With the conclusion of the PJHL's regular season Tuesday night, the playoff schedule gets underway this week.
[1] Lakeshore Canadiens (31-8-1) vs [8] Petrolia Flyers (7-33-0)
The Flyers will have their hands full with first place Lakeshore, who scored 229 goals this season, the only team in the Bill Stobbs division to surpass 200 goals. The Flyers will be the underdogs in this one, finishing eighth in the standings, 49 points back of Lakeshore. The series opens Thursday night in Petrolia, a full schedule of the series can be found HERE.Inwood's Kole Keating lead the Flyers in regular season scoring with 34 points, Watford's Zach VanEyk was right behind with 31.
[2] Essex 73's (29-9-1) vs [7] Mooretown (Flags 17-20-3)
It wont be much easier for Mooretown, as they face Essex, who seems to have a top team year after year. The 73's allowed just 95 goals this season but the Flags have actually played them quite well this year. The Flags beat Essex back in October and have taken them to overtime twice. All five games between the two teams this season have been close. The two teams met in last year's playoffs, with Essex sweeping Mooretown in four games in the second round. This series gets underway Friday in Essex, game two will be in Mooretown Saturday. You can see the full first round schedule HERE.The Flags were lead offensively by Sombra's Greg Hay, who scored 20 goals and 38 points in 38 games.
[4] Blenheim Blades (24-14-2) vs [5] Dresden Kings (19-20-1)
Dresden (19-20-1) will take on Blenheim (24-14-2) in their first round match up. Despite being the four-five match up, 11 points separates the two teams. The season series was quite close with Blenheim taking three of the five match ups. The Kings and Blades are quite familiar with one another, having played three times in January. Most recently, Blenheim edged Dresden 3-2 in a shootout on January 26. This looks like it could be the most competitive first round series in the Bill Stobbs Division. The two teams met in the first round of the playoffs last year, where the Blades edged the Kings in six games. You can see the full first round schedule HERE.Dillon Liberty lead the Kings in scoring this season, with an impressive 45 goals and 77 points in 38 games, leading all Stobbs Division scorers. In his final season with the Kings, Liberty has 98 goals and 200 points in 148 games over four seasons.
The other first round match up has Amherstburg facing Wheatley. You can see the full first round schedule HERE.