OHL playoff run continues for Bitten, Verbeek

MONTREAL - Two Canadiens prospects are still in the running for the OHL's J. Ross Robertson Cup.

William Bitten and the Hamilton Bulldogs open their Eastern Conference Championship Series against the Kingston Frontenacs on Wednesday night in Steeltown.
The 19-year-old centerman has two goals and seven points in 10 playoff games for Hamilton.
Bitten, who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens on March 7, hit the 20-goal plateau for the third consecutive season in the OHL ranks.

In addition to lighting the lamp 20 times in 62 regular-season games, the Gloucester, ON native also chipped in with a team-leading 44 assists and ranked third with 64 points.
For his part, Hayden Verbeek and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds punched their ticket to the Western Conference Championship Series on Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old centerman scored a goal and won 17 of his 24 draws in the Greyhounds' 9-7 win over the Owen Sound Attack in Game 7 of their semi-final series in Sault Ste. Marie.

Verbeek, who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens on March 24, has chipped in with four goals and seven points in nine playoff games for the Greyhounds.
The Kingston, ON native also put up career-high numbers during the regular season, registering 30 goals and 31 assists for 61 points in 67 games.
Verbeek and the Greyhounds open their next series against the Kitchener Rangers on Friday night in Northern Ontario.