The Thunder Bay North Stars will begin their bid for the Superior International?Junior Hockey League title at home on Saturday.
The Stars, who won two of three on the road against Dryden to finish off the season, wound up second in the standings and will take on top-ranked Fort Frances in a one-versus-two, two-game total-goal showdown.
The winner of the series earns the right to choose their semifinal opponent.
Game 1 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Fort William Gardens.
Game 2 goes next Friday at Ice For Kids Arena in Fort Frances.
Should the two teams be tied after the second game, it will be solved in either overtime or a shootout.
In the quarterfinal round, the No. 3 Minnesota Iron Rangers will take on No. 6 Wisconsin, while No. 4 English River will play Dryden in best-of-seven affairs.
In other SIJHL, league officials announced its award finalists last week.
Thunder?Bay’s Daniel Delpaggio is up for MVP and rookie of the year, while North Stars netminder Eric Mann is in the hunt for top goaltender.
Teammate Trevor Hynnes is one of three in the hunt for best defensive forward, while Matthias Gardiman is a finalist for the league’s most sportsmanlike award.
North Stars forward Zach Grzelewski is being considered for the most improved player trophy, while coach Jeremy Adduono is battling for coach-of-the-year honours.
Here's a complete list of the SIJHL award nominees:
Pizza Hut Player of the Year/Most Valuable Player
John Morales, (F) English River Miners
Lucas Debenedet, (F) Fort Frances Lakers
Daniel Del Paggio, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
CCM Rookie of the Year
Lucas Debenedet, (F) Fort Frances Lakers
Jason Reynolds, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers
Daniel Del Paggio, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Gongshow Gear Best Defenceman
Cody Wickstrom, Fort Frances Lakers
Austin Frank, Minnesota Iron Rangers
Tim Cavar, Thunder Bay North Stars
Top Goaltender
Jordan Cartney, Fort Frances Lakers
Alex Reichle, Minnesota Iron Rangers
Eric Mann, Thunder Bay North Stars
Best Defensive Forward
Lyndon Lipinski, Fort Frances Lakers
Jonathon Losurdo, Minnesota Iron Rangers
Trevor Hynnes, Thunder Bay North Stars
Most Sportsmanlike Player
Jonathon Losurdo, (F) Minnesota Iron Rangers
Matthias Gardiman, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Sawyer Jacobson, (D) Wisconsin Wilderness
Most Improved Player
Chris Sitco, (F) Dryden Ice Dogs
Mason Meyer, (F) Fort Frances Lakers
Zach Grzelewski, (F) Thunder Bay North Stars
Coach of the Year
Wayne Strachan, Fort Frances Lakers
Kevin Kahoot, English River Miners
Jeremy Adduono, Thunder Bay North Stars
