All three northern teams in Round 2 of OHL playoffs, two facing off

Sudbury Wolves beat Mississauga Steelheads four games to one in Round 1 of the eastern conference in the OHL playoffs.

The Wolves are headed now to the second round of playoffs against Highway 17 rivals North Bay Battalion.

The first two semifinal games are in North Bay on April 11 and 13, followed by two games in Sudbury April 16 and 18.

On Monday, the Wolves announced a plan to ensure local fans get first pick of playoff tickets.

"The Sudbury Wolves extend our gratitude to Wolves Nation for their unwavering support throughout the season," the team said in a news release.

"Out-of-town fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets 48 hours prior to puck drop for all games at the Den."

The Battalion also won their first-round series 4-1 against Kingston Frontenacs.

During the regular season, "the Battalion finished first in the Central Division and second in the conference, while Sudbury was third in the division and fifth in the conference," the Troops said in a news release Monday.

"The clubs meet in the playoffs for the fourth time and the first since the Battalion relocated to North Bay from Brampton in 2013. Sudbury won a 2005 conference quarterfinal in six games before the Battalion swept a 2012 quarterfinal. Sudbury prevailed in five games in a 2013 quarterfinal."

The winners of this series will play the winners of the match-up between the Oshawa Generals and Ottawa 67s.

Meanwhile, over in the western conference, Soo Greyhounds swept the first round of the playoff series 4-0 against the Guelph Storm.

The hounds are facing the Saginaw Spirit in Round 2 starting Thursday as well.

They won't be on home ice until Game 3.