Collingwood Blues fighting to stay in playoffs at home game tomorrow

The Collingwood Blues Junior A hockey team will be playing to stay in the playoffs on home ice tomorrow (April 20). 

It's the second of three games in round two of four playoffs leading to the Ontario Junior Hockey League championships. 

The team's general manager, Mike Tarantino, said the team, despite having one of the younger rosters in the league, is doing well. This is the first time the Collingwood team has made it past the first round of playoffs since they formed as the Collingwood Colts in 2019. 

Because of delays from shut downs in January, the seven-game playoff rounds have been reduced to three. Collingwood lost 2-1 in overtime to Pickering in their first game of round 2.

Tarantino said Pickering is favoured to win the league this year with its mature roster. 

"Our team is doing well ... a few major injuries are hurting us ... but we could arguably have won that game," said Tarantino. 

The two teams face off again, this time at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena on April 20. A loss would eliminate the Blues from the playoffs, but a win would bring them into the third and final game for round two. 

"The team has played very well," said Tarantino. "It really comes down to who executes their game plan better. I know our players are prepared." 

There are four rounds of playoffs, with the division finals going five games and the winners of both meeting on the ice for the championship best-of-seven games. 

Since this could be the Blues last home game of the season, the team is hoping to draw a big crowd to the ice. 

All minor hockey players and students will get into the game free with a paying adult. Tickets are available here, use the promo code GoBluesGo for discounts.