GOJHL: Western Conference playoffs starts tonight
Graphic: Courtesy of Phil Den hollander, GOJHL
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Tonight the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Western Conference playoffs begin with two games on the conference’s schedule.
Series’ that are set to commence tonight include Game 1 of the London vs. Sarnia series and Chatham vs. LaSalle.
Here is a look at how each of the teams stack up in their respective series'.
See the full bracket and schedule here:
(1) London Nationals vs. Sarnia Legionnaires (8)
Based on points, the London Nationals were the GOJHL’s second best team with 87 points. London posted a record of 42-5-1-2. Last season the Nationals went all the way to the OHA Sutherland Cup finals where they were defeated in Game 7 of the finals by the Waterloo Siskins. In the regular season, the Nationals were led by the high power offence of Cal Davis (100 points), Max Vinogradov (87 points), Michael Boushy (76 points) and others.
The Sarnia Legionnaires were the last team to get into the Western Conference playoffs. Seventeen wins and 38 points helped the Legionnaires claim the eighth spot in the west. Leading the way offensively for Sarnia was forward Nolan DeGurse with 68 points. DeGurse’s 68 points were 25 points more than the next points leader. Goaltender Nolan DeKoning appeared in the bulk of the Legionnaires games and led the team with 12 wins.
(2) Leamington Flyers vs. Komoka Kings (7)
Leamington’s 38-9-1-2 record was good enough for the Flyers to claim second place in the Western Conference. Last season the Flyers went all the way to the Western Conference Championships but fell to the Nationals in four games. Maddux Rychel had 80 points this season, while in net, Ryan Polidori and Matthew Waite split games.
The Komoka Kings won 17 of 50 games in the regular season. In the 2019 postseason, the Kings were the six seed and went as far as the Western Conference semifinals. The Kings will host Game 2 of the series on Feb. 29 in Komoka while Game 1 will be played in Leamington Feb. 27.
(3) St. Marys Lincolns vs. Strathroy Rockets (6)
To the surprise of most, the St. Marys Lincolns jumped from a non-playoff position (9th) in 2018-19 all the way up to third in the Western Conference. The Lincolns increased its point total by 38 points and will be looking to go on a long playoff run. Kyle Curtin backstopped St. Marys to 19 of its 30 wins and Mason Mantzavrakos led the team with 52 points.
The Strathroy Rockets entered the 2019 postseason as the eighth seed and this year the club improved to the sixth seed. In 2019, the Rockets took the Flyers lasted just five games in the opening round but in the regular season, Strathroy went 3-2-1 against the Lincolns so we could be looking at a tight series.
The series begins Feb. 28 at Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys.
(4) LaSalle Vipers vs. Chatham Maroons (5)
It’s always interesting to see how the postseason’s fourth and fifth seeds stack up against one another in the opening round. The LaSalle Vipers and Chatham Maroons were separated by just three points in the regular season as the Vipers had 56 points and Marrons had 53.
LaSalle’s Stephane Crevier led the offence for the Vipers and scored 28 goals and 66 points. Second in team scoring was Abdul Abouzeeni who had 53 points as a defenceman. In goal, Sami Molu won 14 of his 32 appearances.
Chatham’s Brett Fisher has 20 goals and 56 points to lead the Maroons in scoring. Dallas Maurovic was second in team scoring with 51 points in just 39 games. Goaltender Kevin Linker led the Maroons in wins with 10.
