(1) Ayr vs (8) Burford

The Ayr Centennials are one victory away from the 2nd round after beating Burford 12-2 on Thursday night at the North Dumfries Community Centre. Ayr captain Hudson Michaelis scored 2 goals and picked up 2 assists in the win. Mac West also had a good night with 4 points for Ayr. John MacDonald chipped in with 3 points.

The Centennials will look to close out the series on Saturday night in Burford. Puck drop is at 7:30pm. Ayr is looking to win the division title and the Schmalz Cup for the 3rd year in a row.  

(2) Tavistock vs (7) New Hamburg

The Braves and Firebirds split the first two games in their series with each team winning on home ice. Game 3 is tonight at the Tavistock Arena with Game 4 set for tomorrow night back in New Hamburg. So far this series has been very tight and the players on Tavistock know what it's like being the number 7 seed. Last year, the Braves were seeded 7th and they pushed Paris all the way to a 7th and deciding game in the first round.  The players recently commented to 519 Sports Online about not taking anything for granted, despite where the teams finished in the standings during the regular season.

Tavistock is hoping for a deep playoff run after enjoying their best season since joining the Doherty Division 5 years ago.  As for the Firebirds, Matt Schouppe and Quinn Bisch both have 3 points in 2 games in the series.

(3) Woodstock vs (6) Norwich

The Woodstock Navy Vets have been getting all they can handle from the Norwich Merchants so far in their opening round series.  Woodstock leads the series 2 games to 1, however both of those wins came in overtime.  Austin Richardson was the hero in Game 1 scoring 1:55 into OT.  Dylan Wettlaufer scored the overtime winner in Game 3.

The series resumes tonight with Game 4 back in Norwich. Game 5 will be played in Woodstock on Saturday night at 7:45pm. 

(4) Paris vs (5) Wellesley

The Mounties have jumped out to a 2-0 series lead with Game 3 on Saturday night at 7:30pm at the Brant Sports Complex. Tyler Kress was the overtime hero in Game 1 lifting Paris to a 5-4 victory, then in Game 2 it was a young goaltender coming through for the Mounties.

Kyle Curtin was forced into action with Davis McLean and Justin Hergott both not available for last Sunday's Game 2 in Wellesley. The 16-year old netminder was outstanding in his Mounties debut turning aside 36 shots in a 4-3 win over the Applejacks. Curtin was called up from the Brantford 99ers Major Midget team before the game and he delivered in a pressure packed situation on the road in his first Junior C game.

Meanwhile, the Applejacks desperatley need a win to get back into the series.  The team is full of talent with Shaun Pickering, Alex Uttley and Jordan Hoekstra but a pair of one goal losses has Wellesley facing pretty much a must win game on Saturday.  Game 4 in the series is on Sunday afternoon at the Wellesley Arena.

For some video highlights from the PJHL playoffs check out the video section on our website.