March 17, 2024
Thunder Bay, Ontario
The 22nd SIJHL regular season is now in the books, and all eight member clubs are set to enter the playoffs which will open up on three fronts on Friday March 22nd. The fourth quarterfinal match will begin on Saturday March 23.
This will be the first time in league history that a quarterfinal round will feature four best-of-seven series happening simultaneously.
Last year’s Bill Salonen Cup champion Kam River Fighting Walleye are looking for a repeat performance, following their second SIJHL regular-season title in as many years. They’ve secured the number one seed and home ice advantage through the duration of their playoff run, and will host the expansion Kenora Islanders in game 1, Friday March 22nd at Norwest Arena.
With an impressive sophomore season, the Sioux Lookout Bombers improved on last season’s third-place finish to secure the number two seed in the playoffs. They’ll be looking for their first taste of playoff success after falling in overtime in an exciting game-7 thriller to Wisconsin in last year’s quarterfinal round. They’ll take on the 7th-seed Fort Frances Lakers who sent notice of their capability to pull off an upset a couple of weeks ago, besting Sioux Lookout 3-1 at Ice for Kids Arena on March 8.
The afore-mentioned Wisconsin Lumberjacks, the 6th-seed and authors of last season’s playoff upset over the Bombers, will be looking for more of the same when they make their way to the Fort William Gardens on Friday to take on the Thunder Bay North Stars. The North Stars registered points at a near .700 clip this season, besting last year’s .565 result and with it, earning the #3 seed. The Thunder Bay side is looking to improve it’s playoff performance of last season by achieving one more win, which is the only thing that stood in the way of a championship in last year’s thrilling 7-game league final against Kam River.
The 4 – 5 series has all the makings of spring classic on paper. Dryden GM Ice Dogs secured the higher seed on the second-last game of the regular season, and there was little separating them and the Red Lake Miners. The Miners are looking to regain their championship form of the 2022 playoffs following a quarterfinal exit at the hands of Thunder Bay last season. Dryden, also edged by Thunder Bay in a thrilling game 7 in last year’s semifinals, are looking for a deep run this season.
Quarterfinal series winners will advance to the semifinals, where the teams will be re-seeded.
The 2024 Bill Salonen Cup Champions will earn entry into the CJHL Centennial Cup National Junior A Hockey Championships taking place in Oakville, ON beginning Thursday May 9.
The full SIJHL quarterfinal schedule is still being finalized, but opening games are now posted on sijhlhockey.com.