New NOJHL season looms
The junior hockey clock is ticking towards September 12. In less than three weeks, regular season play begins in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. The NOJHL is once again a 12 team league though there are some changes of note as to how they will line up.
Gone is the two division format of past years. Effective this season, the NOJHL will simply align as one with 12 teams. Each team play 25 games at home and another 25 on the road. With one division of 12, the top eight teams in the final standings will make the playoffs.
Ready to challenge the reigning NOJHL champion Sudbury Cubs will be the Soo Eagles, Soo Thunderbirds, Blind River Beavers, Elliot Lake Vikings, Espanola Paper Kings, Timmins Rock, French River Rapids, Hearst Lumberjacks, Iroquois Falls Storm, Powassan Voodoos and Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.
Meanwhile, the shootout has been eliminated and will see games that are tied after regulation go to a seven minute overtime period, skating three players aside. Should contests remain without a winner being decided after OT, the game will end in a tie and each squad will earn one point. Teams will still receive two points for wins in regulation and OT as well as one for extra time defeat.
Ahead of the September 12 start to the regular season are a number of exhibition games.
Included on the pre-season slate is a two day event — August 31 and September 1 — at John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie with the host Soo Thunderbirds joined by the cross-river Soo Eagles as well as the Elliot Lake Vikings and Espanola Paper Kings.
Hearst will be playing 4 exhibition games against the Kam River Fighting Walleye.
Aug. 31 and September 1. And 2 games in Hearst.
Looking forward to a competitive season hopefully the smaller centres can put up a better challenge than last year.