Evan Dowd of the Stratford Warrios and Carter McLlwain of the Listowel Cyclones take a faceoff in Stratford's end during Game 1 of their best-of-7 GOJHL playoff series. (Photo by Censational Photography)

Sugar Kings first to move on in GOJHL postseason

The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs are in full swing, and one local team has already punched its ticket to the second round. The first-place Elmira Sugar Kings predictably disposed of the eighth seed Brantford Bandits in four straight games, outscoring them 25-7 in the process. Jeremey Goodwin scored 10 points in the four contests, leading the way for a high-flying Sugar Kings offence. Elmira awaits its next opponent, which will be one of Stratford, Listowel, Waterloo or Brampton. 

The Waterloo Siskins have been the conference's biggest surpise, leading the Cambridge Redhawks two games to one after rallying for back-to-back overtime wins after dropping Game 1, 6-3 in Cambridge. Both games finished 3-2 for Waterloo, as Tyson Hillier ended Game 2 on a powerplay in Waterloo on Sunday afternoon, and Josh Gill put home the OT winner on Tuesday night in Game 3 on a shot from the point. Game 4 goes on Thursday night in Waterloo.

The second-seeded Kitchener Dutchmen currently lead the Brampton Bombers 3-1 in their series, winning the first two games before being beaten at home in Game 3, but returning to the win column in Brampton in Game 4. Dutchies captain Sean Kawalec leads the GOJHL in postseason goals with seven, adding to his total of 47 in the regular season. Kitchener can close out the series in Game 5 tonight at 8 pm at Kinsmen Arena.

The four-five series features the Stratford Warriors and the Listowel Cyclones, with the fourth-place Warriors leading 2-1. The Cyclones took Game 1 on the road, 5-2, but the Warriors stole back home ice advantage by winning Game 2 convincingly, 5-1. Stratford kept that momentum going to take the series lead on Sunday at home, winning 6-1. The Warriors have enjoyed a balanced attack, scoring 13 goals in three games but having no player above four points in the series. Listowel will need to fulfill its defensive potential and find timely scoring to climb back into this series. Game 4 is tonight at 7:30 pm at Steve Kerr Arena in Listowel.