THUNDER BAY – For the first time in the clubs eleven year existence, the Thunder Bay Chill (12-2-2) are getting ready to host the Premier Development League (PDL), Central Conference Championship. The weekend’s events will include two semi finals on Friday, July 30th, 2010, and the conference finals taking place on Saturday, July 31st.
The Michigan Bucks (11-3-2) finished on top of the Great Lakes Division standings, and will face the Rochester Thunder (10-3-3), who claimed second place in the Heartland Division behind the Chill. Another Canadian side will be traveling to Thunder Bay to face the Chill, as Forest City London (10-1-5) finished in second place in the Great Lakes Division, and have booked themselves a date against the home side.
The PDL announced today that Brandon Swartzendruber has been chosen as one of the finalists for the 2010 PDL Regular Season MVP Award. The award will be voted on by the other clubs and the winner will be announced during the playoffs. Swartzendruber, led the PDL in scoring and overall points in the regular season with 15 goals and 35 points in sixteen games. Swartzendruber was aided by his strike-partner Gustavo Oliveria who led the league in assists with 13 in thirteen games. The Chill will look to those veterans to start the teams’ playoff run on the right foot against Forest City London.
“This is playoffs and what happened in the league doesn’t matter anymore. It’s one game and London is tough. We will need to be perfect on Friday night,” said Chill Head Coach Tony Colistro.
Michigan Bucks bring their own star power to Chapples Park, as Kenny Uzoigwe finished the regular season 5th overall in points with 27 in twelve games, and fourth in overall scoring with 12 goals. Luke Holmes will feature as the main threat for Forest City London. Holmes finished just behind Swartzendruber in second place in both points and goals, with 32 points and 14 goals in fourteen games. Rochester will be without forward Mark Heath Presten, who led the Thunder in scoring and points in the regular season with 11 goals and 24 points in fourteen games, as he will not be making the trip to Thunder Bay.
Game Schedule for July 30th – 31st, 2010.
Semi Final 1
Friday, July 30th, 2010 – 3:00 p.m. (EDT) – Michigan Bucks vs. Rochester Thunder.
Semi Final 2
Friday, July 30th, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. (EDT) – Thunder Bay Chill vs. Forest City London.
Central Conference Championship Final
Saturday, July 31st, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. (EDT) – Winner of Semi Final 1 vs. Winner of Semi Final 2.
* All games take place at Chapples Park, Thunder Bay, Ontario.