NEWS

CAMBRIDGE, ON – The 2015-16 Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Schmalz Cup Quarter Finals are set with eight teams beginning their quest to hoist Junior C’s most coveted trophy.

Winners from the eight Junior C Leagues across the province now enter a best of seven series against a first round opponent. The winner moves onto the semifinals and finally the finals. With 64 teams beginning the season, it’s no wonder why the Schmalz Cup is considered by many, the toughest trophy to win in the OHA.

The following is a breakdown of each of the four series and the eight teams who will participate in them.

SERIES 1                      
Port Hope Panthers (Empire B Junior C Hockey League)
vs.
Port Perry Mojacks (Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League)

After winning four straight games against the Napanee raiders in the Empire B Junior C Hockey League finals, the Port Hope Panthers are riding on cloud nine.

Strong offensive contributions got the Panthers through their first round against the Gananoque Islanders. It took four games in to win that series, but showcased the high octane offense the Panthers have and proved the team could score not only in the regular season, but the post season as well. The Panthers finished first in the regular season standings with a record of 34-5-1.

Leading the way in playoff points for the Panthers is forwards Dan Lagrios (9G, 10A) and Assistant Captain Dalton Lawrence (8G, 7A). Goaltender Aaron Young  has made all eight post season appearances this year, posting a 2.12 GAA and a 8-0 record.

Similar to their Quarter Final opponents, the Port Perry Mojacks depth has been something that many fans across the Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League have been talking about in the rinks.

The speed and scoring, combined with a strong defence, helped propel them through their first round against the North Kawartha Knights. A four game sweep of in that series brought notice to a team that finished the regular season in third place with 52 points behind both the Clarington Eagles and Uxbridge Bruins respectively.

Leading the way in playoff points for the Mojacks is Assistant Captain Kyle Schweda  (10G, 10A) along with team Captain, Defenseman Lucas Berkers (2G, 11A). Goaltender Brett Chandler has seen action in all 13 post season games this year, posting an impressive 1.86 GAA, three shutouts and a 12-1 record.

SERIES 2
Kincardine Bulldogs (Western Junior C Hockey League)
vs.
Alliston Hornets (Georgian Bay Mid Ontario Junior C Hockey League)
 

After winning a tough seven game series against the Walkerton Hawks to win the Western Junior C Hockey League championship, the Kincardine Bulldogs set their sights on a Schmalz Cup Quarter final victory.

The Bulldogs managed to win all three of their series against Western C teams while playing with a never say die attitude.  It took four games for them to tackle the Goderich Flyers in the first round, scoring 27 goals while allowing just 10. The second round saw them outscore the Hanover Barrons 32 to 22 on route to a hard played seven game series victory. The Bulldogs carried momentum through to the finals where they're series win was decided again in the seventh and deciding game eventually going in their favour.

Leading the way in playoff points for the high scoring Bulldogs has been forward and Assistant Captain Shawn Moore (11G, 15A) followed by another Alternate Captain Gerrit Satosek (10G, 11A). Goaltender Jacob Hutchings has seen 18 games, his post season has seen him produce a 2.90 GAA, two shutouts and a 12-6 record.

The Alliston Hornets find themselves in a familiar situation, having been in the Schmalz Cup Quarter Finals for a number of years in recent memory. The 2015-16 Georgian Bay Mid Ontario Hockey League champion Hornets defeated the Penetang Kings in four games to take the title for the second time in as many years.

Throughout the forty game regular season the Hornets never once believed that they couldn’t finish in first place. Their dominance in the regular season, finishing first with 73 points, provided a solid platform that saw them carry themselves with confidence in the post season.

Strong overall team play got the Hornets through their first round against the Schomberg Cougars in four games, outscoring them 26-9. In the second round against the Erin Shamrocks, the club managed to win in six games, outscoring their opponents 35-15.

Leading the way in playoff points for the Hornets is forward Devon Gillham (16G, 10A) followed closely by teammate Brady Martin (5G, 21A). Goaltenders Mike Masucci and Tyler Brindle have split games in the post season. Masucci has a 6-1 record, two shutouts and a 1.48 GAA. Brindle has a 6-1 record with a 2.61 GAA.

SERIES 3
Grimsby Peach Kings (Niagara District Junior C Hockey League)
vs.
Ayr Centennials (Midwestern Junior C Hockey League)

Perhaps one of the most consistent teams in all of Junior C hockey, the Grimsby Peach Kings are once again Niagara District Junior C Hockey League champions after defeating the Glanbrook Rangers in a close seven game series to claim the league title for the second time in as many years.

The Peach Kings managed to win all three series.  It took six games for them to tackle the Port Dover Sailors in the first round. The Peach Kings carried momentum through two more series. In the second round against the Dundas Blues, they played to a close seven game victory – narrowly outscoring the Blues 15-14, on route to a seven game series.

Leading the way in playoff points for the Peach Kings has been forward Curtis Conrad  (5G, 12A) followed closely by teammate Garnet McComber (10G, 6A). Goaltender Jeremy Currie has been solid for the Peach Kings, posting a 12-7 record with five shutouts and a 2.01 GAA.

The Ayr Centennials once again joining the battle in the Quarter Finals of the Schmalz Cup. The club has been working towards a Schmalz Cup Quarter Final birth all season long.

Proving dominant early on in the post season against the Burford Bulldogs, the Centennials carried momentum through two more series. Against the Bulldogs, the Centennials were able to notch 36 goals while allowing just 11 on route to a five game victory. Again in the second round against the Wellesley Applejacks, the Centennials dominated in four games. Scoring 18 goals while allowing just eight, the Centennials managed the sweep. In the final series against the New Hamburg Firebirds, they scored 17 goals while allowing 12.

Leading the way in playoff points for the Centennials has been forward Riley Clipper (11G, 8A) followed closely by teammate Cash Seraphim (7G, 12A). Goaltenders Jackson Swindells  and Mitch Figueirdo have each seen post season action. Swindells post season has seen him produce a 2.33 GAA and a 7-1 record, while Figueirdo has a 1.99 GAA and a 5-1 record.

SERIES 4
Essex 73’s (Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League)
vs.
Dorchester Dolphins (Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League)

The 2015 Schmalz Cup Champion Essex 73’s is another one of the eight remaining Junior C teams that find themselves in familiar waters. Having appeared in a number of Schmalz Cup Final games, the 73’s will look to add a eighth championship banner to their rafters that reads the year 2015-16.

The 73's managed to win all three of their Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League series.  It took four games for them to tackle the Alvinston Flyers in the first round, outscoring them 27-1 in the process. They carried momentum through two more series. In the second round against the Mooretown Flags, they outscored them 20-5, on route to another four game series sweep. It was the hard fought seven games for the 73’s that brought the club together against the always tough Amherstburg Admirals on route to another league championship.

Leading the way in playoff points for the 73's has been forward and Assistant Captain Tyler Scott (9G, 15A) followed closely by teammate Tyler Boughner (6G, 10A). Goaltenders Trevor Wheaton and Matt Badour have each seen post season action. Wheaton’s 9-2 record shows him with a 1.26 GAA  . Badour numbers throughout his four games stand at 2.08 GAA with a 3-1 record.

No one can deny the fact that the Dorchester Dolphins are a powerhouse in the post season. Winning the Southern Ontario Junior C Hockey League championship in recent hard fought seven game series against the Exeter Hawks, the Dolphins now have their eyes set on the Schmalz Cup.

Proving they’re the real deal, the Junior C Dolphins managed to win all three of their series.  It took four games for them to tackle the Lambeth Lancers in the first round and just four games against the Mount Brydges Bulldogs in the second round. The Hawks carried momentum through to the finals where they were outscored but ultimately won the best of seven series 4-3.          

Leading the way in playoff points for the high scoring Hawks has been forward Derek Todosichuk (9G, 19A) followed by teammate Ryan Tuffin(9G, 17A). Goaltender Riley Brown  has seen all 13 games, posting two shutouts and a 3.06 GAA.

The Schmalz Cup Quarter Finals gets underway March 22 when two of the four series hit the ice. For the 2015-16 OHA Schmalz Cup Playoff Bracket CLICK HERE.

Good luck to the remaining eight teams!