DECEMBER 28 – Hello Hockey Fans and welcome to the 33rd edition of this season’s GOJHL Preview.

After a fantastic Christmas weekend spent with your friends and family, I’m sure that you’re ready to head to the rinks to take in some awesome Junior B hockey action. With just four games taking place this week, we’ll take a quick peak at the match ups that’ll transpire over the next 72 hours. Before we dig into this week, let’s recap what went on last Friday in the greatest league in Ontario.

The Midwestern Conference was surprised to see the results of the game on Friday night between the first ranked Stratford Cullitons and the sixth ranked Listowel Cyclones. The Cyclones were able to entertain their home crowd while shutting down the power house Cullitons. Winning the game 2-1 the Cyclones received an early Christmas gift while sending a message to the rest of the conference. Heading into this week the Cullitons continue to sit atop the conference with 56 points, the Brantford Golden Eagles and their 54 points are second in the conference. Rounding out the top three is the Elmira Sugar Kings and their 53 points.

Gaining two big points on Friday night in the Golden Horseshoe Conference, the Niagara Falls Canucks entertained their home crowd, defeating the Thorold Blackhawks by a final score of 2-0. The win game the Canucks 48 points on the season and helped to push them six points ahead of the conference’s third ranked Blackhawks. Heading into this week the St. Catharines Falcons retain the top spot in the Golden Horseshoe Conference with 59 points, they also hold the rank of top spot in the entire GOJHL. The Canucks and their 48 points are second among the conference, while the Blackhawks and their 42 points sit in third place.

Finally in the Western Conference the Sarnia Legionnaires took to the road, heading into Strathroy to face off against the Rockets. In a hard fought battle the Legionnaires managed to escape the victors of a 7-5 game. In the process the Legionnaires secured two big points to retain top spot in the conference. Heading into this week, the Legionnaires and their 46 points are first place in the Western Conference. The London Nationals and their 44 points are hot on the heels of the Legionnaires and will no doubt try their best to escape the second place title early in the New Year. The Leamington Flyers and their 39 points move into the third place position.

Now that your all caught up to speed on the standings in all three conferences, it’s time to take a look at the four games we have in store for your enjoyment this week.

GAME 1 – Wednesday, December 28 – 7:15pm
ST. CATHARINES vs. FORT ERIE
THIS SEASON: St. Catharines (29-2-1), Fort Erie (10-23-1)
NOTE: St. Catharines leads season series 3-0
LOCATION: LeisurePlex Arena

The Fort Erie Meteors have a tall task at hand tonight when they take on the GOJHL’s first ranked St. Catharines Falcons. In the three games that these two clubs have played against each other, the Falcons have managed to win each match up. Can the eighth ranked Meteors pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season? Only time will tell. Make sure you keep a close watch out for the amazing scoring talent from Falcons forward Curtis Longland (20 goals, 22 assists) and Meteors leading scorer Nik Passero (10 goals, 25 assists). Both players will be ready to do battle come puck drop in the LeisurePlex Arena tonight at 7:15pm

GAME 2 – Friday, December 30 – 7:30pm
WELLAND vs. NIAGARA FALLS
THIS SEASON: Welland (16-18-0), Niagara Falls (22-7-4)
NOTE: Season series tied 3-3
LOCATION: Gale Centre

The second game of the 33rd edition of the GOJHL Preview features two clubs from the Golden Horseshoe Conference who will no doubt be ready to play come puck drop. In the six previous games between the fifth ranked Welland Canadians and the second ranked Niagara Falls Canucks, they’ve each managed to win three games making this a tie-breaker of sorts between the two clubs. Get ready to watch Canucks leading scorer Cam McLean (19 goals, 46 assists) and teammate Ben O’Quinn (26 goals, 30 assists) as they look to get their team two big points. Canadians leading scorer Mike Marquis (23 goals, 16 assists) will no doubt be a marked man with the puck. Puck drops on this battle on Friday night at 7:30pm in the Gale Centre.

GAME 3 – Friday, December 30 – 7:30pm
ST. MARYS vs. STRATFORD
THIS SEASON: St. Marys (16-14-4), Stratford (28-4-0)
NOTE: This is an interlock game between the Western and Midwestern Conference’s
LOCATION: Allman Arena

What’s a better way to head into the New Year than to celebrate with a Junior B interlock game. The Midwestern Conference first ranked Stratford Cullitons will take to the ice at home against the Western Conference fifth ranked St. Marys Lincolns. This game promises to be one that you won’t want to miss hockey fans. With a win in this game the Lincolns could tie the St. Thomas Stars for fourth place in their conference, so expect them to come out flying. Watch for scoring from Cullitons leading scorer Brad McClure (33 goals, 20 assists) and Lincolns forward Mitchell Berzins (14 goals, 26 assists) as they both get set to do battle against each other. Game time is set for Friday night at 7:30pm in the Allman Arena.

GAME 4 – Friday, December 30 – 8:00pm
THOROLD vs. PORT COLBORNE
THIS SEASON: Thorold (20-12-2), Port Colborne (19-11-1)
NOTE: Port Colborne leads season series 2-1
LOCATION: West Side Arena

The Port Colborne Pirates play host to the Thorold Blackhawks on Friday evening in the final game before the New Year. This battle, featuring the Blackhawks in third place and the Pirates who are in fourth place is going to be a game you won’t want to miss. With just three points separating these two clubs you know that they’ll both want a “W” pretty badly. In the three games that these two teams have played against each other this season, the Pirates have managed to win two of them. Greg Cerilli (15 goals, 20 assists) and teammate Colt Kennedy (15 goals, 18 assists) will be key factors to a Blackhawks victory. Pirates leading scorer Pat Clifford (5 goals, 40 assists) and teammate Zach DeConcilys (19 goals, 22 assists) will be tough to stop when they get a scoring chance. This final game of 2011 gets underway Friday night at 8:00pm in the West Side Arena.

There you have it Hockey Fans, the final games scheduled for 2011. Make sure you get out to at least one of these battles this week. With the New Year fast approaching we would like to wish you all the best for 2012. Make sure you have fun, stay safe, aim high and keep your stick on the ice! Cheers!