Niagara District Junior C Hockey League Playoff Preview Date: Feb 02, 2013

FEBRUARY 2 – Hello Hockey Fans and welcome to the first round of the Niagara District C Hockey League (NDJHL) Playoff Preview.

With four series set to take place over the next two weeks you can be sure that you’ll be able to get your fill of the NDJHL. The standings look different than last year but the teams remain the same. Please note that the league’s top two ranked hockey clubs in the two divisions (East and West) have been granted a bye into the second round of the post season. Those teams are from the Eastern Conference the Glanbrook Rangers and the and from the Western Conference the and the .

Without any further delay, let’s get this thing started off.

EASTERN CONFERENCE SERIES A (3) DUNNVILLE MUDCATS vs. (6) ST. GEORGE DUKES SEASON SERIES: Dunnville won season series 4-2 SEASON RECORDS: Dunnville (21-15-2=44 points), St. George (5-32-1=11 points)

The Dunnville Mudcats and the St. George Dukes hit the ice in what is expected to be a good hard hitting round between two teams who have plenty to prove to the rest of the league.

With 44 points on their season and a solid record of 21-15-2 the Dunnville Mudcats managed to make their presence felt this season amongst other clubs in their league. The St. George Dukes on the other hand found their first season in the NDJHL to be a bit of a struggle. With a 5-32-1 record and just 11 points, the Dukes found that they could compete and moving forward they will continue to build for the future.

This season the Mudcats leading scorer and team Captain Landon Minor (21 goals, 25 assists) was nothing short of spectacular for his club this season. Count on Landon to lead his team as well in this series. On the back end, defenseman Mack Steele (9 goals, 16 assists) will be a key component of this series for the Mudcats and on the power play, count on him to be the first man breaking out of his teams end with the puck. In net, goaltender Josh Rosettani will certainly do what he can to keep the puck out of the net.

The Dukes coaching staff will almost certainly play their top scorer this season in Nick Fedak (10 goals, 13 assists) as much as they possibly can in this series. Fedak will be counted on to produce some timely points in this series and will need to play his best hockey to date if the Dukes are going to pull off a big upset. Defenseman Kevin Fitzpatrick (3 goals, 10 assists) most likely will see plenty of ice time as he is charged with the job of shutting down the oppositions top forwards. In goal, count on the tandem of Tyler Lewis and Tanner Armstrong to split starts as this series goes on.

Currently, the Mudcats have a 1-0 series lead after winning their game last night by a final score of 4- 2.

EASTERN CONFERENCE SERIES B (4) CHIPPAWA RIVER HAWKS vs. (5) SEASON SERIES: Chippawa won season series 4-2 SEASON RECORD: Chippawa (19-15-4 = 42 points), Dundas (18-16-4 = 40 points)

Two Eastern Conference rivals hit the ice for their first round of the post season tonight when the fourth ranked Chippawa River Hawks face off against the fifth ranked Dundas Blues.

With just two points separating these two clubs you just know that this series is bound to be a great one to watch. The River Hawks and their 19-15-4 record stand with 42 points and the confidence of knowing that they defeated the Blues four of six meetings this past regular season. The Blues and their 18-16-4 record with 40 points were not far behind their first round opponent in terms of points and you can rest assure that they’ve got a winning mindset heading into this series.

The River Hawks had some solid point production from their top two forwards in Brayden Stortz (10 goals, 32 assists) and Alex Cipriano (12 goals, 19 assists). You can bet that these two forwards are going to see a tone of ice this series and will be covered by the opposition most times they hit the ice. On the blue line, Daniel Heidebrecht (5 goals, 12 assists) will certainly be a stand out figure for his club this post season. Count on Colin Dunne to get the start in between the pipes for the River Hawks this series.

The Blues will be looking for a big series from their leading scorer this season in Brett Dell (25 goals, 30 assists). Dell was a key piece the success of the Blues in their regular season. You can count on secondary scoring to come from Mitch Reid (21 goals, 18 assists) as this series moves on. On the back end, defenseman Nick McMullen (3 goals, 10 assists) will need to play his best hockey to date if the Blues are going to win this series to extend their season. Goaltender Mark Sinclair will certainly get the star in this series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE SERIES A (3) vs. (6) WOODSTOCK NAVY VETS SEASON SERIES: Paris won season series 5-1 SEASON RECORD: Paris (18-16-4 = 40 points), Woodstock (6-32-0 = 12 points)

The Paris Mounties and the Woodstock Navy Vets square off in this battle that is sure to bring out fans from both teams local areas.

The Mounties have worked very hard this season and have gone from a team in the previous few seasons who were at the bottom of the standings to a club with a solid 18-16-4 record with 40 points. The Navy Vets have seen their fair share of struggles this season and with a 6-32-0 record and just 12 points, the Vets found themselves in uphill battles all season. Count on the Navy Vets to do what they can in this series to erase the past in attempts to upset and move forward in their season.

On the Mounties bench, their leading scorer and Assistant Captain Ian Fowler (22 goals, 31 assists) had a hot stick all season long and will surly continue to be dominant against the opposition this post season. Secondary scoring from Brandon Verasamy (24 goals, 18 assists) is going to be needed in the Mounties post season run. On the back end, look for Matthew Small (8 goals, 12 assists) and linemate Kamden Hughes (5 goals, 12 assists) to provide some defense and offense when given the chance. Goaltenders Andrew Masters and Travis Elvin will certainly do what they can to keep the puck out of their clubs net.

On the Navy Vets side of the ice, their leading scorer this season in Captain Mackenzie Langford (7 goals, 15 assists) will need to lead his team both on and off the ice. Defenseman Ian Bartlett (5 goals, 6 assists) is going to need to play his best hockey to date if the Navy Vets are going to pull off this upset series. In the crease, goaltenders Michael Roefs and Kyle Sephton will surely be tested early on. Count on Roefs to get the start in this series.

Currently the Mounties lead this series, they won game one last night by a final score of 5-1.

WESTERN CONFERENCE SERIES B (4) SIMCOE STORM vs. (5) SEASON SERIES: Season series tied 3-3 SEASON RECORDS: Simcoe (15-20-3 = 33 points), Aylmer (12-22-4 = 28 points)

Just five points separated the fourth ranked Simcoe Storm and the fifth ranked Aylmer Spitfires this season, making this final series of the NDJHL one you won’t want to miss!

With a 15-20-3 record and 33 points the Storm head into this series as the favourite. The Spitfires on the other hand posted a 12-22-4 record and 28 points. Both of these two teams played to a 3-3 season series tie, making this one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the leagues post season.

The Storm will look towards Clayton Chalmers (24 goals, 21 assists) their regular season leading scorer to produce for his team in this series. Secondary scoring will certainly come from forward Braden Roberts (16 goals, 17 assists). On the back end you can bet that defenseman Merrit Crumback (15 goals, 19 assists) will do what he can to help his club win while his defensive partner in Nathan Kohler (5 goals, 11 assists) will also be a key factor in this series. Count on goaltender Alex Gegany to get the start in this series.

On the Spitfires bench, their coaching staff will look towards regular season leading scorers Brad Payne (13 goals, 17 assists) and Assistant Captain Todd Laurindo (15 goals, 14 assists) to do what they can in this round. On the back end, defenseman and another one of the clubs Assistant Captains Mitch Roloson (3 goals, 13 assists) will be counted on to stop the oppositions top players. In goal, Lucas Easterbrook will certainly get the start while backup Greg Acheson will most likely get a chance to start in goal.

With all four series underway and beginning tonight, you’ll want to take note of your favourite clubs to watch before the puck drops! To the twelve teams in the NDJHL, we wish you good luck, play hard and play fare on your quest to hoist the OHA Schmalz Cup. May the best team win!