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Lethbridge Mavericks - Rosemere Titans 4-3

Stating that Wayne Simmond's post season for performance has been underwhelming is not an undestatement. The power forward only had a single goal to show for in the first seven playoffs games. However that lone goal more than made up for the missing offense.

With less than five minutes left to play with the score tied at 3, Simmonds was finally able to cheer when slotting home from close range after a perfect feed from J.T Compher and with that sent the Mavericks into the Conference semi finals.

Second seeded Lethbridge Mavericks and seventh seeded Rosemere Titans squared off for what turned out to be one of the closest playoff series this year.

Coming in as clear favourites, the Mavs started off flying taking a 2-0 series lead but the Titans struck back with three consecutive victories, swinging the momentum their side.If it weren't for the heroics of Matt Murray in net, the Titans would have clinched it in 6.

On the brink of an early post season exit, the Mavs took a 3-1 lead away from home, but saw the Titans claw back to tie the game 3-3. Despite firing 54 shots on net, it were the Mavericks who were able to celebrate when  Jordan Martinook's shot through traffic flew in behind a surprised Roberto Luongo midway the second overtime period.

Throughout the series, much of the Titans strategy was to get the maximum out of their top offensive line. Not affected by frequent double shifting the Couturier, Wheeler and Dubois came up great combinding for a total of 14 goals and 34 points. Unfortunately for the Titans, the super trio eventually ran out of gas.  A gruleing 7 game series including three games that went to overtime, combined with a lack of squad depth resulted in them having to call defeat.

Despite the first round exit, the overall fan appreciation was skyrocketing as the Titans backoffice saw an unusual large number of season ticket sales for the upcoming season being sold in the first few days following the elimination.

The Mavericks claimed that going through such a tough series successfully will prepare them even better for the semi finals. Although the Jaguars had an additional week of rest after having swept the Braves, Mavs coach Paul Maurice strongly believes his team's focus is still in tact and shows no signs of fatigue.

Mavericks GM Harrington was unavailable to talk to the media to comment on the series.

Ottawa Grinders - Mississauga Knights 4-3

Ottawa fans do not necessarily expect a well oil machine on the ice all the time, but they do know they can rely on a team that is giving their 110% each time. The playoff match-up against the Mississauga Knights was no different as the Grinders gave credit to their team name, grinding their way through this 7-game series which was sealed with a near perfect game.

Prior to the playoffs, many felt this series was going to be one of the hardest to predict in the Canadian Conference and they turned out to be correct.

Home ice advantage looked to be key this series.

The Knights started off great, winning both their home games. Game 1 needed overtime to be decided and despite the Grinders getting the better opportunities it was Brett Connolly who pounced on a juicy rebound to give the Kinights the series lead.

The goal was heavily debated by the Grinders who felt there was a clear case of obstruction leading up to their goal. Emotions were still running high when the two teams met again.

Immediately following the puck drop in game 2, Zdeno Chara and Dustin Byfuglien dropped the gloves after both players had already been close to interact with one another after a series of trash talk.

Eventually cooler heads prevailed and the Knights, boosted by a pair of James van Riemsdyk goals and 34-save performance by John Gibson ran away with a 3-1 victory.

Stull fuming about the obstruction incident, the Grinders came out storming in their first home game, taking a 3-0 lead midway the first period. Although the Knights came back to 3-2 incl. a 17 shot third period barrage, the Grinders stood tall and cut the series deficit to one.

High up tempo hockey was shown in game 4 where the crowd were on their feet. After a scoreless first period, the Grinders took a commanding 4-0 lead in the second period but that wasn't the only excitement the fans in Ottawa were witnessing. Frustrated by the scoreline, Josh Bailey decided to pick a a fight with Grinders' forward Gustav Nyquist but as he was about to swing a blow to the head, his right arm got stuck in his jersey, leaving him fully exposed for the Swede to sent Bailey down to the ground. Aside from the humiliation of the fans, Bailey saw a 10 fighting major + 10 minutes isitgator call being assigned to him by referee Dan O'Rourke.

The following two games were both confidently won by the hosts meaning the series would have to be decided in game 7.

With the Knights holding the upper hand thanks to their home ice advantage, it were the Grinders who saved the best for last and put up a monsterous peformance on the ice shattering any playoff ambitions the Knights might have had; 5-1.

The Grinders can prepare themselves for another tough battle against the Toronto Hitmen and despite the final outcome, the fans can be assured, the team won't go down easily without a shout.

Knights GM Paul Resendes did not want to comment to the media as he did not participate in the media scrum afterwards and left the area immediately following game 7.

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