The stage is set for an exciting North Conference Final in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) as the Hanover Barons face off against the Orillia Terriers. Both teams are coming off impressive playoff performances, but Orillia’s stunning upset of the Alliston Hornets has added an element of unpredictability to the matchup.
Orillia, who were considered underdogs, shocked almost everyone by eliminating the top-seeded Hornets in just five games. Captain Dylan Palomaki played a pivotal role, scoring a hat trick, including the overtime winner in Game 5, to propel the Terriers to the Carruthers Division crown.
Hanover, fresh off a 4-1 series win in the Pollock Division Final over the Fergus Whalers, is preparing for a tough battle. Barons' GM Peter Irwin acknowledged the challenge, saying, "Orillia just beat a very, very good hockey team, so we’re going to have to be very ready."
Irwin also highlighted the depth of his own team, noting that their success this season has come from improved depth across all positions. "Our depth is really going to keep us in the game. We’re much deeper on defense, we’re deeper up front, and we’ve got four solid lines," he said. "Of course, we’ll rely on our top guns, but I think depth is going to be key."
The Barons are also well-equipped to handle Orillia’s high-powered offense, with standouts like Mark McIntosh and Sam Barrett leading the charge. McIntosh, a Centennial Cup champion with the Collingwood Blues in 2024, is a key asset in both ends of the ice.
Irwin pointed out that his team has faced strong competition throughout the season, particularly from Kincardine and Fergus, which should help them prepare for the intensity of the North Conference Final. "The Pollock Division is a tough division to win, and we’re confident in what we’ve learned from those tough battles," he said.
On the other side, Orillia’s GM Dallyn Telford was proud of his team’s performance in the upset over Alliston. "The biggest thing is our belief in ourselves. We went into the series knowing all the pressure was on Alliston." said Telford. "Our guys played hard, outworked them in every area, and stayed disciplined. Our goalkeeping was outstanding, and we scored timely goals, which helped us take down one of the top teams in the league."
The Terriers will certainly have their hands full with the Barons’ depth and experience, but Telford’s confidence in his team remains high. "We’ve got a fast, skilled team, and we’ll rely on that as we head into this series," he said. "We know it’s going to be a tough matchup, but we’ve been underdogs before, and we’re ready to fight for it." One area to watch closely is special teams. Both teams boast potent power plays, with Hanover’s aggressive, high-pressure strategy a key part of their offensive game plan. "We’re aware of how dangerous their power play is," Telford acknowledged. "Our penalty kill is going to have to be sharp, and discipline will be critical."
The broadcast for Game 1 on AM 920 CKNX begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 with OHA This Week, with puck-drop to follow at 8 p.m.