When the Blenheim Blades were eliminated from their best-of-seven
Provincial Junior Hockey League Stobbs Division quarter-final playoff
series by the Mooretown Flags March 16 most fans thought that was
it for the Blades for 2021-22.
However, it was announced Saturday that the PJHL has invited teams
that either did not make the playoffs, or were eliminated in the first
round, to take part in a new Tier 2 playoff format.
In the Stobbs Division those teams were the Blades, the
Amherstburg Admirals, the Petrolia Flyers, the Wallaceburg
Thunderhawks and the Dresden Kings.
Teams that wanted in – the Blades, Flyers and Kings – told the PJHL
Saturday that they would take part as did teams from other PJHL
divisions. Sone clubs decided not to take part, while others could not
because of lack of ice as of April 1.
The format for the Blades, Flyers and Kings will be a three-team,
double round-robin, with each team playing the other at home and
away.
Once that is complete, the two top clubs in the round-robin will
meet in a best-of-seven series with the team that finished higher
during the regular season getting the extra home game.
That would be the Blades should they make the Stobbs Division Tier
2 final set.
In the round-robin the three teams will get their regular home
nights with Blenheim visiting Dresden Friday, and Petrolia coming to
Blenheim Sunday at 7 p.m.
The Blades will go to Petrolia Thursday, March 31 and host the Kings
Sunday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Stay tuned for updates as they happen.