Raiders finish strong regular season, await playoff opponent

With a strong performance down the stretch, the Napanee Raiders finished second in PJHL Tod Division play, just two points behind Amherstview.

Following a 55-day COVID-19 break, the Raiders were hot as they reeled off eight straight wins and concluded the season with a pair of ties in a final weekend that saw several players and two coaches on the sidelines due to COVID-19 protocols.  Ultimately, the Raiders were 22-4-0-4 on a season that saw them only fall to the Jets, who won the season series 4-2.  The two teams have not faced off in 2022.  Napanee can also take pride in the fact they tied for second in the entire PJHL in total goals against at 57 and that they were one of just five teams across the province with a winning percentage of .800 or higher.

Statistically, Bailey Maracle had the lowest goals against average in the division.  Offensively, Ben Chubbs paced the attack in his first PJHL season with 18 goals and 10 assists for 28 points. Logan White finished two points off that pace. Six Raiders hit the goals digits in points, while 13 found the mark in points. On defence, AJ Hess was the top scorer with three goals and 15 assists for 18 points. Matt Sheehy was Napanee’s only point-per-game player with 25 in 25 games.  Soren Zamuner led in assists with 16.  Isaac Brown and Noah Westwater were the only Raiders to dress in all 30 games.

The second-place finish qualifies Napanee to receive a first-round bye in the Schmalz Cup playoffs.  They’ll await the highest-seeded remaining team after the series between Picton and Frankford, and Port Hope and Campbellford.  The Jets will face the lower-seeded team.  The next round can begin as early as Monday, March 21 and it is likely Napanee would open at home the following day, Tuesday, March 22.  Stay tuned for full scheduling details.