Written By Alan Good
SPORTS - The PJHL Schmalz Cup Playoffs started February 19 with all teams coming to the table to play the best of seven to win—or eliminate—other teams proving they are the best in their division, and beyond.
Winding down the regular season, the Lucan Irish team played Port Stanley, Aylmer and Exeter, losing all three games. In the West Yeck Division, Lucan has played 42 games, winning 8 for a total of 18 points.
The first round of playoffs started with Lucan pitched against the Petrolia Flyers. Game one of the best four out of seven was February 20 in Petrolia. Lucan never scored and ending with a 7-0 loss. Game two, February 22 in Lucan—only 99 showed up to cheer—was little different as it ended in a 6-0 loss for the Irish team.
Back to Petrolia February 23, for game three and watched by 287 fans, Lucan looked to be going for the win as they score first in the game. But Petrolia tied it up in period one, made three goals in each of the other two to win 7-4. This means the Fighting Irish will have a fight on their hands as they need to win the next four games or face elimination.
The North Middlesex Stars lost to Mount Brydges February 15, and a game against Aylmer February 19 with a 10-3 win for the Stars. The Stars played 42 games, winning 23 for a total of 50 points landing in fifth place in the West Yeck Division as they headed to the playoffs.
The first playoff round for North Middlesex was against the Mount Brydges Bulldogs. In game one, played in Mount Brydges to a crowd of 268, the home team won, 7-3. Game two was also in Bulldog turf on February 23. The Stars came out swinging within 3 minutes of the first period to get on the board early, but the Bulldogs would even the score. North Middlesex scored the only goal in period two. Mount Brydges wouldn’t let the game remain unbalanced scoring three times in period three for a 4-2 win and a two-game lead.
