SUDBURY, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League released Tuesday its game schedule for the upcoming Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy Championship Series between the Soo Thunderbirds and Hearst Lumberjacks.
This best-of-seven affair will feature all 7 p.m. start times, with the exception of Game 2, which will commence at 5 p.m.
The final begins Saturday at John Rhodes Community Centre with Game 1 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and the Thunderbirds will also host Game 2 at 5 p.m. back at John Rhodes.
From there, the match-up will move to Claude Larose Arena in Hearst for Games 3 & 4 on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18.
If necessary, Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday, April 20 at John Rhodes C.C. in the Soo while the Lumberjacks would have home ice for Game 6, if needed, on Monday, April 22.
Should the series go the distance, Game 7 is slated for Wednesday, April 24 at John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
The NOJHL winner will then advance to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Jr. A Championship, April 30 – May 4, in Cochrane, Ont.
Joining the league title holder will be fellow NOJHL-side, the host Cochrane Crunch along with the champions of both the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
The OJHL Buckland Cup final features the defending Dudley-Hewitt Cup-winning Wellington Dukes taking on the Oakville Blades.
As for the SIJHL, the Thunder Bay North Stars and Red Lake Miners will vie for the Bill Salonen Cup.
Awaiting the DHC champion will be a berth in the Canadian National Jr. A event, May 11-19, in Brooks, Alta.
All games in the NOJHL final will be streamed live on HockeyTV.com.
NOJHL Final
Soo Thunderbirds vs. Hearst Lumberjacks
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Saturday, April 13 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 2: Sunday, April 14 @ Sault Ste. Marie 5 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 3: Wednesday, April 17 @ Hearst 7 p.m. (Claude Larose Arena)
Game 4: Thursday, April 18 @ Hearst 7 p.m. (Claude Larose Arena)
Game 5*: Saturday, April 20 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 6*: Monday, April 22 @ Hearst 7 p.m. (Claude Larose Arena)
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 24 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
*-if necessary
