2024 Schmalz Cup Playoff Semi-Finals Begin April 23rd

Only four teams remain in the 2024 Schmalz Cup Playoffs, as the Semi-Finals kick off on April 23^rd between the Lakeshore Canadiens and the New Hamburg Firebirds. The other side of the bracket consists of the Clarington Eagles and the Hanover Barons.

This year’s 2024 Schmalz Cup runs a bracket all the way to the Schmalz Cup Finals. Both the semi-finals and the finals will be a best of 7 series between the two teams. When one team reaches 4 wins, the Schmalz Cup will be presented at the end of the game to the winning club. In addition, the Commissioners Trophy will also be awarded to the 2024 Playoff MVP.

A look at the final four teams competing for the Schmalz Cup:

PJHL Semi-Final #1 – Hanover Barons vs Clarington Eagles

Hanover Barons (16-6) – The Hanover Barons won their first Pollock Division championship for the first time in 21-years by defeating the Mount Forest Patriots. It took a 7-game series between the Patriots to reach that title, with 3 games being decided in overtime. It was Austin Farlow who scored his first 2024 playoff goal to win it for the Barons in overtime. Following up, the Barons managed to defeat the Carruthers Division champs, the Alliston Hornets, in 5 games to claim their first conference title.

The dual threat of Kyle Maloney and Alex McGillivray lead the playoff scoring race with 34 points and 30 points respectively. Maloney carries an impressive league leading 29-assists, while McGillivray has 15 goals, the most among players remaining in the playoffs. Derek Hartley has led the way for a majority of the playoffs, with a 14-6 record. His 1.83 GAA is good for third among goalies who have played at least ten postseason games.

Clarington Eagles (16-3) – The Clarington Eagles have won their third straight Orr Division championship, and their third straight East Conference banner. The Eagles only suffered one loss on their path to the division title, and managed to sweep the Georgina Ice in that Orr Division series, a team that had yet to lose a game in the playoffs up until that point. When matched up with the Napanee Raiders, it took 6-games for the Eagles to claim that conference title. Of those six games, four of them were decided by a one goal margin, with two of them going to overtime. The Eagles look to avenge last season’s finals loss to the Wellesley Applejacks.

Trevor Urquhart leads the way for the Eagles in scoring, putting up 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 18 games. Following closely is Jordan Shaw, who has 12 goals and 9 assists for 21 points in the postseason. His four game-winning-goals is tied for first along side Ryan Colquhoun and Drayton Howell. In net, the Orr Division’s top goalie Oliver Webster boasts a 11-3 record with a 1.50 GAA and a 0.939 SV%. His goaltending partner, Jude Rondina, has been efficient in net as well, winning 5 games with a 1.31 GAA.

PJHL Semi-Final #2 – Lakeshore Canadiens vs New Hamburg Firebirds

Lakeshore Canadiens (16-3) – The Lakeshore Canadiens enter the semifinals after sweeping the Thamesford Trojans for the 2^nd straight year. At this point in the playoffs, the Canadiens have swept 3 out of their 4 series. Their only three losses of the postseason came from a full game 7 series against the Essex 73’s, where they would win the series to claim the Stobbs Division championship for the second straight year. The Canadiens are looking to reach the Schmalz Cup finals after competing in the final four last year.

Lakeshore’s greatest strength comes from their balanced scoring. The Canadiens leading playoff scorer, Kyle Walker, has 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points. Out of the Canadiens top ten scorers, 4 players have averaged a point per game. Rookie defenceman Evan Fenech is tied for fourth in assists among defenceman. Netminder Boe Piroski has been tasked with the majority of the workload this post season, carrying a 10-2 record with a 1.34 GAA. His 0.956 SV% is the highest among goaltenders with at least ten games played.

New Hamburg Firebirds (12-3) – The Firebirds have entered the semi-finals after winning their series with the Grimsby Peach Kings 4-1. The Firebirds had a bye in the first round, and defeated the Hespeler Shamrocks 4-1 in the second round. In the Doherty Finals, the Firebirds won over the Woodstock Navy Vets four games to one. The Firebirds lost to the Wellesley Applejacks last season in the Doherty finals. The Firebirds have reached the Conference finals twice in the 2022 playoffs.

Being the only team in the final four who had a bye in the first round, the Firebirds offence had to pick-up quickly. Owen Fischer, the Doherty Division MVP, leads the way with 10 goals and 9 assists for 19 points in 15 games. Following close behind is Owen Bruder with 15 points, and Antonio Pasqualino with 14 points. On the blue line, Kyle Kraemer leads the way for the team with 3 goals and 9 assists. Graeme Noye played in all 15 games for the Firebirds, carrying a 2.16 GAA and a 0.918 SV%.

The semi-finals kick off Tuesday April 23^rd at 8:00pm at the Wilmot Recreation Complex between the Firebirds and the Canadiens. The first game of the Eagles and Barons takes place Friday April 26^th at 8pm. The remaining schedule will be released at a later date.

Please direct questions and inquiries to:

Mitchell Giamou, Social Media & Marketing Manager

Marketing@thepj.ca

289-681-2448

About the Provincial Junior Hockey League

The Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) is made up of 63 franchises across Ontario and is the largest junior hockey league in the world. We are proud to provide opportunities for more than 1,450 players to play competitive hockey while continuing to pursue their post-secondary education and career ambitions.