It will be a longtime rival squaring off against the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks to start the 2026 Ontario Elite Hockey League playoffs.
The 5th seeded Winterhawks will face the 4th seeded Durham Thundercats in what is sure to be a fiery and high-octane series, which begins Friday night at The Plex.
The Winterhawks finished off the regular season on January 24th, cruising to an 8-2 victory over the Lucknow Lancers, paced by a six-point night for Brent MacDermid, who notched four goals and added two assists.
The win locked the Winterhawks into the 5th seed in the North Division, and then they had to wait and see who would be their opponent.
Durham dropped their final two games of the season to the defending champion Minto 81’s, sliding down to 4th place to set up the meeting with the Winterhawks.
The Winterhawks will have to pay special attention to Durham’s top line in this series, with OEHL scoring champion Brody Leblanc leading an offence that scored more goals than any other team in the OEHL this season.
The two teams met three times during the regular season, Durham squeaking out a 6-5 win at The Plex October 10th, with the Winterhawks returning the volley on Durham’s ice with a 5-2 road win on November 1st.
Durham took the rubber match on January 3rd with a definitive 7-1 score, though it’s worth noting the Winterhawks took a depleted lineup into that game.
The series begins Friday night, Feb. 6th, with Game 1 at The Plex at 8:30 p.m.
As is tradition, the Winterhawks will support our local hospital during the playoffs, with the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation selected as the benefactor of all playoff 50-50 draws.
Playoff tickets are $12, kids 12 & under are free with adult ticket purchase. Season ticket passes include playoff admission.
Full series schedule:
Game 1 – Fri. Feb. 6th 8:30 p.m The Plex
Game 2 – Sat. Feb. 7th 6:30 p.m. Durham
Game 3 – Fri. Feb. 13th 8:30 p.m. The Plex
Game 4 – Sat. Feb. 14th 6:30 p.m. Durham
Game 5* – Fri. Feb. 20th 8:30 p.m. Durham
Game 6* – Sat. Feb. 21st 8:45 p.m. The Plex
Game 7* – Sun. Feb. 22nd 5:00 p.m. Durham
