GMHL South Division First Round Playoff Preview: #1 Northumberland Stars vs. #9 Richmond Hill Rampage

The GMHL South Division playoffs are set to begin, and the top-seeded Northumberland Stars (31-9-0-2) will take on the ninth-seeded Richmond Hill Rampage (4-37-0-1) in a first-round matchup. The Rampage secured the final playoff spot with an impressive 5-0 shutout victory over the #8 seed Bradford Bulls in the qualifying round, but they now face a massive challenge against the division’s best team.

The Stars dominated the regular season series, winning all four matchups against Richmond Hill by a combined score of 28-6.

Regular Season Recap

Northumberland had a franchise-best season, finishing atop the South Division with a .762 winning percentage. The Stars boasted an elite offensive attack, scoring 246 goals while allowing just 142, giving them the best goal differential in the division. Thomas Johnston led the entire GMHL in scoring with 117 points (40 goals, 77 assists) and was named the South Division MVP and Best Forward. Owen Brady became the first defenseman in league history to record 100 points (20 goals, 81 assists) and was named the division’s Best Defenseman. In net, Brady Dyer was a workhorse, posting a 17-10 record with a .903 save percentage and two shutouts, earning him runner-up honors for Best Goaltender in the South.

Richmond Hill endured a difficult regular season but managed to extend their campaign with a stunning upset over Bradford in the qualifier. Goaltender Joshua Hosein was the star of that game, stopping all 47 shots he faced for the shutout. Despite their struggles, the Rampage will look to build off that momentum as they enter their toughest test of the season.

Key Players to Watch

Northumberland Stars

• Thomas Johnston (F) – The league’s top scorer will be the focal point of the Stars’ attack.

• Owen Brady (D) – The record-setting defenseman is a playmaker from the back end and a power-play weapon.

• Brady Dyer (G) – A steady presence in goal, he gives the Stars a major advantage in net.

Richmond Hill Rampage

• Joshua Hosein (G) – Coming off a 47-save shutout, he will need to be at his best against Northumberland’s high-powered offense.

• Christapor Gosdanian (F) – Led the Rampage in scoring with 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists).

• Reily Wosik (F) – The team’s leading goal scorer (14 goals) will be counted on to generate offense.

Series Schedule

• Game 1: Friday, February 21 at Keeler Center, Northumberland – 7:30 PM

• Game 2: Saturday, February 22 at Elvis Stojko Arena, Richmond Hill – 6:00 PM

• Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

The Stars are heavy favorites in this series, having dominated the season series against Richmond Hill. However, with the pressure of the postseason and the unpredictability of playoff hockey, the Rampage will aim to defy the odds and pull off a historic upset.