By Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com
The 2024 NCDC Dineen Cup Playoffs will begin on Friday, March 22, with a pair of single elimination showdowns, one in each of the New England and Atlantic Divisions, considered the Play-In Games.
The winners of each of these games will face the No. 1 seed in each division beginning on March 27 (New England) and March 28 (Atlantic).
For the New England Division, the Boston Junior Bruins will host the Northern Cyclones on Friday in the single Play-In game. One team will see their season end.
During the season, the Northern Cyclones went 4-2-1-1 for the head-to-head series, while the Junior Bruins went 4-4-0-0. Overall this year, the Junior Bruins finished 25-23-3-1, while the Cyclones were 17-26-6-3.
“This year, we have had some really good games with each other. We have both beaten each other this year and think Friday’s game is going to be a classic,” said Northern Cyclones GM Bill Weiand. “We are preparing our guys to play with urgency and desperation in our win or go home game against the Bruins. We are looking forward to a great battle against the Bruins.”
“The season series was split right down the middle but I think since the last time we met both teams have grown and developed a ton. My group has been in the playoff mindset since late January and I would have to assume the same for the Cyclones,” added Junior Bruins Head Coach Nevin Hamilton. “Friday’s game will feature two very hungry teams and we need to capitalize on every turnover.”
Hamilton, whose team clinched fourth place and the right to host the play-in game, sees Friday’s game as absolutely a tough challenge that lives up to the “win-or-go-home” drama of the game.
“We must make sure that with every play we gain momentum and create doubt in their minds from the opening draw,” he said. “Our defense needs to be ready to make the simple plays against the hard forechecking Cyclones and our forwards need to use their speed and play a little more fast and loose. We don’t need to look for the perfect play at all times, puck possession will be important for both clubs.”
Coleman Jenkins finished as the Junior Bruins’ team leader with 51 points in 50 games, followed by former Junior Bruin Premier player Jake Terra’s 49 points in 51 games. Svante Strandberg, a later arrival on defense, finished with 23 points in 28 games. Griffin Davis went 9-3-1-3 on the season this year in net, while fellow goaltender Jonathan Olson finishes 7-6-1-0.
Leaders for the Cyclones this year included ‘06 Charlie Zetterqvist (43 points), Ian Duffy (41 points) and Michael Markowski (38 points). Thierry Lizotte and Charlie Ross each came out with 22 points on the season, while in net, Paul Dalessio and Logan Abric each finished with eight wins. Abric recently broke the NCDC record for most saves in a shutout with 58 against Twin City on March 9. They finished with a combined save percentage of .920.
