One day after the NCAA staged its “Selection Sunday,” organizers of the OHL Cup are hosting their own precursor to March Madness.
The road to the Cup became a bit clearer for 10 tournament hopefuls after their names were selected at random draw to participate in one of five Wild Card Play-In Games slated for Tuesday, March 15. Like the lower ranked NCAA basketball teams that hope to find lightning in a bottle come tournament tip-off, these 10 teams are looking to replicate the performance of the Sean Monahan-led Mississauga Rebels in 2010 and become just the second Wild Card team to go on and win the OHL Cup.
The matchups are as follows:
Wild Card Play-In Game 1
10:00 am at Scotiabank Pond 1
Vaughan Kings vs. Quinte Red Devils
Players to Watch: Giovanni Vallati (D, Kings) and Nathan Dunkley (F, Red Devils)
Wild Card Play-In Game 2
12:00 pm at Scotiabank Pond 1
Halton Hurricanes vs. Mississauga Senators
Players to Watch: Mitchell Hewitson (F, Hurricanes) and Alexis Gravel (G, Senators)
Wild Card Play-In Game 3
2:00 pm at Scotiabank Pond 1
Clarington Toros vs. Kingston Jr. Frontenacs
Players to Watch: Liam Robertson (F, Toros) and Nolan Hutcheson (F, Jr. Fronetenacs)
Wild Card Play-In Game 4
3:15 pm at Scotiabank Pond 2
Don Mills Flyers vs. Kitchener Jr. Rangers
Players to Watch: Jack McBain (F, Flyers) and Eric Uba (F, Jr. Rangers)
Wild Card Play-In Game 5
4:00 pm at Scotiabank Pond 1
Markham Majors vs. Niagara North Stars
Players to Watch: Liam Foudy (F, Majors) and Riley McCourt (D, North Stars)