MJHL tweaks playoff semi-finals format

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is changing the road to the Turnbull Cup.

The broad strokes will still be the same, with the top four teams in the East and West conferences still playing a divisional-based quarterfinals, leading to a seeded semi-finals and finals.

The change comes in the semi-finals. Division winners will automatically be ranked first and second when it comes to seeding the semi-finals this season.

Last year Virden was the top seed in the West Division but had to play without home ice advantage in the semi-finals, taking on Steinbach, which finished with 96 points, 13 ahead of the Oil Capitals, despite placing second in the East.

If that same match-up was played under the new rules, Virden would get home ice advantage as a division winner.

Home ice in the league championship will go to whichever team finishes the regular season with more points. All three rounds will be seven games.

“Over the last three seasons, the MJHL has witnessed some of the highest average playoff attendance in decades, matched with a heightened display of skill and competitiveness,” a news release from the league reads.

The league’s playoffs are set to begin Friday, March 19 after the conclusion of the regular season.

The winner of the Turnbull Cup will go on to represent the MJHL at the Centennial Cup, which will be hosted by the Fort McMurray Oil Barons this season.