GOJHL Conference semifinals matchups set after weekend play
Photo: Tanya Taylor, Censational Photography
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) playoff games over the weekend of March 6-8 have decided the second round matchups of the league’s Conference Semifinals.
GOLDEN HORSESHOE CONFERENCE
(1) Caledonia Corvairs vs. Hamilton Kilty B’s (4)
The Golden Horseshoe Conference’s top seed Caledonia Corvairs are set to face the Hamilton Kilty B’s in the conference semifinals. Caledonia is coming off of a 4-0 sweep over the Buffalo Regals. Hamilton also swept its first round opponent, the Thorold Blackhawks.
The Corvairs scored a combined 21 goals in four games and have been led offensively by Danyk Drouin, who has nine playoff points thus far. Aidan Hughes played three of the Corvairs’ four games and went 3-0 with a 1.00 G.A.A and .939 save percentage. Hamilton’s Nick Giamou leads the Kilty B’s in points with nine, while goaltender Justin Easter is a perfect 4-0 with a .967 save percentage and 1.25 G.A.A.
Game 1 of the Golden Horseshoe semifinals series March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Caledonia at Haldimand Center.
(2) Niagara Falls Canucks vs. St. Catharines Falcons (3)
The second semifinals series in the Golden Horseshoe Conference features the Niagara Falls Canucks and St. Catharines Falcons. The Niagara-area teams will play Game 1 of their series on Fri., March 13 in Niagara Falls at Gale Centre.
In the opening round, the Canucks defeated the Fort Erie Meteors 4-1 in five games. St. Catharines swept its series against Pelham, 4-0. Leading the charge offensively for the Canucks in Andrew Bruno who has three goals and 10 points in five games. In net, Canucks netminder Anthony Tremonte was 4-1 in the opening round with a 1.39 G.A.A and .955 save percentage. The Falcons are led by Cail Cirillo and Max Lightfoot who each have five points in four playoff games. Blair Coffin is 3-0, a 1.33 G.A.A. and a .927 save percentage for the Falcons.
MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Elmira Sugar Kings vs. Stratford Warriors (4)
The first of the Midwestern Conference semifinals matchups features the Elmira Sugar Kings and Stratford Warriors. The Sugar Kings, who led the Midwest standings in the regular season, swept the Brantford Bandits in round one. Stratford wrapped up its series against Listowel Friday night to win the series 4-1.
Elmira has been led offensively this postseason by Jeremy Goodwin who has 10 points. In net, Elmira’s Greg Brassard is 3-0 with a .938 save percentage and 1.28 G.A.A. Stratford’s Evan Dowd leads the team with nine points and Rhett Kimmel is 4-0 with a 1.60 G.A.A. and .921 save percentage.
Game 1 of the series goes March 11 with Elmira hosting the first game. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
(2) Kitchener Dutchmen vs. Cambridge Redhawks (3)
The second of the Midwest’s semifinals series’ features the conference’s 2 and 3 seeds: the Kitchener Dutchmen and Cambridge Redhawks. Kitchener defeated the Brampton Bombers in round one of the postseason in five games, 4-1. It took the Redhawks six games to defeat the defending OHA Sutherland Cup champs, the Waterloo Siskins.
Just like the regular season, Sean Kawalec has continued to produce offence for the Dutchmen as he leads the team with 11 points in five games. Lucas Patton appeared in four games for the Dutchmen and has gone 3-1 with a 2.01 G.A.A. and .905 save percentage. Three points for Jakc McTiernan in Game 6 of round one gave him nine points in the opening series which leads all Redhawks players. In goal, Cambridge’s Mike Leach has a 1.80 G.A.A., .935 save percentage and a 4-2 record.
A series schedule has yet to be announced.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) London Nationals vs. LaSalle Vipers (4)
For the second consecutive postseason the London Nationals and LaSalle Vipers will meeting in the Western Conference semifinals. Last season’s result was a 4-1 series win for London. London went four games with Sarnia in the opening round of the playoffs while LaSalle defeated Chatham in Game 7 in round one.
Six points for London’s Michael Boushy in round one has him leading the Nationals in points. In goal, Brock Baier is 4-0 and has posted a G.A.A of 1.60 and .942 in four games. Jack Bowler and his 11 points leads all Vipers players. Goaltender Matthew Sbrocca played five of LaSalle’s seven games and posted a 2.90 G.A.A., .926 save percentage and 3-2 record.
Game 1 of the series will be played March 11 in London.
(2) Leamington Flyers vs. St. Marys Lincolns (3)
The Leamington Flyers and St. Marys Lincolns will meet in the Western Conference semifinals. The series begins March 12 at Leamington Kinsmen Arena. Leamington swept its first round opponent, the Komoka Kings in round one while St. Marys defeated Strathroy in five games, 4-1.
Thomas Michaud leads the offense for the Flyers with seven points in the team’s four games. Netminder Ryan Polidori went 3-0 in the opening round and boasts a .67 G.A.A. and .968 save percentage. St. Marys’ Brock Trichilo also leads the Lincolns with seven points. And in net, Kyle Curtin went 4-1 with a 1.60 G.A.A. and .942 save percentage.
