After rolling through their respective first-round playoff series, the Ottawa 67’s and Barrie Colts figure to be in a much more gruelling battle when the OHL post-season resumes later this week.

The 67’s and Colts square off in what has the potential to be a very compelling Eastern Conference semifinal, with Barrie having home-ice advantage by virtue of winning the Central Division.

The Colts will host Games 1 and 2 on Thursday and Saturday, before the series shifts to Ottawa’s TD Place for Game 3 (Tuesday, April 14) and Game 4 (Thursday, April 16).

If necessary, Game 5 is scheduled for April 18 in Barrie, Game 6 on April 19 in Ottawa and Game 7 on April 21 in Barrie.

The 67’s actually finished with one more point than the Colts, but settled for second in their division behind the OHL-best Brantford Bulldogs.

The Colts polished off the Niagara IceDogs in five games in the first round, while the 67’s swept the overmatched Kingston Frontenacs in a 613-rivalry series.

On paper, Barrie probably has the edge against Ottawa. The Colts feature three first-round NHL picks — dangerous defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson (New York Islanders), and forwards Cole Beaudoin (Utah Mammoth) and Emil Hemming (Dallas Stars).

Beaudoin, a Kanata native, and Aitcheson both played for Canada at this year’s World Junior Championship.

The Colts also are getting good production from former 67 Brad Gardiner (a Dallas Stars third-round pick), who had 10 points in the first round.

But the 67’s have been winning all season without as many high-profile players as other contenders. They’re backed by rookie netminder Ryder Fetterolf, who had a 2.50 goals-against average in the first round against the Frontenacs.

Cooper Foster led a balanced attack with six points in the first round.

This marks the first playoff series between the teams since the 67’s won a seven-game conference semifinal in 2012. The 67’s went on to lose to Niagara in the conference final that year.

The Colts are trying to reach the Eastern Conference final for the second year in a row. The Oshawa Generals swept them in last year’s bid to reach the league championship.

Former assistant Dylan Smoskowitz took over as Barrie’s coach this season after Marty Williamson relinquished his coaching role to focus on leading hockey operations as vice-president and general manager.

Coach Dave Cameron’s 67’s, meanwhile, have made a huge jump this year after missing the playoffs last season.

Brantford battles the North Bay Battalion in the other East semifinal. The Battalion beat the Peterborough Petes in double overtime in Game 6 on Saturday to complete the lone first-round upset in the Eastern Conference.

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