Playoff Matchups - First Round

The 2019 version of the East Hants Jr. Gents Hockey League playoffs gets underway tonight, with some familiar foes squaring off in two-game total goal series which are a sure bet to entertain. The 2018-2019 regular season was the most competitive season yet, as league parity improves and any team can win on any given night, as evidenced by the standings, where second through fourth were separated by just one point.

Meanwhile, President's trophy winner CKG enjoys the benefit of a two week break to rest up for what it hopes to be a third consecutive trip to the Keith Miller Cup final.

Sac-Vegas (#2) vs. NovaCorp (#7)
Season Series:
Sac-Vegas (2 - 1)

Sac-Vegas, now in its second season in the EHJGHL, finished with an impressive record of 9-5-0-1, good enough to take sole possession of second place. Offensively the team was led by Brett Arthur (17G, 14A), Andrew Skinner (14G, 14A) and Zach Thomas (12G, 7A). The team boasts a host of offensive weapons and is not fearful of engaging in an 80s style track meet. The team has been met with inconsistent play at times throughout the season, so much will depend on which version of the squad shows up when it counts.

Similarly, NovaCorp has also witnessed up and down play througout the season, finishing with a record of 4-11-0-1. Despite an overhauled roster, Novacorp only managed flashes of what the league pundits were expecting in its sophomore season.  Michael Rizzato (15G, 15A), supported by Mark Pottie (7G, 6A) and offensive-defenceman Jamie Sweet (3G, 9A). Goaltender Dave White, who has the most minutes of any goalie this year, suiting up for not only his own team but filling in for other squads around the league when called upon, has the capability of stealing a game on his own, and will look to do so as the underdog in this opening round matchup.

AC Doors (#3) vs. Davies Plumbing and Heating (#6)

Season series:
AC Doors (2-0)

AC Doors, with a record of 9-5-0-1, narrowly missed finishing in second place, letting a 3-0 lead against Rodgers Royals slip away in the final game of the season, resulting in a tie with Sac-Vegas, the latter of whom held the tie breaker.

Led by its high-powered first line of Neil Pashkoski (11G, 18A), Andrew Oakley (12G, 15A) and Conor Fudge (11G, 14A), supported on the back end by Kyle Ross (4G, 11A), AC Doors - among the elder statesmen of the EHJGHL - will look to extend its competitive window. Ricky Jones stumbled somewhat as the grind of the season wore on, but will look to regain the form that led to him receiving the 2018 Playoff MVP.

Davies finished with a record of 6-10-0-0, good enough for twelve points. Alex Anthony (6G, 13A) led the team offensively, though there was plenty of offensive support as Davies boasts seven players with at least ten points, including Jason Ellis (5G, 10A), Anthony Cardinal (8G, 5A) and Cole MacDonell (8G, 4A). In the pipes, Scott Marrison has been called upon with frequency and will need to be solid to stymie the AC Doors attack.


Rodgers Royals (#4) vs. Shooters (#5)

Season series:
Royals (2 - 1)

Rodgers Royals finished with a record of 9-7-0-0, good enough for fourth in their inaugural season. Though the team is technically in its first season, it contains a number of EHJGHL veterans and will look to channel that experience. The Royals were led offensively by Tyler Noseworthy (12G, 9A), Billy Hartley (9G, 10A) and Tyson Aalders (4G, 14A), and will also be able to rely on scoring depth which is not matched by any other team in the league, as it has nine players with more than ten points.

Shooters, who has had an up and down season, was once again led offensively by Kyle Miller (4G, 11A), though new addition Alex Feltmate (13G, 1A) has provided an injection of offense as well. Goalile Alex Taylor has been solid when called upon, and will need to continue that play against the high-flying Royals if Shooters is to pull of the upset.