Regarding the question on the schedule, each team starts with the following:
play the other conference 2 times each = 20
play the other inter-conference division 4 times each = 20
play two teams in our division 8 times each = 16
play two teams in our division 6 times each = 12
Total = 68
Some teams have a variance to that plan to account for geographical rivals in an effort to reduce travel where possible.
In Ottawa’s case, they have always played Sudbury only two times instead of four for as long as I can remember. This is so Sudbury can play SSM more and Ottawa can play the extra two games inside their division.
So, Ottawa would play Kingston, Peterborough and Belleville 8 times. When Belleville moved to Hamilton, they played Oshawa 8 times and Hamilton 6 times.
That changed when Ottawa and Gatineau started playing each other. Hamilton and Peterborough were each reduced a game this year. So, Ottawa has Kingston and Oshawa 8 times, Peterborough 7 times and Hamilton 5 times.
My personal opinion is, I don’t like the Ottawa vs Gatineau games. However, if they insist on doing it, they should play each other six times. Both Ottawa and Gatineau have silly travel schedules and if they were to increase those games, it would at least have a positive travel effect for both teams.