Great Lakes Junior C Playoff Preview: Will Canadiens Repeat?

If last year’s playoffs were any indication, local hockey fans can expect a number of surprises again this spring as the Great Lakes Junior C playoffs are set to get underway.

Below is a look at each opening round series in the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League:

Blenheim Blades (1) vs. Dresden Kings (4)

This series will be anything but a first versus worst matchup. In fact, the teams split their 6 game season series 3-3. Who would have won game 7 in this series? It looks like we’ll have to wait and see, and fans might be in for the full 7 games again. After taking Wallaceburg for a ride last year, Blenheim is back with the veteran experience needed to make a serious playoff push. Veteran scorers Thomas Innes, Tyler Clarke, and Taylor Phillips will be difficult for Dresden’s defense corps to stop. The real decider in this series, as in many playoff series’ will be which team’s goaltender comes to play. Dresden played Brent Paxton and Brandon Funk fairly evenly throughout the season, while Blenheim rode starter Dyaln Vanderpol in most important games. The edge goes to Blenheim in this category, and likely the series. CKSN Pick: Blenheim in 7 games.

Mooretown (2) vs. Alvinston (3)
Lambton County rivals meet in the first series, but it’s uncertain what each team will bring to the table. Mooretown roster has seen players disappear to Sarnia’s Junior B program off and on all season, and losing the wrong player at the wrong time could be devastating for the Flags. These teams again split their season series, with many of the games featuring an all offense, high scoring style of play, including a 9-7 game late in the season with Alvinston coming out on top. Dan Warner, the Great Lakes player of the month in January, and Chris Edwards have been nearly unstoppable for Alvinston, however their offense drops off severely after these two. Look for Mooretown’s experience and depth to prevail. CKSN Pick: Mooretown in 6 games.

Essex (1) vs. Kingsville (4)

In terms of no brainers in this year’s Great Lakes playoffs, this is as close as it gets. Essex should have no problem handling the sporadic Kingsville Comets. Although Essex swept the season series, the two teams did play a few close games, including a 1-0 shutout game, and a 3-2 Essex shootout win. Essex puck moving, smooth skating back end should easily handle Kingsville. Even if the Comets do steal a game in the opening round, they are no threat to Essex. Pick: Essex 73s in 4 games.

Belle River (2) vs. Wheatley (3)

A rematch of last season’s Great Lakes final, anything could happen in this series that will undoubtedly be filled with bad blood as both teams return veteran lineups to the series. After going to seven games in last year’s final, which Belle River eventually won, the teams continued their back and forth ways splitting the season series 3-3. Wheatley goalie Marc Tremblay can simply steal games but will face a varied arsenal of scorers from the defending champions including Chris DiNatale, Nik Dobrich, Scott Chauvin, and Mike Ditty. The late season addition of former Chatham Maroons captain Keith Maisonville on the blueline has helped spark Belle River’s powerplay as well. Pick: Belle River in 6 games.