South Division Semi-Finals Preview: #1 Northumberland Stars vs. #5 Tottenham Railers

The South Division Semi-Finals are set, and the top-seeded Northumberland Stars will take on the fifth-seeded Tottenham Railers in a best-of-five showdown. Northumberland enters the series as the clear favorite after an impressive regular season and a dominant first-round performance, while Tottenham looks to keep their underdog run alive.

Regular Season Recap

Northumberland was one of the South Division’s top teams all season, finishing with a 31-9-2 record, tied for the best point total in the division. The Stars boasted a potent offense, scoring 246 goals while allowing just 142, ranking among the best defensive units in the league. Led by South Division MVP and Best Forward Thomas Johnston (40G, 77A, 117PTS) and Best Defenseman Owen Brady (20G, 81A, 101PTS), Northumberland’s top-end talent was unmatched throughout the year.

Tottenham, meanwhile, battled their way to a .500 finish at 20-20-2. The Railers were competitive in most games, scoring 203 goals but struggling defensively, giving up 208 goals—far more than any other team remaining in the playoffs. Their offense was led by Xavier Charbonneau (40G, 38A, 78PTS), who earned South Division Top Defensive Forward honors while still finishing among the league's top scorers.

In their five head-to-head meetings during the regular season, Northumberland had the upper hand, winning four of the five matchups while outscoring Tottenham 28-20. The lone Railers victory came in overtime, showing they can keep games close but have struggled to finish the job.

Northumberland’s First-Round Performance

The Stars made quick work of the ninth-seeded Richmond Hill Rampage in the opening round, sweeping them in two games. Northumberland flexed its offensive firepower in Game 1 with a 9-3 blowout before closing the series with a 5-3 win. Johnston, Brady, and Jaden Smith were dominant, while their defensive structure and goaltending held firm.

Goaltender Brady Dyer played a significant role in the series, stopping key chances and maintaining stability in the crease. His .903 save percentage through the regular season will be critical in shutting down Tottenham’s attack.

Tottenham’s Path to the Semi-Finals

The Railers advanced to the second round after an intense battle with the fourth-seeded Toronto Flyers. Tottenham edged out a 5-4 overtime win in Game 1 and followed it up with a 4-2 victory to complete the sweep. Charbonneau and Alexis Paradis (27G, 32A, 59PTS) led the way offensively, while goaltender Dominic Marquis provided just enough stability despite posting a 5.08 goals-against average in the regular season.

Keys to the Series

Northumberland’s Keys to Victory:

1. Keep the Offense Rolling – Johnston, Brady, and company need to continue producing at an elite rate. Tottenham’s defense has been suspect all season, and the Stars should exploit that weakness.

2. Shut Down Charbonneau – The Railers’ best player will be the focal point for Northumberland’s defensive matchups. If they contain him, Tottenham’s offense could struggle to generate consistent chances.

3. Goaltending Consistency – Dyer and Cohen Bedore need to continue making key stops when needed. While Tottenham has goal-scoring threats, Northumberland's structured play should limit high-quality chances.

Tottenham’s Keys to Victory:

1. Stay Disciplined – Northumberland’s power play is lethal, with Johnston and Brady quarterbacking the unit. Avoiding penalties is crucial.

2. Marquis Must Step Up – With Northumberland averaging nearly six goals per game in the regular-season series, Tottenham’s goaltender needs to be sharp.

3. Capitalize on Counterattacks – The Railers have speed and offensive weapons, but they need to make the most of limited opportunities against a stingy Northumberland team.

Series Outlook

On paper, Northumberland is the clear favorite. They dominated the regular season, have two of the division’s top players, and come into the series with confidence after dismantling Richmond Hill. Tottenham will need a near-perfect effort to pull off the upset, relying heavily on Charbonneau and Marquis to lead the way.