Just two Thunder Bay teams left standing for the Lakehead Junior Hockey League (LJHL) championship.

Thursday night is Game One at the Tournament Centre between the Bandits and Northern Hawks.

The Northern Hawks needed five games to knock out the Schreiber Falcons in the semi-finals while the Bandits advanced with a six game victory over the Nipigon Elks.

“We really went back to the basics this year, focusing on bringing the group together and what to do in the different zones (during a game),” said Northern Hawks Head Coach Frank Macchia.

Macchia noted a similar approach is needed to play the Bandits, who lost just once in eighteen regular season games.

“We have adjustments that we are prepared to make based on out pre-scouting. That said, we are very confident in how our boys play their positions and how they react to different events on the ice,” Macchia added.

On the other side of the ice, the Bandits won all six head to head match-ups and outscored the Northern Hawks 32-15.

“Nipigon’s team is much better than their (regular season) record indicates,” indicated Bandits Head Coach Kris Reginato. “Their goalie stood on his head against us, but yeah we turned a corner and the guys started buying into the game plan and it went well for us in the end.”

When it comes to playing their city rivals, Reginato stressed, “I think we just have to stick to our game plan. The (Northern Hawks) turned around halfway through their (semi-final) and I think if we keep performing the way we were in the second half of the regular season, I believe we’ll be alright.”

The last time the trophy was handed out was on April 2, 2019 when the Hawks beat the Fighting Walleye by a score of 8-2 to win Game Five.

Acadia News also asked both men about the league expanding to five teams in 2022-2023 by adding the Current River Storm.

“We’re really excited for the players,” noted Macchia. “It means a lot more hockey for them, some good competition and it means getting more players involved. Whatever level of hockey you’re at, these boys are all the same. They enjoy the game as much as they did when they were younger and we’re just happy that there will be more teams in the league for them to play.”

Reginato concluded, “Any new competition is always welcome. I know it may be tough to find players at first but I’m sure we can make it work.”

The Remaining Schedule

Tuesday April 5th – Hawks @ Bandits
Thursday April 7th – Bandits @ Hawks
Saturday April 9th – Bandits @ Hawks
Monday April 11th – Hawks @ Bandits (if necessary)
Monday April 18th – Bandits @ Hawks (if necessary)
Friday April 22nd – Hawks @ Bandits (if necessary)