Playoff Tickets Punched in High School Hockey

The first round of playoffs is set in the KCSSAA high school boys hockey loop after a pair of games Wednesday. In Wallaceburg, the CKSS Golden Hawks downed the Tartans 4-2, while Ridgetown upended the UCC Lancer 3-2 in Chatham.

The outcome is that the first round of playoffs has been set in the league, with first place LKCS (Dresden) and second place Ridgetown receiving first round byes. In the quarterfinals, the reigning Kent Champion CKSS Golden Hawks who finished third, will face last place John McGregor, while the UCC Lancers will play Wallaceburg.

In CKSS’ 4-2 win over Wallaceburg, Lucas Stanhope had a 4-point game scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. Nolan Smith had the other CKSS goal while Dylan Bell added 2 assists. Wallaceburg’s goal scorers were Lee Purnell and Valley Gilhuly.

Kurt Beecroft, Steven Beenackers, and Brandon Falconer scored for the Ridgetown Royals as they secured second place by defeating the UCC Lancers 3-2. UCC’s goals came from Dylan Smith and Wade Esselment.

CKSS will finish their season Thursday facing the undefeated LKCS Cardinals in a rematch of last year’s Kent final, while UCC and Wallaceburg cap off their season in Wallaceburg.