For the eighth time in their history, it’ll be the Renfrew Timberwolves and Perth Blue Wings putting up swords in the Valley Division final.
The regular-season pace-setting Blue Wings turned back the Stittsville Royals 5-2 Tuesday night to settle their best-of-seven Valley Division semifinal series in five games.
Renfrew had already advanced, capping off a four-game sweep with a 5-1 decision over the Arnprior Packers Saturday evening.
In seven previous division finals, the Wolves have won four (1991, 1993, 1999 and 2000) and the Blue Wings three (1982, 1992 and 2010).
The teams have also met in numerous earlier playoff series.
Tony Iob was behind the Renfrew bench two years ago when the Wolves overcame a 2-0 games deficit to defeat Perth in the Valley semifinal, and then took Arnprior in five games to capture Renfrew’s first Valley Division crown since 2000.
He sees another good battle ahead.
“I think it’s going to be a very good series. They’re a very skilled team, and we are a skilled team as well, so it should be an exciting round of hockey,” the coach said.
The championship series schedule is as follows:
• Friday, March 1 in Perth - 8:30 p.m.;
• Sunday, March 3 in Renfrew - 7:30 p.m.;
• Wednesday, March 6 in Perth - 7:45 p.m.;
• Friday, March 8 in Renfrew - 8 p.m.;
• Sunday, March 10 in Perth - 7:45 p.m. (start time to be confirmed);
• Wednesday, March 13 in Renfrew - 8 p.m.;
• Friday, March 15 in Perth - 7:45 p.m. (start time to be confirmed).
Around the loop
The Ottawa Junior Canadians are up 3-2 in their all-city Metro Division semifinal series.
The Junior Canadians jumped into a 6-3 lead in the third period and then held off the Ottawa West Golden Knights 6-5 Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the Gatineau Mustangs continue to live dangerously.
Once down three games to nothing, it is now 3-2 after a 4-3 heartstopper over the Clarence Creek Beavers.
The winning goal came off the stick of Vincent Lauzin 2:18 into the fourth overtime.
Game 6 is tonight in Clarence Creek.
The Gananoque Islanders outlasted the Westport Rideaus in the most dramatic of fashions Tuesday night – game 7 overtime.
And if the fans of the Islanders weren’t followers of Arrowsmith before, they sure are now as Brett Arrowsmith sank the game winner 1:15 into sudden-death overtime to give Gananoque the 7-6 victory.
Gananoque was just 1:37 away from elimination when they pulled even to force the extra session.
In other Tuesday night game 7s, the Akwesasne Wolves walked into Char-Lan’s home rink and stopped the Rebels 7-2, while the Athens Aeros were the only home team to win game 7.
Athens finally finished off a game Brockville Tikis squad 4-0 at Centre 76.