I’m hard pressed to remember the last time the Ontario Hockey League Championship was decided before the Ontario Junior C Championship was determined.
Such is the case in 2010, as the Windsor Spitfires won their second straight Robertson Cup, dispatching the Barrie Colts in 4 straight, taking the final game Tuesday night.
As for the Clarence ” Tubby ” Schmalz Cup, it will be in Alliston tonight, but there’s little to guarantee it will be presented this evening.
The Alliston Hornets lead the Ontario Junior C Final, 3 games to 2 over the Belle River Canadiens.
However, the road team has won all 5 games in the series to this point, and if Belle River wins on the road tonight, it sends the series back to Belle River for a 7th and deciding game on Sunday afternoon.
It’s been that kind of a playoff in Junior C, where unlike the OHL, the path to and through the final have varied wildly.
By my count, the Georgian MidOntario Junior C Champion Hornets have lost 12 playoff games, 6 of which have been on home ice.
Compared to the OHL where Windsor lost 3 times, twice at home, it’s really remarkable that Alliston is in the position they are, poised to take the title tonight.
Or Sunday.
Have a good weekend.
I’m Fred Wallace