"The Battle of Huron County" will get underway this weekend in the Western Ontario Athletic Association's playoff championship.
The Clinton Radars (8-5-0, 16 PTS) meet the Seaforth Centenaires (10-3-0, 20 PTS) in the league's AA championship final, with Clinton looking to become the first five-time defending champion ever in the WOAA.
List of WOAA teams to win Senior Championship in three consecutive seasons: Clinton Radars (2019, 2018, 2017) Mapleton-Minto 81's (2016, 2015, 2014) Saugeen Shores Winterhawks (2013, 2012, 2011) Durham Thundercats (1998, 1997, 1996) Durham Thundercats (1994, 1993, 1992) Mount Forest Rams (1978, 1977, 1976) Milverton Four Wheel Drives (1973, 1972, 1971)
Both teams enter the final following 4-1 series victories over their opponents in the semi-finals. Clinton sealed the deal over the top-seeded Ripley Wolves on Saturday, March 12th with a 5-1 win on the road, while Seaforth beat a tough Tavistock team, edging the 5th-seeded Royals in Game 5 by a score of 2-1.
Ripley is the first #1 seed to not play in the AA Championship Series since the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks in 2016-17. Seaforth enters the series as the #2 seed, while Clinton enters as seed #6.
The Radars have won four consecutive championships dating back to the 2015-16 season, and were up three games to one against the Tillsonburg Thunder in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the league's AA playoffs in the Semi-Finals.
The Centenaires are looking for Seaforth's first WOAA Championship final victory since 1970, which was won during the league's "Middle Intermediate" era, prior to the league promoting itself to the Intermediate-A level in 1977.
In the consolation A championship, the Petrolia Squires will be taking on the Shallow Lake Crushers. Game 1 was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 12th but was cancelled due to inclement weather.
AA Championship Schedule: Game 1 Saturday March 19 7:30pm Seaforth Game 2 Friday March 25 8:30pm Clinton Game 3 Saturday March 26 7:30pm Seaforth Game 4 Friday April 1 8:30pm Clinton Game 5* Saturday April 2 7:30pm Seaforth Game 6* Friday April 8 8:30pm Clinton Game 7* Saturday April 9 7:30pm Seaforth * - if necessary
A Championship Schedule: Game 1 Friday March 18 8:30pm Petrolia Game 2 Saturday March 19 7:00pm Shallow Lake Game 3 Saturday March 26 7:30pm Petrolia Game 4 Sunday March 27 4:30pm Shallow Lake Game 5* Saturday April 2 7:30pm Petrolia Game 6* Sunday April 3 4:30pm Shallow Lake Game 7* Saturday April 9 7:30pm Petrolia * - if necessary
