – North York Rangers vs. Niagara North Stars
Finishing the season three points behind the first place Halton Hurricanes, the Niagara North Stars had a surprisingly early playoff exit, falling to the Guelph Jr. Gryphons. The North Stars were granted a Wild Card Play-In Game as a result of winning their SCTA Consolation matchup over the Southern Tier Admirals. The North Stars will face the North York Rangers, who were swept by the Don Mills Flyers in the first round of the Scotiabank GTHL Playoffs. The Rangers were awarded a Wild Card Play-In Game by the Tournament Selection Committee.
Wild Card 3 (1 pm) – London Jr. Knights vs. Guelph Gryphons
Losing their series against the Waterloo Wolves, the London Jr. Knights will matchup against the Guelph Jr. Gryphons for the third Wild Card Play-In Game of the day. The Gryphons finished fifth in their tournament championship, granting them a Wild Card Game. The Gryphons finished the regular season only three points back of the Niagara North Stars, finishing third in the OMHA-SCTA. The Knights finished their regular season with the same number of wins as the Gryphons and earned their Wild Card Game by finishing fourth in ALLIANCE.
Wild Card 4 (2:30 pm) – Waterloo Wolves vs. Mississauga Rebels
Fresh off their win over the London Jr. Knights, the Waterloo Wolves finished second in the ALLIANCE regular season, only one point back of the Brantford 99ers. Their opponent, the Mississauga Rebels, finished their regular season with 19 wins to the Wolves 20. The Rebels put up a fight against the Toronto Red Wings in the first round of the Scotiabank GTHL Playoffs, ultimately losing the series 8-6. The Rebels were granted a Wild Card Play-In Game after winning their play-in series against the North York Rangers.
For the latest scores and standings from the OHL Cup powered by Under Armour, visit Game On Mobile and OHLCup.ca.
