By: Chris McLachlin, OHA Media
Photos: Spencer Smye Photogaphy & Censational Photography

SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Tavistock Braves (29-6-2-3) vs Glanbrook Rangers (38-3-0-1)

The 2018 PJHL South Conference Championship features two new teams this year as the Tavistock Braves knocked out the two-time defending Schmalz Cup Champion Ayr Centennials in seven games in the Doherty Division Championship and the Glanbrook Rangers ended the long-time reign of the Grimsby Peach Kings in the Bloomfield Division Championship. This series gets underway on Wednesday, March 21 at 7:30 PM at the Tavistock & District Recreation Centre. The winner of the South Championship advances to the OHA Schmalz Cup Semifinals against the Champions from the West Conference between the Lakeshore Canadiens and the Lambeth Lancers.

This is Tavistock’s first venture into the PJHL Conference Championships /Schmalz Cup Quarterfinals. The last time the Glanbrook Rangers reached the Schmalz Cup Quarterfinals was 1999 when they won their third straight OHA Schmalz Cup.

Tavistock Braves
The Tavistock Braves had their best-ever season in Jr. C in the 2017-18 PJHL Regular season with a record of 29-6-2-3, finishing in second place in the Doherty Division, just three points behind the Ayr Centennials. The Braves were the second highest scoring team in the Division (11th overall in the PJHL), scoring an average of 5.38 goals per game. Defensively, the Braves were the third best in the Division (19th overall in the PJHL), with a goals against average of 2.88. Overall Tavistock is a sound team that plays well at both ends of the rink.

The Braves are led by Doherty Division MVP Josh Borys who compiled 68 points (35G, 33A) in 40 games during the regular season, 13 of his goals were scored on the powerplay. This isn’t a one-man team however, as four other players scored over 20 goals on the season, including: Angus Rowland (23), Cole Corriveau (22), Jake Wiffen (21) and Zac Berg (21). Defenceman Oliver Brody quarterbacks the powerplay and was second to only Borys with 21 powerplay points and totalled 31 points (9G, 22A) in 40 games in the regular season. During the playoffs it’s been Berg leading the way with 16 points in 16 games as Borys missed four games, but is also averaging one point per game.

Tavistock is solid in net with Jensen Van Boekel in his second full year with the Braves. During the regular season Van Boekel was 21-5-0 with 2 shutouts and a 2.79 GAA and .908 SV%. Through 16 playoff games Van Boekel’s play has been just as steady and impressive with a record of 12-4 and a GAA of 2.91 and .911 SV%. 

One of the reasons for Tavistock’s success this year has been their play on special teams. In the regular season the Braves’ powerplay was one of the best in the PJHL, connecting on a rate of 28.0%, which was 3rd overall and best in the Doherty Division. In the playoffs their powerplay is working at an efficiency of 22.7% which is still in the top 10. Their penalty kill was also one of the best in the PJHL, finishing the season at 89.6% which was 4th overall out of 63 teams. In the playoffs their penalty killing has dropped to 80.5% as they have faced stiffer competition each round. 

Glanbrook Rangers
The Glanbrook Rangers had another extremely successful season, finishing in first place in the Bloomfield Division with a record of 38-3-0-1, and they were finally able to get past the Grimsby Peach Kings in the Division Championship. The Rangers are one of the offensive powerhouses of the PJHL, scoring 283 goals in 42 games for an average of 6.74 goals per game, 3rd overall in the entire PJHL. The Rangers are not a one-dimensional team however as they had the second lowest goals against average in their division of 2.64, which was 15th best in the PJHL. The Rangers prefer to beat teams with their offense but have the defensive chops to clamp down and keep the other team off the scoreboard as well.

Up front the Rangers’ offense is led by veteran forward Connor Maitz who led the Bloomfield Division with 79 points (31G, 48A) in 38 games in the regular season; over two points per game. Maitz’s 31 goals led the way, but the team had six other players score over 20 goals: Mathew Rimac (25), Garnet Batrynchuk (23), Brad Parish (26), Keaton Kewley (27), Noah Matteson (23) and Domenic Procopio (24). The team’s third leading scorer was defenceman Josh Pace who leads the attack from the blue line where he had 53 points (9G, 44A) in 36 games. In 15 playoff games it’s been Rimac leading the way with 22 points.

Between the pipes the Rangers have two very strong options as veteran Daniel Kocsis was 21-3-0 with a 2.94 GAA and .898 SV% in the regular season while rookie netminder Mitchell Robinson was even better at 17-1-0 with 4 shutouts and a2.06 GAA and .921 SV%. Kocsis has carried the load in the playoffs, playing 12 of the 15 games with a record of 9-3-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .906 SV%, and Robinson has been great in his chances, going 3-0 with 1 shutout and a1.67 GAA and .921 SV%.

Glanbrook’s powerplay in the regular season was almost unstoppable, especially at home where they clicked on the powerplay at an astonishing 43.2%. They were also 29.9% on the road and 36.5% overall; all best in the PJHL. The powerplay has dropped to 22.7% in the playoffs, but that is still 7th best overall. Their penalty killing was not as dominant as their powerplay, but they were still 23rd overall at 84.1% in the regular season and so far during the playoffs they are at 83.9%, 20th overall.

THE TALE OF THE TAPE

HOW THEY GOT HERE
Tavistock:
- beat the New Hamburg Firebirds in 5 games in the Doherty Division Quarterfinals
- beat the Woodstock Navy Vets in 4 games in the Doherty Division Semifinals
- beat the Ayr Centennials in 7 games in the Doherty Division Finals

Glanbrook:
- beat the Simcoe Storm in 4 games in the Bloomfield Division Quarterfinals
- beat the Dundas Blues in 4 games in the Bloomfield Division Semifinals
- beat the Grimsby Peach Kings in 7 games in the Bloomfield Division Finals

LEADING PLAYOFF SCORERS
Tavistock: 
1. Zac Berg 16 PTS (8G, 8A) 
2. Jake Wiffen 15 PTS (6G, 9A) 
3. Cole Corriveau 15 PTS (4G, 11A)

Glanbrook: 
1. Mathew Rimac 22 PTS (8G, 14A)
2. Noah Matteson 19 PTS (8G, 11A)
3. Connor King 17 PTS (3G, 14A)

GOALTENDERS:
Tavistock: 
Jensen Van Boekel (16 GP, 12-4, 2.91 GAA, . 911 SV%)

Glanbrook: 
Daniel Kocsis (12 GP, 9-3, 2.42 GAA, .906 SV%)
Mitchell Robinson (3 GP, 3-0, 1.67 GAA, .921 SV%)

STATS
Tavistock: (Regular Season | Playoffs)
Glanbrook: (Regular Season | Playoffs)

Click here to view the PJHL South Conference Playoffs Brackets

2018 PJHL SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE:
Game 1: Wed. Mar. 21 at 7:30 PM @ Tavistock
Game 2: Thu. Mar. 22 at 8:00 PM @ Glanbrook
Game 3: Sun. Mar. 25 at 1:30 PM @ Tavistock
Game 4: Wed. Mar. 28 at 7:30 PM @ Glanbrook
*Game 5: Fri. Mar. 30 at 7:30 PM @ Tavistock
*Game 6: Sat. Mar. 31 at 3:00 PM @ Glanbrook
*Game 7: Sun. Apr. 1 at 3:00 PM @ Tavistock
(* if necessary)

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