When the winner of the Western Junior C playoffs moves on to the Clarence Schmalz Cup quarterfinals, it may once again be the Alliston Hornets waiting for them.
The two time provincial champions head into the Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario League playoffs in first spot. This is the seventh time in ten years that the Hornets have finished first place in the league stretching from Fergus to Huntsville.
Coach Clay Birkett says that winning history is what has allowed them to stay at the top.
"We have a big drawing area but winning attracts people." Birkett said, adding that the amenities are also there for the players that choose to wear a Hornet on their chest. "We have a state of the art arena and I would put our dressing room up against the best in Junior 'A'.
This year's team has combined a potent offense with a defensive system. Birkett says combined with two strong goaltenders, they are tough to break down.
"Our goals against are just over two per game, we also have 23 healthy players at our disposal right now."
What makes the Hornets even more dangerous is their success against the Western Junior C league, particularly the Walkerton Hawks. For six straight years starting in 2008, The Hornets beat the Hawks in the quarter finals. Despite that success the team is cautiously watching the performance of their western rival, should both teams have successful playoff runs in their own league.
Like in the West, where Wingham and Walkerton rule the roost, Alliston faces stiff competition from second placed Stayner. Only a few points separate the Siskins from the top of the league. Birkett says the those top two teams are likely going to find themselves in the GMOHL finals.
"There is a lot of parity in the league this season but there is a bit of a gap behind the top two." He said, "If we make it to the finals I would predict the other team would be Stayner."
As for players to watch on the Hornets, forward Nic Archibald is running away with the scoring title. He has 25 goals and 48 assists for 73 points in 39 games this season.
Being the best on paper doesn't hold much weight until it is backed up on the ice, Birkett says if they play their game the results will take care of itself.
"We just need to stay within ourselves, play our game and continue to be disciplined."
Alliston wraps up their season on Friday night against Stayner. From there it is playoff time and teams from the west can only wait and see if it is the dangerous Hornets that await them in the next round.