PJHL Playoffs – Schmalz Cup Finals Preview

The stage is officially set.

After months of intense competition, the 2025–26 PJHL season comes down to one final showdown as the Tavistock Braves and Fergus Whalers prepare to face off in the Schmalz Cup Final. Two teams, two different paths, but one common goal—raising the Schmalz Cup.

This postseason has delivered no shortage of drama, and both Tavistock and Fergus have navigated their own emotional and competitive journeys to reach this point.

Whalers Riding Dominant Playoff Run

The Fergus Whalers enter the Finals as one of the most dominant teams of the postseason. After finishing first in the North Pollock Division with an impressive 34–7 record—and carrying a 14-game winning streak into the playoffs—Fergus earned a first-round bye and hasn’t looked back since.

Their road to the Finals has included series wins over Kincardine and Hanover to secure the North Pollock Division title, followed by a victory over Stayner to claim the South Conference Championship. Most recently, the Whalers defeated the Frankford Huskies in five games in the Schmalz Cup Semi-Finals.

Through it all, Fergus has compiled an outstanding 16–2 playoff record.

Offensively, the Whalers have been powered by standout performances from Joey Martin, who has piled up 32 points in just 16 games, and defenseman Liam Eveleigh, who has added 25 points in 18 games from the back end. Between the pipes, Noah Lundgren has been a difference-maker in his first playoff run with the club. The netminder holds a remarkable 16–1 record, along with a 0.915 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average.

With elite production up front and steady goaltending anchoring the team, Fergus will look to cap off their dominant postseason with a championship.

Braves Building Momentum at the Right Time

On the other side, the Tavistock Braves have taken a battle-tested route to the Finals—and they’ve only gotten stronger along the way. After finishing second in the Doherty Division during the regular season, Tavistock opened the playoffs with series wins over the Paris Titans and Wellesley Applejacks to advance to the division finals.

There, they faced the Woodstock Navy Vets in one of the most thrilling matchups of the postseason. The Braves emerged victorious in a hard-fought seven-game series, capturing their first division title since 2018. Tavistock has continued to build momentum since that milestone, defeating the Dundas Blues in five games before knocking off the Lakeshore Canadiens to punch their ticket to the Finals.

The Braves’ playoff success has been fueled by offensive leaders Ethan Stover and Yann Raskin, who currently sit atop the postseason scoring race. Their contributions, combined with strong depth throughout the lineup, have made Tavistock a dangerous opponent.

Now, with confidence and momentum on their side, the Braves will look to complete their run with a Schmalz Cup championship.

Schmalz Cup Finals Schedule

Game 1: May 2 – 8:30 PM – Fergus

Game 2: May 4 – 7:30 PM – Tavistock

Game 3: May 6 – 8:30 PM – Tavistock

Game 4: May 8 – 8:30 PM – Fergus

Game 5*: May 10 – 3:30 PM – Fergus

Game 6*: May 12 – 7:30 PM – Tavistock

Game 7*: May 14 – 7:30 PM – Fergus

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About the PJHL
The Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) is the largest junior hockey league in Ontario, comprising 61 teams across the province. With a commitment to player development, community engagement, and excellence on and off the ice, the PJHL continues to serve as a vital pathway in Canadian junior hockey.