The Listowel Cyclones head into the final weekend of the season with three games to play.
And they come in a row.
The top team in the Midwest Conference plays in Cambridge Thursday night, at home versus Cambridge Friday night then in Guelph on Saturday.
Listowel is four points ahead of Elmira and the Sugar Kings only have two games left. The only way the Cyclones will relinquish first place is if they lose all three games and Elmira wins their two remaining games. Even a tie or overtime loss in one of the next three games for Listowel will give them first place.
If the teams end up tied in points, wins is the tiebreaker and in that case Elmira would have the edge with a possible 38. But in that scenario, Listowel would have to lose all three remaining games.
It's been a marathon end to the season with six games in nine nights for the Cyclones. They won 4-1 over Brampton on February 17th, then beat Stratford 3-2 and 4-3 in back to back games on the 19th and 20th.
"I'm not going to say we are a little bit tired but I think we are doing okay," says Head Coach Jason Brooks. "Especially when you come off victories your energy is a little bit better than after losses. For the most part guys are doing okay and are looking forward and getting excited to the playoffs. "
As for the rest of the standings, there is still a lot of movement possible.
Third through fifth place is still undecided with Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo separated by just five points. The Dutchmen only have one game left and are four points ahead of Cambridge who have three left. But the Winterhawks face Listowel back to back nights Thursday and Friday.
Stratford will finish in sixth place.
As for the seven to nine spots, just three points separate Guelph, Brampton and Brantford and all have two games left. Both Brampton and Brantford can leap over Guelph if they win their remaining games and the Hurricanes lose their final two.
Here is the remaining regular season schedule for the GOJHL Midwest:
Thursday, February 23 Listowel at Cambirdge, 7:00pm Kitchener at Brantford, 7:30pm
Friday, February 24 Cambridge at Listowel, 7:30pm (on CKNX) Brantford at Stratford, 7:30pm Guelph at Brampton, 8:30pm
Saturday, February 25 Elmira at Cambridge, 7:00pm Listowel at Guelph, 7:30pm
Sunday, February 26 Stratford at Elmira, 2:00pm