NOJHL playoff preview
The spring playoff runoff in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League gets underway this week. Four teams in each of the East and West divisions are in the chase for championship glory.
EAST DIVISION
Timmins Rock (45-8-5, 95 points) v. French River Rapids (9-46-3, 21 points)
This is a mismatch that has the makings of being a one-sided romp for Timmins, which finished 74 points ahead of French River in the standings. The Rock boasts league scoring champion Nic Pigeon, who put 107 points, and lineman Brady Harroun, who became the NOJHL’s first 50-goal scorer since the 2015-2016 season. Lucas Piekarczyk is another dangerous scorer who can light it up. If that isn’t enough, Timmins boasts the league’s top scoring defenseman in Kenyon Nyman, who potted 61 points, and goalie Patrick Boivin, who led the league with 27 wins.
As for French River, it iced the youngest team in the league this season and is led by veteran coach Paul Frustaglio, who is a master at game planning and getting maximum value out of his players. But that likely won’t be enough for French River to win a game in this series.
Prediction: Timmins in four straight.
Hearst Lumberjacks (43-13-2, 88 points) v. Powassan Voodoos (37-20-1, 55 points)
Hearst has a healthy offensive attack paced by 30-goal scorers Emile Pichette and Mason Svarich and a collection of 20-goal scorers including Riley Klugerman, Tyler Patterson and Zachary Demers. Adam Shillinglaw is an exceptional all-around defenseman and goalie Ethan Dinsdale had 22 wins despite not taking over as the clear-cut starter until well into the season.
The main standout for Powassan is defenseman Alex Little, who led the Voodoos in scoring. And Kannon Flageolle came through with 22 wins between the pipes.
The Lumberjacks play a physical game while the Voodoos are the least penalized team in the league. A big advantage for Hearst is that it averages more than three times as many fans per home game as the Voodoos do. Overall, Hearst is the better team, I do believe.
Prediction: Hearst in five.
WEST DIVISION
Sudbury Cubs (46-10-2, 94 points) v. Espanola Paper Kings (29-24-5, 63 points)
Playing in a much tougher division, Sudbury was edged out for first place overall by Timmins by just a single point. To be sure, the Cubs are without a major weakness. Pierson Sobush netted 44 goals to lead a Cubs attack that also features Cole Crowder, Oliver Smith, Billy Biedermann, Cameron Walker and Samuel Assinewai not to mention high scoring defender Kyloe Ellis. Between the pipes, Noah Beaulne and Noah Metiver each won 19 games.
Espanola played Sudbury tough during the regular season and the Paper Kings have a pair of game-breakers with Ontario Hockey League experience in Lucas Signoretti and Devin Mauro. Goalie Jake Marois had 16 wins during the regular season and will be counted on in a big way in this series.
Prediction: Sudbury in six.
Blind River Beavers (42-14-2, 89 points) v. Soo Thunderbirds (36-15-6, 78 points)
The Beavers set franchise records for wins and points during the regular season and are a well-coached team without a noticeable weakness. Top forwards include Caleb Minns, Mike Gallagher, Josh Thompson, Evan Fraccaro, Jacob Kovacs and Gavin Rocha while Ethan Pegg is the Beavers best defenseman in front of goalies Gavin Disano and Charlie Burns. Disano’s 24 wins were second most in the league.
Over to the Thunderbirds, they are the reigning champions and can’t be counted out. There is considerable firepower in the Soo lineup led by the likes of Dharan Cap, Jackson Truchan, Wyatt Marlow, Daniel Beaupre and Justin Mauro and Kaden Dundas is a dandy defenseman. The Thunderbirds also have a pretty good goalie duo with Landon Miller and Kolton Bourret.
Prediction: Blind River in six.