By: OHA Media
Photo: Laurie Beaten, Essex 73’s

In a rematch of last year’s Stobbs Division Championship Series, the Lakeshore Canadiens and Essex 73’s will battle once again for the chance to advance to the West Conference Championship against the Yeck Division Champion. Last year the Essex 73’s claimed their sixth straight Division/League Championship by beating the Canadiens in four games. The Canadiens are eager to avenge last season’s loss to the 73’s in the Championship series and win their first Stobbs Division Championship (formerly Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League) since 2011 and end the 73’s Championship streak.

Let’s take a look at how these two teams matched up this year.

Click here to view the full PJHL West Conference Playoff Bracket.

(1) Lakeshore Canadiens (27-8-2-3) vs (3) Essex 73’s (26-11-0-3)
Lakeshore won the season series 3-2
     09/24/17    Lakeshore 5 at Essex 3     
     10/13/17    Essex 2 at Lakeshore 4     
     11/14/17    Lakeshore 0 at Essex 3     
     12/08/17    Essex 2 at Lakeshore 3 OT  
     01/23/18    Lakeshore 2 at Essex 3    

Leading Scorers (head-to-head)
Lakeshore: Brandon Ireland 5 PTS (1G, 4A) - 5 GP
Essex: William Stadder 6 PTS (1G, 5A) - 5 GP

Leading Scorers (regular season)
Lakeshore: Kyler Carter 42 PTS (22G, 20A) - 38 GP
Essex: William Stadder 46 PTS (24G, 22A) - 37 GP

Top Goaltender (head-to-head)
Lakeshore: Erik Morneau (2 GP 2-0-0, 1.98 GAA, .923 SV%)
Essex: Tyler Ryan (4 GP, 1-3-0, 1 SO, 2.74 GAA, .902 SV%)

Top Goaltender (regular season)
Lakeshore: Erik Morneau (23 GP, 17-5-1, 3 SO, 2.14 GAA, .914 SV%)
Essex: Jax D’hondt (20 GP, 16-4-0, 4 SO, 1.57 GAA, .934 SV%)

Special Teams (head-to-head)
Lakeshore: PP - 20.0%, PK - 76.2%
Essex: PP - 23.8%, PK - 80.0%

Special Teams (regular season)
Lakeshore: PP - 19.6%, PK - 82.7%
Essex: PP - 20.6%, PK - 90.3%

HOW THEY GOT HERE
Quarterfinals: 
Lakeshore: beat Blenheim 4 games to 0
Essex: beat Petrolia 4 games to 0

Semifinals:
Lakeshore: beat Mooretown 4 games to 0
Essex: beat Dresden 4 games to 2

Click here to download the complete head-to-head comparison (PDF)
Lakeshore stats (Regular Season | Playoffs)
Essex stats (Regular Season | Playoffs)

PJHL STOBBS DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE
Game 1: Sun. Mar. 4 at 7:30 PM - Essex at Lakeshore
Game 2: Tue. Mar. 6 at 7:00 PM - Lakeshore at Essex
Game 3: Fri. Mar. 9 at 8:00 PM - Essex at Lakeshore
Game 4: Sun. Mar. 11 at 3:00 PM - Lakeshore at Essex
*Game 5: Tue. Mar. 13 at 7:30 PM - Essex at Lakeshore
*Game 6: Thu. Mar. 15 at 7:00 PM - Lakeshore at Essex
*Game 7: Fri. Mar. 16 at 7:00 PM - Essex at Lakeshore
(*if necessary)

www.pjhlontario.ca