NOJHL playoffs are looming
The eight teams that will begin the playoffs in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have been accounted for. Still, there is much to play for in this, the final week of the ’25-26 regular season as there are three teams in the mix for second place.
Sudbury Cubs have clinched first place, the Soo Thunderbirds will finish fifth followed by the Espanola Paper Kings in sixth, the Soo Eagles in seventh and the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners in eighth.
Meanwhile, the Hearst Lumberjacks are currently the second seed with 71 points with three games to play on the regular season slate. Powassan Voodoos also have 71 points, but with only two games left, while the Timmins Rock has 70 points, also with two games remaining.
Blind River Beavers, who opted to go very young this season, will barely miss the playoffs in ninth place, followed by the Iroquois Falls Storm and French River Rapids.
Notably, the top six teams will all finish with varying records well above the .500 mark. And the seventh seed Soo Eagles are one game below the .500 mark with two matches still to play.
The NOJHL playoff season will start next week.