NOJHL playoff trail
A playoff march through March has more than a touch of spring fever to it along a path of parity in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Only the Cochrane Crunch has what can be called a commanding lead in any of the four semi-final series that are ongoing. Coach Ryan Leonard and his Crunch bunch are up two games to none on the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.
The other East Division set has the fifth-seed Timmins Rock half way to what would be an improbable upset of the top-ranked Powassan Voodoos. Solid as a Rock, Timmins — which finished a distant 50 points back of Powassan during the regular season — has a two games to one lead on the Voodoos.
Meanwhile, the fab four of the West Division is strumming to its own beat.
The Twin Soo border battle is even as it returns to action tonight in the Michigan Soo. Tied at a game apiece, the Soo Eagles and Soo Thunderbirds each have a pair of one-goal verdicts to their credit.
And what is going on at the Beaver dam in Milltown? No. 4 seed Blind River Beavers have taken a two games to one lead on no. 1 seed Rayside Balfour by virtue of an 8-1 cuffing of the Canadians in the third match of the series.
The next few days and into the weekend will, by way of process, provide for a clearer picture as to which teams are more in focus.
Right now, no team is closer than two wins to series triumph.
PHOTO: Blind River Beavers and Rayside-Balfour Canadians, in playoff action.