FEBRUARY 21 – Welcome to the final week of regular season Hockey Fans. This 48th edition of the GOJHL Preview promises to be the best one yet! With nine games on tap for this week you can be sure that these 17 teams hitting the ice over the next three days are going to be playing hard. Standings are everything in the post season and many clubs are making a final push before the first round of the playoffs.

There were three games that caught the attention of the league this weekend. Some big upsets managed to change the face of the standings in the three conference’s heading into tonight.

The first big game that took place this past weekend was in St. Marys on Friday night. The Western Conference first place Sarnia Legionnaires were unable to shut the door on the home team, Lincolns. With the final score standing at 4-3 for the boys from St. Marys, the Lincolns now find themselves in a tie for third place in their conference with the London Nationals. The Nationals have one game at hand over the Lincolns so the race for third place is on. Heading into this week the Legionnaires who have clinched first place in the conference with 66 points play just a single game. In second place this week are the Leamington Flyers with 58 points and three games remaining in their schedule. Rounding out the top three are the Nationals and the Lincolns with 55 points each.

On Sunday night in the Golden Horseshoe Conference the first ranked St. Catharines Falcons were unable to hold their own on the road against the third ranked Port Colborne Pirates. With the final score showing a 4-2 win for the Pirates, the third ranked team was able to remain tied with the Thorold Blackhawks for third place in the conference. Heading into this week, the St. Catharines Falcons and their 80 points remain tops in the Conference. The Niagara Falls Canucks are hot on the Falcons heels with 78 points. Both the Falcons and the Canucks have just two games remaining. Tied for third place with 62 points each are the Blackhawks and the Pirates, the Pirates have a game at hand.

Finally on Saturday night in the Midwestern Conference, the Elmira Sugar Kings were able to fend off the visiting Guelph Hurricanes. The final score was 5-4 in favour of the Sugar Kings, who with the win, leapfrogged over the Stratford Cullitons for second place in the conference. This week the Brantford Golden Eagles remain at the top of not only the Midwestern Conference, but the entire GOJHL as well, with 81 points. The Sugar Kings and their 79 points are second followed closely by the Stratford Cullitons in third with 77 points and a game at hand over the Sugar Kings.

Now that your all caught up to speed on what went on in the GOJHL this past weekend, let’s dive into the nine game schedule we have in store for us this week. Remember Hockey Fans, this is the final week of regular season play in the 2011-2012 Junior B hockey schedule.

GAME 1 – Tuesday, February 21 – 7:00pm
WELLAND vs. BUFFALO
THIS SEASON: Welland (26-21-1), Buffalo (8-40-2)
NOTE: Welland leads season series 5-0
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Buffalo State Arena

The Welland Canadians head into Buffalo tonight to take on the Blades. This marks the sixth and final time that these two clubs will meet this season. In the previous five games that these two teams have played against each other, the Canadians have managed to skate away each time with the “W”. You can bet that the Blades are going to want to win a game against the Canadians to boost their confidence as this is their final regular season game of the year. Look for Canadians leading scorer Mike Marquis (33 goals, 37 assists) to light up the score sheet as he looks to lead his club to a season series sweep. Blades forward Brian Osieja (16 goals, 24 assists) needs to bring his best efforts forward in this game tonight if his team is going to end the season on a high note. Game time is set for 7:00pm tonight in the Buffalo State Arena.

GAME 2 – Tuesday February 21 – 7:00pm
LISTOWEL vs. KITCHENER
THIS SEASON: Listowel (15-30-3), Kitchener (10-31-8)
NOTE: Listowel leads season series 3-2
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Kinsmen Arena

After clinching the eighth and final playoff spot in the Midwestern Conference, the Kitchener Dutchmen will look to start adding some wins to their resume this season. With just two games remaining on their schedule they’ll look for something big to happen tonight against the Listowel Cyclones. This marks the sixth and final time that these two teams will meet this season, in the previous five games the Cyclones have skated away the winners three times. Can the Dutchmen tie up the series before the post season begins? Only time will tell. Caleb Cameron (29 goals, 26 assists) and Cyclones teammate Jeff Bauer (20 goals, 34 assists) are going to be tough for the opposition to stop when they get going. Dutchmen leading scorer Phil Edgar (14 goals, 19 assists) will need to bring his best effort of the season to the ice tonight. This battle gets underway in the Kinsmen Arena, tonight at 7:00pm.

GAME 3 – Tuesday, February 21 – 7:30pm
NIAGARA FALLS vs. ST. CATHARINES
THIS SEASON: Niagara Falls (37-8-4), St. Catharines (39-8-2)
NOTE: Niagara Falls leads season series 6-0
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Jack Gatecliff Arena

With just two points separating the Golden Horseshoe Conference’s first ranked St. Catharines Falcons from the second ranked Niagara Falls Canucks; this game tonight is going to be a crazy battle. The Canucks have managed to win each of the six previous games that these two clubs have played against each other and you know they’ll be looking for the season series sweep in St. Catharines tonight. Count on this game to be one heck of a battle between two clubs whose dominance on the ice has been on display against the rest of the conference this year. Watch Captain Canuck, Cam McLean (27 goals, 71 assists) lead his team while he gets secondary scoring from Ben O’Quinn (45 goals, 48 assists) and teammate Cam Stewart (34 goals, 32 assists). The Falcons forwards Riley Jakobschuk (27 goals, 33 assists) and Curtis Longland (26 goals, 32 assists) will be looked upon to spoil the series sweep for the opposition. This game gets underway tonight at 7:30pm in the Jack Gatecliff Arena.

GAME 4 – Wednesday, February 22 – 7:00pm
LEAMINGTON vs. LASALLE
THIS SEASON: Leamington (27-17-4), LaSalle (24-22-2)
NOTE: Leamington leads season series 4-1
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Vollmer Arena

The Western Conference sixth ranked LaSalle Vipers will look to leapfrog over the Strathroy Rockets for fifth place in the conference tomorrow night with a big upset win over the second ranked Leamington Flyers. This could potentially be big in the standings for the Vipers assuming they can pull off a “W” against a club which has defeated them four out of five previous games this season. Look for Flyers leading scorer Alex Seguin (32 goals, 35 assists) to cast aside any doubt as to why his team deserves the second place spot in the Western Conference. Watch for a solid performance from Vipers forward Matt Beaudoin (24 goals, 37 assists). Catch the action in this game when it gets underway Wednesday night in the Vollmer Arena at 7:00pm.

GAME 5 – Wednesday, February 22 – 7:00pm
ST. MARYS vs. LONDON
THIS SEASON: St. Marys (22-16-11), London (26-19-3)
NOTE: London leads season series 4-1
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Western Fair Arena

In what could possibly be one of the best games of the week tomorrow night, two team tied for third place in the Western Conference face-off against each other for the fifth and final time of the regular season. With two points on the line, the London Nationals and the St. Marys Lincolns will be sure to entertain all those who manage to make their way out to the arena in London. The Nationals currently have one game at hand over the Lincolns. Keep an eye out for Lincolns Captain, Sean Consitt (19 goals, 35 assists) and teammate Brendon Merritt (17 goals, 35 assists) to lead their team to a big win. Nationals Noah Schwartz (20 goals, 54 assists) leads his club in scoring and will get secondary help from Aaron Dartch (28 goals, 37 assists). Puck drops on this big game on Wednesday night at 7:00pm in the Western Fair Arena.

GAME 6 – Thursday, February 23 – 7:07pm
FORT ERIE vs. THOROLD
THIS SEASON: Fort Erie (12-34-3), Thorold (30-17-2)
NOTE: Thorold leads season series 5-1
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Thorold Arena

Tied for third place with the Port Colborne Pirates in the Golden Horseshoe Conference rankings, the Thorold Blackhawks cannot afford to let two points escape them from their game on Thursday night against the sixth ranked Fort Erie Meteors. In the six games these two clubs have faced each other this season; the Blackhawks have managed to escape five times with victories. We’ll see what happens when these two teams hit the ice on Thursday night. Look for some scoring to come from Blackhawks forward Greg Cerilli (32 goals, 31 assists) and from Meteors leading scorer Jordan Bailey (16 goals, 35 assists). This game is scheduled to begin on Thursday night at 7:07pm in the Thorold Arena.

GAME 7 – Thursday, February 23 – 7:10pm
CHATHAM vs. LEAMINGTON
THIS SEASON: Chatham (18-26-5), Leamington (27-17-4)
NOTE: Leamington leads season series 3-2
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Leamington Arena

The Leamington Flyers will look to score two more points on Thursday night against the Chatham Maroons, a club who will miss the post season this year. The Maroons are going to be playing in their second last game of the season on Thursday night and you can expect that they’ll want to finish their season on a high note. In the season series between these two clubs, the Flyers have managed to win three of five games between the two teams. Can the Maroons even up the series in their sixth and final meeting? Only time will tell. Maroons Captain, Sean Myers (23 goals, 37 assists) is going to bring out his best efforts of his season in this game Thursday night. Battle begins on Thursday evening in the Leamington Arena at7:10pm.

GAME 8 – Thursday, February 23 – 7:10pm
STRATHROY vs. SARNIA
THIS SEASON: Strathroy (24-22-2), Sarnia (31-14-4)
NOTE: Sarnia leads season series 5-0
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Sarnia Arena

The Western Conference first ranked Sarnia Legionnaires will look to close out their season long series against the Strathroy Rockets on Thursday night with a sweep. The Legionnaires have won all five previous meetings against the Rockets and show no signs of letting up in their sixth and final game against them. These two teams could potentially meet in the first round of the post season so all eyes in the Western Conference will be on the score of this game. Davis Brown (45 goals, 34 assists) leads the Rockets in points this season and shows no signs of letting up with just a few games remaining. Legionnaires Jesse Drydak (37 goals, 38 assists) and teammate Jason Teschke (25 goals, 37 assists) are going to be tough to stop when they get the puck. Get ready for this battle Hockey Fans; it gets going Thursday night in the Sarnia Arena at 7:10pm.

GAME 9 – Thursday, February 23 – 7:30pm
BRANTFORD vs. GUELPH
THIS SEASON: Brantford (39-7-3), Guelph (23-24-2)
NOTE: Brantford leads season series 4-1
*this is the final game of the season long series between these two teams.
LOCATION: Sleeman Centre

The Midwestern Conference first ranked Brantford Golden Eagles will look to defend their first ranked status when they take to the ice on Thursday night against the fifth ranked Guelph Hurricanes. The Golden Eagles currently hold a 4-1 series lead over the Hurricanes with this being the final matchup between the two clubs this season. Make sure to keep your eye out for scoring to come from Golden Eagles leading scorer’s Mike Rebry (27 goals, 30 assists), Trent Hawke (25 goals, 28 assists) and Mike Riley (24 goals, 27 assists). Hurricanes leading scorer’s Nic MacEachern (24 goals, 31 assists) and Shane Kinsella (20 goals, 35 assists) along with teammate Mike Iacocca (17 goals, 37 assists) will no doubt bring some tough offense to this battle. This final game of the week gets underway on Thursday evening in the Sleeman Centre beginning at 7:30pm.

There you have it Hockey Fans, all nine games of the week previewed and ready for you to take in. With just two or three games remaining for your favourite GOJHL clubs, this week is going to be very important for the entire league. Make sure you head out to the arenas to cheer on your favourite players. Just days remain until the post season, the countdown is on! Until the weekend Hockey Fans, have fun, stay safe, aim high and like always, keep your stick on the ice! Cheers!