NOJHL race for 8th place
There are about five weeks to go on the regular slate in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. And as the stretch run in the regular season schedule has arrived there is playoff like pressure on three teams. Espanola Paper Kings, Iroquois Falls Storm and French River Rapids are all in a frantic race for the eighth and final playoff place in what looms as a furious finish into mid March.
This is just something else to love about junior hockey in the ponds of the north.
As of this writing, there are just four points separating the three teams. Espanola has 37 points, Iroquois Falls has 35 and French River has 33. The Paper Kings have played 41 games while the Rapids have played 40 and have three games in hand — and a better winning percentage to date — on the Storm.
What will ultimately decide the eighth seed?
If goal-tending is the factor, Espanola’s James Meredith is one of the hottest masked men in the league of late with victories over top teams including the first place Sudbury Cubs. Iroquois Falls has a basic rotation of Maverick Fletcher and Justin Sullivan while French River has gone through four puck stoppers thus far without a clear cut shining star.
Coaching? Espanola and French River both have reputable bench boss who are also team owners in the respective duo of Jason Rapcewicz and Paul Frustaglio. Meanwhile Iroquois Falls has a mid season replacement in veteran NOJHL’er Jamy Bernier as the latest head coach to work for owner Tom Nickolau.
Get ready for a playoff march into the middle of March.
Should prove very interesting Randy