MARKHAM, ON - FEB 16, 2018: Ontario Junior Hockey League game between the Markham Royals and Orangeville Flyers. Bain Cunningham #91 of the Markham Royals celebrates the goal with teammates during the first period.

Written By Rino Mattucci     Photo by Shawn Muir / OJHL Images

MAR 01, 2018 - The Battle of York Region begins tonight with Game 1 between the Markham Royals and the Newmarket Hurricanes. Over the regular season the two teams faced four times, Newmarket won three of those games, but each time it was a tightly contested match-up. With the regular season in books, each team in the postseason begins with stat lines that all read zero, but it is important to look back at some of the numbers the teams compiled.

For example, of the 8 teams in the North-East playoffs the Hurricanes scored the second fewest goals during the regular season (178), however they were third in the entire League in goals against (112), meaning they finished with a goal differential of +66. On the flip side the Royals scored the 4th most goals (199) but also allowed the third most (195) to finish with a goal differential of +4.

The more interesting item to watch in this series though will be how the Hurricanes take advantage of their home ice, they had a strong showing at the Ray Twinney Rinks over the regular season (19-5-2-1 record). With the excitement of Hometown Hockey in Markham over the weekend and the Royals proudly taking part in such a big event, the Hurricanes get 3 of the first 4 games of the series in their home barn. Meaning the Royals will have Games 5 and 7 (if necessary) at the Markham Centennial Centre, thanks to the hard work and back-flips by the City of Markham. With all the excitement surrounding the Royals, they're pumped and feel they have a chance to take all the Home ice advantage away from the Hurricanes in Game 1.

Game 1 will go at 7:30pm at the Ray Twinney arena, while Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm.