I’m not a Meaford hockey historian, but I think anyone would be hard pressed to cite a junior hockey game with greater significance than the one at the Castle of Pain tonight.
The Knights of Meaford will host the Halton Ravens in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League.
Yes, it’s a regular season game and true, it will have position ramifications in the long term.
But in the short term, the game tonight purely and simply determines if the Knights will qualify for the College Classic Showcase Tournament next month in Toronto.
The qualification process essentially is the top 10 teams after 20 games earn a berth in the Showcase.
Meaford will play their 20th game tonight and IF they win, they’re in. It’s that simple.
If they lose in regulation. If they lose in overtime. If they lose in a shootout…they’re OUT.
The significance of making the Showcase is multi-levelled.
It’s good for the players to make an impression on a variety of scouts.
It’s great for the Knights to be considered among the top 10 in the league.
And, this being their first year of operation, it would be a major statement in the present and a definite recruiting tool in the long term for the Meaford club if they get to the College Classic in Year 1.
The only thing in the way is Halton, who lost 9-8 to Meaford on the first weekend of play.
Game time tonight for the Ravens & Knights, 7:30 at the Meaford & St Vincent Community Centre.
I’m Fred Wallace