LNAH Playoff Scenarios: 1 Weekend Out

We’re down to the final weekend of the LNAH regular season. Several positions are locked up, including the #1 and #8, but the majority are still in play, including three with home ice for the first round. If the LNAH playoffs started today, the following scenarios would apply. 

Laval (1) vs Riviere-du-Loup (8): There’s no more “potential” with this one. After the Petroliers locked up the number one spot last weekend, the 3L were ensured a last place finish with an overtime loss to Jonquiere Saturday night. 

Saint-Georges (2) vs Quebec (7): The rematch of last season’s epic upset is getting closer to reality. While Saint-Georges could still wind up in a tie breaker scenario for #2, Quebec is assured the #7 spot following Jonquiere’s OT win over Riviere-du-Loup.

Saint-Hyacinthe (3) vs Jonquiere (6): This matchup can change from either end. The Bataillon hung an OT loss on the red-hot Eperviers while the Marquis were less than impressive in a home and home set against the 3L. Still, Saint-Hyacinthe has the potential to lose home ice during the final weekend, so the pressure’s on. 

Sorel-Tracy (4) vs Thetford (5): The scenario changes here are many, but these two teams could wind up providing the best matchup of the first round. It could also be a race to the #4 (and home ice) position between the two. The Eperviers have a game in hand, which could be the difference maker. 

1 weekend out, the case for: Thetford

The Assurancia currently sit in the #4 position, two  points behind Saint-Hyacinthe, and are one of the teams who will battle for home ice during the final weekend. 

The Assurancia can make their case for taking home the Gilles-Rousseau Cup starting with the guy behind the bench. What else do we need to say when the team is led by the winningest coach in league history. Bobby Baril can also lay claim to championship history with cups in 2012, ‘14, ‘22 and ‘24. Baril is a proven winner. 

The team can also rely on solid goal tending. Since joining the league in 2019 Etienne Marcoux has been a model of consistency between the pipes. His current 2.80 Goals Against Average is by far the best in the league, while his Save Percentage is a razor thin 0.06 away from the top spot.  

Finally, defense. If the saying “offense wins games but defense wins championships” is true, the Assurancia are in great shape. The team has scoring potential thanks to Pierre-Maxime Poudrier and Alex Goulet, but as a team, the spotlight is on the defense. Thetford can boast the second highest goal differential at +21, despite recording a middle of the pack goal total. The difference maker is a stingy league low goals against. It’s part Marcoux, but also part team. The Assurancia are a lockdown team. 

Up next: the bracket!