This Friday the quest for the Bill Salonen Cup begins once again as the 22nd regular season of the Superior International Junior Hockey League has come to a close.
But it will be a little different than past playoffs as for the first time in the leagues history, the quarterfinal round will feature four best-of-seven series playing simultaneously.
After the final horn blast to signify the end of play this past weekend standings were:
- Kam River Fighting Walleye
- Sioux Lookout Bombers
- Thunder Bay North Stars
- Dryden GM Ice Dogs
- Red Lake Miners
- Wisconsin Lumberjacks
- Fort Frances Lakers
- Kenora Islanders
The Walleye seek to win the SIJHL’s top prize again this year following their 2023 victory against the North Stars. By finishing first in the standings once again this year they’ve scored home ice advantage and will take on the Kenora Islanders in their first ever playoff appearance in game one, Friday March 22nd at Norwest Arena.
An impressive run in its second season the Sioux Lookout Bombers have improved upon their third place finish in the 2022-2023 and have secured the number two seed. They take on the Fort Frances Lakers who bested the Bombers 3-1 just two short weeks ago. Puck drop on this series will be on Friday at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena.
Wisconsin is slated to take on the Thunder Bay North Stars, and they will have a challenge ahead of them, as the Stars bested the Lumberjacks in six of their seven games this season. The North Stars finished the 2023-2024 season at a near .700 in registered points, besting last year’s .565 result. Like the two aforementioned series, game one goes on Friday at the Fort William Gardens.
Rounding out the quarterfinal match ups will be the Dryden GM Ice Dogs and the Red Lake Miners. Last year both teams were defeated by the North Stars, but only one will be able to get a possible shot at revenge this year. Dryden Memorial arena will host these two contenders starting this Saturday.
League officials are still finalizing the full quarterfinal schedule, with games in all series locked in place up to the 29th of March.
Teams advancing from the quarterfinals will be re-seeded for the semi-finals.
The 2024 Bill Salonen Cup Champions will earn entry into the Canadian Junior Hockey League Centennial Cup National Junior A Hockey Championships taking place in Oakville, ON beginning Thursday May 9.
