NOJHL announces 2023 playoff format & timeline

SUDBURY, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday its format and timeline for the upcoming 2023 playoffs and the competition for the Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy.

Of the league’s 12-member clubs, the top four in each of its two divisions will qualify for postseason competition.

In the NOJHL East, the Timmins Rock, Hearst Lumberjacks and Powassan Voodoos have already clinched a playoff spot, as have the Greater Sudbury Cubs in the West.

Round 1 play will feature divisional semifinal action with the No. 1 seed taking on the No. 4 side and the No. 2 squad meeting No. 3 respectively in best-of-seven play from March 24 through April 4.

From there, Round 2 will feature the two division finals in a pair of best-of-seven affairs that are slated to run between April 7-18.

That will then lead to the NOJHL final where the two divisional winners will vie for the league championship.

The scheduled dates for the final range from April 21 – May 2.

Awaiting the NOJHL champion will be a berth in the Centennial Cup Canadian National Jr. A Championship, which goes May 11-21 in Portage la Prairie, Man.

The following is the NOJHL playoff format and timeline:

Round 1 (Divisional semifinals)
March 24 – April 4
Best-of-seven series

EAST

1 vs. 4
2 vs. 3

WEST
1 vs. 4
2 vs. 3

Round 2 (Divisional finals)

April 7-18
Best-of-seven-series
Divisional semifinal winners

Round 3 (Copeland Cup-McNamara Trophy NOJHL Championship Final)
April 21 – May 2
Best-of-seven series
East Division winner vs. West Division winner

NOJHL champion advances to Centennial Cup, May 11-21, in Portage la Prairie, Man.

Centennial Cup
NOJHL round robin games
Start times ET

Friday, May 12: vs. MHL 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 14: vs. LHJAAAQ 4:30 p.m.

Monday, May 15: vs. AJHL 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 17: vs. CCHL 12:30 p.m.

Playoff round

Quarter-finals
Friday, May 19

T.B.A.

Semifinals
Saturday, May 20

T.B.A.

Championship game
Sunday, May 21

T.B.A.