Written By Alan Good
SPORTS - In the first round of playoff hockey within the PJHL Schmalz Cup which began February 19, the Lucan Irish were knocked out of the action as they lost all four games—7-0, 6-0, 7-4, and 7-1, in the best of seven.
For the North Middlesex Stars who played against the Mount Brydges Bulldogs, after loosing their first three games, 7-3, 4-2, and 4-0, facing elimination in the fourth game, the Stars won 3-2, followed by a 1-0 win in game five.
Game six was played out at home in Parkhill Wednesday evening, March 4, and the Stars faced elimination.
Although period one was tied at two a piece, and shots on the net pretty evenly matched, the game would end badly for the home team, at 9-4. They are now out of the playoffs.
With four teams from the West Yeck Division eliminated in the first round, four will go into round two. The PJHL website showed that the Exeter Hawks now face the Port Stanley Sailors.
Port Stanley, you may remember, has struggled at the bottom of that division for the past few years, however they rose steadily to third place this season.
This could be attributed to the added extra hour of ice every week plus hiring a skills and skating coach to focus on some of the fundamentals of the game.
Ron Fish, Director of Hockey operations, had stated at the end of 2024, that with their commitment to putting team goals first over any personal attributions, and strong goaltending, “we can compete with the top teams in the Yeck Division and our goal of finishing at the top of this division is within reach”.
Mount Brydges will face Petrolia in that case, all in an effort to reach the top rung and go on to the next round against another division.
