NEWS

The Toronto Patriots have had plenty to celebrate this season. They head into the OJHL playoffs as the top seed. (Photo by Shawn Muir / OJHL Images)

By Ron Valentine

What do we know for sure heading for next week’s Ontario Junior Hockey playoffs?

The Toronto Patriots are 2017-2018 OJHL champions of the regular season and the No. 1 seed in the South/West Conference.

Georgetown will be the second seed in the conference, Toronto Junior Canadiens will be No. 5, Buffalo will finish sixth and Toronto’s St. Michael's Buzzers will end in spot seven. The Mississauga Chargers were eliminated from playoff contention with the Orangeville Flyers win in Milton.

The regular season ends Saturday and all is still to be decided in the North/East Conference. 

 

Here are the current conference seedings: 

 

NORTH/EAST

 

1. AURORA TIGERS (75 points) - Three games in three days this week for the number one team in the conference. The club won the latest 'Battle of Yonge Street' 4-1 at home on Friday evening against Newmarket. A large night for Brock Welsh, in on all the goals, scoring twice and adding two assists. Anthony Romano and Jake Bricknell (No. 33) had the others. Matthew Ferrari chipped in with two assists and Jack Irvine was busy making 31 saves. Right back at it at home the next night against Kingston and it was a one-goal game in favour of the Vees, 5-4. Zach Wilkie scored two and added an assist and Bricknell had three assists to bring his season point total to 94. Three of the four goals came on the power play. Sunday afternoon in Whitby turned out to be a close contest with the Tigers coming out on the right end of the 2-1 final score. Welsh completed a six-point week with a goal and Bricknell had the winner just over a minute into the second period. The captain's quest for 100 points continues. The club has two games remaining, both at home, to Pickering and Lindsay. Jake, the former OHLer from Port Perry, needs five points to reach that number. One more point will clinch first overall in the conference for the Tigers. 

 

2. WELLINGTON DUKES (70 points) - Mitchell Martan opened up the scoring with a late second period marker and netted the winner in the third, an even two dozen for the season now, as they got past Pickering 3-2. Andrew Rinaldi got his 23rd. in this one and Ben Evans had two assists. Starting a run of their final four regular season games on the road they were in Stouffville Saturday night and they doubled the Spirit 6-3 led by a brace of goals from Teddy McGeen, his 28th. and 29th. It was only 4-3 late, against a 12-man Spirit lineup. Rinaldi had a goal and two helpers. With the win, the Dukes reached the 70-point mark with three games remaining. They need three wins and zero points from Aurora to finish first overall in the conference. In club news, rookie blueliner Zach Uens will join Merrimack for the 2020-21 NCAA D1 season.

 

3. NEWMARKET HURRICANES (68 points) - Two wins and a loss this week and they started out with back to back games against the Markham Royals. In their rescheduled road contest, they eked out a 6-5 overtime win in a crazy affair that saw them up 5-0 just past the midway mark of the first period on goals from Owen Ramsay (No. 27), Alex Trotman, Ryan Hunt, Alex Ierullo (No. 26) and Cole Thiessen but at the end of the second it was a 5-5 tie and they needed an overtime score from Sheldon Nolan to give them the victory, No. 30 on the season. Jackson Savery had goals number 10 and 11 and Cole Howran his ninth in their 3-0 shutout of the Royals in the rematch in Newmarket. Fraser Kirk stopped 20 for clean sheet No. 4. Local derby night on Friday in Aurora and the Tigers took this one 4-1 with Eric Eremita getting the goal for the Hurricanes while shorthanded. Three games remain. 

 

4. KINGSTON VOYAGEURS (64 points) - The Vees fought gamely back from a 3-0 deficit after one period on goals from Josh Leblanc and Riley Richards but Cobourg would add two more in the third for their 5-2 win. It was goal number 25 and point number 60 for the veteran forward from Odessa ON. Trips to Aurora on Saturday and to Buffalo on Sunday rounded out the busy week. They got past the Tigers 5-4 with Brandon Nadeau getting the winner with just over three minutes left in the game. Leblanc had two goals and three points. The Jr. Sabres provided a stiff test in their own arena and the contest went to a second overtime session with Austin Grzenia scoring just seven seconds in. Colin Van Den Hurk and Adam Kim gave the Vees a 2-1 lead at the end of one. Trevor Withers made 32 saves for the win. With three games left on the schedule the club looks set to go into the playoffs as fourth seed and home ice advantage in the playoffs' first round.

 

5. COBOURG COUGARS (60 points) - It was 'Pink in the Rink' night at home on Monday as they defeated Trenton in dramatic fashion, their fourth wins in as many games against the Golden Hawks this season. Jacob Ball's second of the contest with just 18 seconds left in the third gave them the 5-4 victory. The former North Bay Battalion OHLer moved into doubles figures in goals this season. Another Jacob, this time Black, also had two goals. The Fergus native played last season for the GOJHL's Sutherland Cup winner, the Elmira Sugar Kings. Matthew Bumstead recorded the other goal. Another big win Thursday night in Kingston with Jamie Engelbert getting their third goal in the first period for what would prove to be the game winner. Steady Elliot Gerth stopped 34 shots and Connor MacEachern had his club-leading 18th goal for the 5-2 final. Win No. 5 in a row came on Friday in Lindsay with Riley McCutcheon and Brodie McDougall scoring in the first 36 seconds of the game. Black had the game winner for the 3-2 final. GM Adam Yahn noted that early in the season few people thought this team could be where they are now. Black, he points out, has had 35 points playing a secondary but important role and Ball seems to have the knack for scoring the big goal. The GM said that a lot of the credit for the success the team has had as the season has progressed has to go to veteran head coach Jerome Dupont, who joined the team at mid-season. The former NHLer’s detailed and thorough approach has got the team moving in the right direction with just two games left before what could be a very interesting post-season, Yahn said. 

 

6. MARKHAM ROYALS (56 points) - Three losses this week, making it five in a row for the club. In a rescheduled home event versus the Hurricanes they got off to an awful start being down 5-0 in the first but they fought back and the game was even at fives at the end of two. Newmarket would get the OT winner in the 6-5 final.  Braedyn Aubin had two power play markers. That’s 27 goals on the season now for the former Dryden Ice Dogs' sharpshooter. Head Coach Mike Galati was happy to get a point in the circumstances since they were down so far early on. He pulled goalie Nate McDonald after Newmarket's fourth goal but noted he shut out the 'Canes in the second and third. He will continue to stress team defense as they head into the playoffs and he is not too concerned who will provide the opposition. A visit to Newmarket would yield no points as they were shutout 3-0. Back home Friday night, they faced a desperate Flyers' club and came out on the wrong end of the 5-3 scoreline after building up a 3-1 lead, on goals from Bain Cunningham, Lucas Condotta, his 34th goal and 80th point, and Kosta Likourezos (a former Flyer). Two left for the Royals – a trip to Lindsay and a visit from Cobourg.

 

7. PICKERING PANTHERS (54 points) - A nip and tuck affair in Wellington but they lost the game 3-2 with Jacob Didanieli and call-up Dylan Robinson scoring. Sunday afternoon at the Herb Carnegie arena in North York, they pulled off an upset win, outscoring the Rangers 3-2. Two games left on the agenda with trips to Aurora and Mississauga. NHL prospect Dustyn McFaul's power play goal late in the first got them off on the right foot. Anthony Azzano put them up again in the second only to see the home side come right back before Brock Traill tallied the winner late in the period. Ethan Langevin saved 30 shots to record the victory, his lucky 13th. Traill now has 23 goals overall, 12 for the Panthers since coming to the team from Lindsay. Head Coach David Demarinis was very happy with the win in North York, especially as he was short several players, most of whom he feels will be able to get back into action in time for the post-season. The GM/coach set a goal of 24 wins for the season – they have 25 with two games to go.  They won just nine times last season. The combination of maturing young players like McFaul and Jacob Roach and veteran leaders, including Traill, Josh Argier, Adam Wheaton and Andrew Hughes, and top-quality goaltending has helped to get the Panthers into a good spot heading into the post-season. Just two left for the club – GTA road trips to Aurora and Mississauga,

 

8. TRENTON GOLDEN HAWKS (50 points) - A narrow loss and a blowout this week for the Golden Hawks. It looked like there would be extra time in Cobourg but the Cougars spoiled things with a goal with just 18 seconds left in the third for the 5-4 win. It was a closely fought contest with Matt Nastasiuk, son of ex-CFLer Paul, Chris Karabassis, Max Ewart, with his 23rd, and Gage Stephney scoring their goals. A tough one at the Westwood in Rexdale with a 10-2 mauling from the on-fire Toronto Patriots. Caleb Boman, on the power play, and Steven Elliott with the goals. Though pairings have not yet been decided in the conference it's looking like the 'Hawks may have to be content with playoff spot No. 8. Next week, they have three games to wrap up the regular season, hosting Stouffville in a rescheduled tilt and Wellington and heading west to Newmarket.

 

9. WHITBY FURY (39 points) - Captain Matthew Latin had their goal as they fell 4-1 in Milton. Sunday afternoon the Tigers came to town and the Fury gave them a game losing out by a singleton, 2-1. Liam Robertson had their goal in the middle of the first frame, his 16th of the season and Alex Horawski made 26 stops. They finish up the season with Kingston and Wellington at home and a ride to Orangeville. They have been unable to recover from a poor start despite going on an eight-game winning streak at home in November and December.

 

10. LINDSAY MUSKIES (19 points) - The Muskies continued their improved play in a closely fought contest at home to Cobourg and despite a 43-save performance from Blake Curran they ended up losing 3-2. Down 2-0 after one period they were able to fight back with goals from Braydon Leeking and Noah Dollo with is club-leading number 21. Head Coach Dan West agreed that it has been a frustrating season for his young club who had to battle injury problems in October and November. While the coach is not using it as an excuse, it was difficult to get rolling after that, he says. However, the guys have for the most part hung in there often against veteran competition. Bright spots have been the play of Dollo, a 19-year old in his second season with the club, and the performance in net by Blake Curran, the 18-year old goalie who was put into the spotlight with the trading of Tyler Richardson to Wellington. Blake has been often spectacular, the coach notes, playing behind a defense without a lot of experience at this level. The group has stuck together, he notes, without a lot to play for and he admits it would be nice not to be in the basement of the division at the end of the season. They would climb out of sixth in the North Sunday as they set back fellow strugglers Stouffville 4-2. Curran made 34 saves in this one but the Muskies got 50 shots on the Spirit net. Owen Barnett and Cameron Robinson got goals in the second stanza while Erich Roeder scored twice in the third, the last one into the empty visitors' net.

 

11. STOUFFVILLE SPIRIT (18 points) - A forgettable season continued apace for the short-staffed Spirit with a 3-0 loss at home to Georgetown. The highlight was the 44-save performance of former keeper Andrew Albano against his former team from Georgetown. Another top team Saturday night providing the opposition and the Dukes doubled them 6-3. It was only 4-3 late. Connor McBroom, off the injured list, had two goals, the former Raider's third and fourth for the Spirit, and Connor May, the ex-Newmarket Hurricane and nephew of former NHLer Brad May, had his second for the club. Sunday afternoon, a trip to Lindsay saw them go down 4-2 with goals from Jacob Breckles and May and a 46-save game from David Bowen, son of Leaf broadcaster Joe Bowen. Games 53 and 54 will be at home to Newmarket and in Trenton.

 

SOUTH/WEST

 

1. TORONTO PATRIOTS (83 points) - Just as they did last week in Georgetown the Patriots got down 3-0 early but this time did not begin their comeback until late in the third on their way to another 3-3 tie at the Alcott against the Raiders. It took a shorthanded marker from Graeme MacLean to get them going but veteran Adam Petric scored a minute later and with just over two minutes left in the third Andrew Petrucci netted number 46 for the draw. Pats GM Mark Joslin said once again it was a great comeback by his team, in a game that had everything including lots of atmosphere. When asked about whether this contest and the one last week could be previews of the conference final he was quick to point out that there is a lot of hockey yet to be played. In this game, he noted they had 50 shots on the Georgetown goalie and perhaps deserved the two points in this one while the same could be said for the Raiders in last week's duel.  Friday night in Trenton they exploded for ten against the 'Hawks two. A brace of goals and assists for Andrew Petrucci gave him 95 points on the season. Max Routledge had his biggest game since joining the team with two goals and four points and Dante Spagnuolo had a goal and four points. Win No. 38 for the Patriots, who remain eighth-ranked in the nation this week. Saturday night at the Westwood, the Oakville Blades were in and it went well with a 5-2 win with Routledge getting two more goals and Petrucci had No. 49 and now is at 96 points for the campaign. His chance for 50 will come Monday as they host the Chargers and the Junior Sabres in the final week of the season. With the victory, the Patriots are the conference champions and reached the 83-point mark. They have won the OJHL regular season title and with it the inaugural Brant Snow Memorial Trophy and home ice through the playoffs. In team news, Routledge announced that he would be joining teammate Kyler Matthews at NCAA D3 State University of New York at Canton next season and Lee Lapid will be attending D1 Canisius College in Buffalo.

 

2. GEORGETOWN RAIDERS (75 points) - In Raiders news this week, forward Andrew Court has committed to Hamilton College, an NCAA D3 school in Clinton NY, where he will join brother Richard. It was deja vu Wednesday night at the Alcott as they met the Patriots for the second time in two weeks with the same outcome- a 3-3 draw. Once again, they built up a 3-0 lead on two goals from Zac Elson and one from Matt McJannet – with Jordan Crocker assisting on all three – but the Patriots would mount a comeback to take a single point. Troy Timpano made 47 saves over the 70 minutes. In Stouffville they outshot the Spirit 46-18 with Nathan Torchia getting the shutout in the 3-0 win against his old team – that was only able to field a dozen skaters. Court, Justin Paul and Jordan Crocker did the scoring. The Raiders wrap up the season with one visit to Oakville and two to Burlington.

 

3.  NORTH YORK RANGERS (76 points) - Just one game this week for the second place team in the South as Sunday they entertained Pickering putting their six-game winning streak on the line. No. 7 was not to be, however as they were edged 3-2. Josh Dame had a goal in the first period and Noah Jordan tied the game at twos in the second period. It was the last regular season game at the 'Herb' as they finish the season with trips to Buffalo and Milton. Still touch and go with Oakville for third seed.  

 

4. OAKVILLE BLADES (73 points) - A trip to Toronto to play the Patriots on Saturday night was their only action this week and Eric Uba, in the first, Matt Hayami, in the second and Mack Graham in the final frame had goals but they fell 5-3 to the OJHL regular season champions. The club has three left, all at home at Sixteen Mile, on the docket with a game against Georgetown followed by the Toronto Junior Canadiens and Burlington. Head Coach Mike Tarantino notes that his club has to come up a bit in some areas of their game but knows his team is right in the mix and able to challenge other top teams. The goal, he says, is to make sure everyone is healthy and ready for the grind of the playoffs. 

 

5. TORONTO JUNIOR CANADIENS (68 points) - Saturday night in Mississauga they needed a double overtime goal from David Sherman to beat the Chargers 2-1. It was the big forward's 19th of the season. Jake Joffe scored his 31st in the middle of the third to send the contest into the extra time. Sunday, a home game against the Buzzers was a back-and-forth contest with a third period goal from Daniil Vertiy, the only one in that frame, that sent the game into extra time tied at five apiece where Sherman (who also had two assists in the game) connected for No. 20 to give the club it's 18th home win of the season. Joffe, Chad Lopez, Matthew Falls and Chase Spencer did the rest of their scoring. In the last week of the regular season, they have tough road games in Cobourg and Oakville.

 

6. BUFFALO JUNIOR SABRES (57 points) - No joy at historic St. Michael's in Toronto for the visitors from Western New York as they were admonished 9-1 by the Buzzers. Scott Ramaekers had the goal. Home on Sunday afternoon with a visit from Kingston saw a much better performance and they gained a point in the 3-2 double overtime defeat. Eamon Bollinger and Adam Tretowicz with his 27th goal did the scoring and Brian George rebounded with a 37-save performance. The Sabres end the regular campaign with a home game against the Rangers and a trip to Toronto to play the Patriots. The club has to improve on its recent road record where they have lost eight of their last 10.

 

7. ST. MICHAEL'S BUZZERS (51 points) - In their last regular season game at home, they pounced on the Sabres scoring four in each of the first two periods en route to a convincing 9-1 victory. Just over three minutes in and they were already enjoying a 3-0 advantage. The two goals by Dylan Jackson gave him 32 for the season. Colton Trumbla had a pair and Nick Zabaneh scored a goal and had a four-point night. Their last goal was scored shorthanded by Ben Lawrick. Game 53 Sunday evening saw them skating on the 'Pond' and the goals came thick and fast with ten evenly distributed over the sixty minutes with Trumbla finding the net twice more and adding an assist and Jonah Alexander getting a goal and two assists giving him ten points in his last five games. Dylan Jackson was again on target scoring their opening marker on the powerplay. They finish up with a game in Burlington who they can eliminate from playoff contention with a regulation win.

 

8. ORANGEVILLE FLYERS (49 points) - A massive win over the Royals in Markham Friday by a 5-3 count put them in very good shape for postseason play. Nathan Gooch, Vince Bonaiuto, Eic Theander, Rocco Andreacchi and Michael Hill (shorthanded) did the damage. Bonaiuto had a three-point night and Daniel Berno added a pair of assists. Going into their game Saturday, against Milton, Head Coach Justin Teakle said he was very pleased to come out of Markham with two points. They played a solid two-way game, he said, and got top-end goaltending from Eric Doner. They are committed to disciplined hockey as they eye the playoffs, he said. Still short a couple of veterans, in Zack Lyons and Zac Taylor, the other guys have taken up the slack to get them where they are. They got the one point they were looking for to eliminate the Chargers from postseason contention with an emphatic 7-0 win. Theander had the hat trick, Bonaiuto had a goal and two assists. Kevin Shirmaly, Daniel Berno and Braeden Ferguson, called up from the Brampton Bombers of the GOJHL, completed the scoring. Doner made 17 saves. One game left now and they can only be passed now by the Cougars if that club wins its remaining four games.

 

9. BURLINGTON COUGARS (42 points) - Home ice woes continued to haunt the Cougars as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Chargers Friday night. It was a playoff type contest with two teams who could well be on the outside looking in! Mitchell Morrison had he goal that tied the game in the first. Still four left for them, three at home but they have to be all won. It will be tough as the Buzzers, the Raiders twice and the Blades will be at the other end of the rink. The club has been victorious just seven times at home this season, a major factor in their standing.

 

10. MISSISSAUGA CHARGERS (42 points) - A gritty performance in Burlington Friday night got them the 2-1 win over the Cougars and kept their playoff hopes alive. Matthew Brassard got them ahead early and captain Brandon Yeamans got his fifth goal in his last six games to get them the two points. Saturday night in Port Credit, the Junior Canadiens provided the opposition and again it was a 2-1 score, this time in overtime but this time for the other side. Jake Gravelle got them off to a 1-0 lead in the first period. Two games left for the team and no playoffs this year.

 

11. MILTON ICEHAWKS (11 points) - The IceHawks got a long-awaited win No. 4 in a 4-1 home ice victory over the Whitby Fury. Outstanding in net was Noah Battaglia who made 40 saves. Zach Sirota netted his 11th and 12th goals of the season and Zac McInall, who has scored four times in his last three games, and Alex Mercier, with his first of the season, had singles. A visit to Orangeville for game No. 52 on the season was on the schedule for Saturday night ended in a 7-0 loss. The IceHawks end the campaign with a trip to Newmarket and a home game against North York to finish up.

Family Day Monday will feature seven games and will doubtless answer a few more questions leading up to what should be very exciting playoffs.