The Central Canada Hockey League’s (CCHL) regular season has ended on a high note for the Kemptville 73s.
For the first time in five years, the 73s have guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs. The team won 29 of its 55 games this season, posting the fifth best record in the league.
The team’s first round opponent will be either the Renfrew Wolves or the Brockville Braves, who both play their last game of the season tomorrow.
73s head coach Jason York says, of the two teams, he’d prefer to face Brockville.
“If I was going to pick one,” he says, “it would have nothing to do with whether I think we can win or not. It would have more to do with rivalries, and I think if you look at it that way, Brockville and us would be good.”
One of the teams’ defensemen, Johnny Howie, has also been named the league’s Player of the Month for March.
Howie, who the team acquired via trade this summer, averaged 1.2 points per game across 14 matches last month.
York says he’s proud of the young defenseman’s progress this year.
“I’ve known Johnny since back when he was a little kid and played novice hockey,” he says. “Johnny is just a great guy, a great person, great family, and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
The team’s first playoff game is on April 14th, but the 73s don’t return to their home arena until the 17th.