Conference semi-finals underway in Ontario Junior B playoffs

By ROD MAWHOOD

The Elite 8, if you will, is underway in Ontario Jr. B Lacrosse playoff action.

The final four in the West pits top seeded Six Nations against fourth seeded St. Catharines beginning Friday night on Six Nations, while number two Orangeville and third ranked Guelph sees the Regals already up 1-0 with an 8-6 Game 1 victory.

In the East, number one Akwesasne is taking on fifth seeded Nepean, and second ranked Halton Hills meeting third seeded Kahnawake who's Owen Rice leads all playoff scorers with 27 points in four games.

As for the goaltenders, for those who have appeared in more than one postseason game, Halton Hills Connor Upshall sports a 4.33 goals against average, while the Thunder's Trennance Benedict is tops with a .933 save-percentage.

Onto special teams, where Akwesasne features the playoffs best power play thus far, clicking at 44.4 percent. Orangeville's penalty kill is tops at 95-percent.

Catch Ontario Jr. B playoff action at an arena near you.