Devyn Oprana carries the puck for the Cambridge Redhawks on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy of Censational Photography)

Parity continues to elude GOJHL's Midwest Conference 

As the midway point of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season comes and goes, home ice in the first round of the playoffs is seemingly already a known commodity. With four teams bunched at the top half of the standings, the remaining bottom four already all look bound to begin the playoffs on the road.

The Conference's power structure became more clear over the weekend, as Listowel, Waterloo, Stratford and Elmira continued to distance themselves from Kitchener, Cambridge, Brantford and Brampton. With the Midwest being reduced to eight teams this year, every team will qualify for the playoffs, so none of the bottom four are in danger of not playing into March.

The Listowel Cyclones, still perched atop the Midwest, recovered from a two-goal deficit at home on Friday night against the Cambridge Redhawks to salvage a single point, losing 4-3 in overtime. On Sunday, the Cycs put up five goals against Elmira, but couldn't contain the Sugar Kings attack and dropped a high-scoring affair, 7-5. Holdyn Lansink had three points for Listowel while Hunter Dubecki powered Elmira with two goals and an assist. Elmira was coming off an impressive win on Saturday night in Cambridge, halting the momentum from the Redhawks' Friday night victory with a 5-0 drubbing. 

Second-place Stratford hosted the Kitchener Dutchmen on Friday night, and the teams played to a 2-2 tie. The game was tight all the way through, thanks in large part to 38 saves from Warriors goalie Zack Weir. Kole Scott assisted on both Kitchener goals. The only other game of the weekend featured the Waterloo Siskins, coming off a three-win weekend last weekend, hosting the Brantford 99ers. Waterloo poured 47 shots on goal and put the game away with six straight goals between the second and third periods, winning handly 8-3. Alex Lycett, Jeff Schrattner and Brett Schaefer combined for six Waterloo goals, tallying two each.

After the flurry of activity over the weekend, Listowel remains atop the standings with 33 points. Right behind the Cyclones are Waterloo and Stratford, tied at 32 points. Stratford has arguably been the most impressive team, as the Warriors have two games in hand over Listowel and three over Waterloo. Rounding out the top four is Elmira with 31 points, before a nine-point drop to Kitchener in fifth with 21, Cambridge with 17, Brantford with 11 and Brampton with 8. Niagara Falls continues to lead the GOJHL with 41 points and a 20-3-1 record.