THUNDER BAY – Sports – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced today the release of its opening round playoff schedule.
There will be three first round match-ups, including a pair of best-of-seven quarter-final series.
Also on tap will be a 1 vs. 2 Showdown featuring the No. 1 Fort Frances Lakers taking on the No. 2 Thunder Bay North Stars in a two-game total-goal series with the winner earning the right to choose their semifinal opponent.
Thunder Bay will host game 1 Saturday at the Fort William Gardens at 7:30 p.m.
The finale goes Friday, March 21 at the Ice for Kids Arena in Fort Frances at 7:30 p.m.
Should the two teams be tied in total goals after the second game, overtime, and if required, a shootout will be used to decide a winner.
As for quarter-final play, both of those best-of-seven affairs will get underway Friday.
Game 1 of the No. 3 Minnesota Iron Rangers – No. 6 Wisconsin Wilderness series takes place at 7 p.m. at Hoyt Lakes Arena.
Game 2 goes Sunday evening back at 7:30 p.m. in Hoyt Lakes before shifting to the Spooner Ice House for games 3 and 4 March 19 and 21 at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile the opener between the No. 4 English River Miners and No. 5 Dryden Ice Dogs features a 7 p.m. face-off at Ear Falls Arena.
Game 2 will take place Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Ear Falls.
That series will then head to Dryden Memorial Arena for games 3 and 4 March 19-20 at 7:30 p.m.
Though tied in the regular season standings English River earned home ice advantage over Dryden by virtue of a better head-to-head record vs. the Ice Dogs, winning six of the 11 meetings.
The following is the SIJHL first round playoff schedule.
SIJHL 1ST ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
SERIES A
1 vs. 2 Showdown (Two-game, total-goal series)
No. 1 Fort Frances Lakers vs. No. 2 Thunder Bay North Stars
Winner earns the right to choose semifinal opponent
Game 1: Saturday, March 15 @ Thunder Bay 7:30 p.m. (Fort William Gardens)
Game 2: Friday, March 21 @ Fort Frances 7:30 p.m. (Ice for Kids Arena)
SERIES B
Quarter-final (Best-of-seven)
No. 3 Minnesota Iron Rangers vs. No. 6 Wisconsin Wilderness
Game 1: Friday, March 14 @ Minnesota 7 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes Arena)
Game 2: Sunday, March 16 @ Minnesota 7 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes Arena)
Game 3: Wednesday, March 19 @ Wisconsin 7 p.m. (Spooner Ice House)
Game 4: Friday, March 21 @ Wisconsin 7 p.m. (Spooner Ice House)
Game 5*: Saturday, March 22 @ Minnesota 7 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes Arena)
Game 6*: Monday, March 24 @ Wisconsin 7 p.m. (Spooner Ice House)
Game 7*: Tuesday, March 25 @ Minnesota 7 p.m. (Hoyt Lakes Arena)
*-if necessary
SERIES C
Quarter-final (Best-of-seven)
No. 4 English River Miners vs. No. 5 Dryden Ice Dogs
Game 1: Friday, March 14 @ English River 7 p.m. (Ear Falls Arena)
Game 2: Sunday, March 16 @ English River 3 p.m. (Ear Falls Arena )
Game 3: Wednesday, March 19 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
Game 4: Thursday, March 20 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
Game 5*: Saturday, March 22 @ English River 7 p.m. (Ear Falls Arena)
Game 6*: Monday, March 24 @ Dryden 7:30 p.m. (Memorial Arena)
Game 7*: Wednesday, March 26 @ English River 7 p.m. (Ear Falls Arena)
*-if necessary
