South Division Playoff Preview: #4 Toronto Flyers vs. #5 Tottenham Railers

The final South Division playoff matchup features the #4 seed Toronto Flyers taking on the #5 seed Tottenham Railers in what promises to be a tightly contested series. The opening game took place Monday night in Tottenham, where Railers captain and Best Defensive Forward award winner Xavier Charbonneau delivered the dramatic overtime winner with less than a second remaining, giving Tottenham a 1-0 series lead. The series now shifts to Toronto for Game 2 on February 19, with Game 3, if necessary, scheduled for February 23.

Regular Season Recap

The Flyers and Railers faced off twice during the regular season, with Tottenham emerging victorious in both matchups. The Railers dominated the first encounter early in the season with a commanding 10-3 win. The second meeting was much closer, with Tottenham edging out Toronto 7-6 in overtime. Despite finishing with nearly identical records, Tottenham claimed both head-to-head games, showcasing their ability to compete against the Flyers.

Toronto Flyers Overview

Toronto finished the regular season with a 19-18-5 record, securing the fourth seed with 43 points. The Flyers scored 175 goals while conceding 184, highlighting their need for defensive stability. Leading the way offensively is Ryan Daponte, who racked up 78 points (31G, 47A) in 38 games. Tomas Palandra (28G, 34A, 62PTS) and Jack Matos (24G, 35A, 59PTS) also provide significant offensive contributions.

Between the pipes, the Flyers have relied on Lucas DiRisio, who appeared in 26 games with a 4.46 GAA and an .884 SV%. Evan Trochta posted a solid 6-0-0 record with a 3.48 GAA and .906 SV%, making him an option to watch in this series.

Tottenham Railers Overview

Tottenham closed out the regular season with a 20-20-2 record, finishing just one point behind Toronto with 42 points. The Railers had a slightly better offensive output, scoring 203 goals but allowing 208. Xavier Charbonneau has been their offensive leader, notching 78 points (40G, 38A) in 34 games, including four shorthanded goals. Alexis Paradis, a runner-up for Best Defenseman in the South, contributed 59 points (27G, 32A), while Malik Thibeault-Boisvert added 52 points (32G, 20A) in just 29 games.

In goal, Tottenham rotated several netminders throughout the season. Dominic Marquis led the team in wins with an 8-6-0 record despite a 5.08 GAA and an .880 SV%.

Keys to the Series

• Special Teams Battle – Both teams feature dynamic power-play threats, with Paradis (13 PPG) and Charbonneau (11 PPG) for Tottenham, while Toronto’s Daponte (10 PPG) and Matos (8 PPG) lead the way.

• Goaltending Consistency – Toronto’s goalies will be a key factor if the Flyers hope to advance, while Tottenham will need strong performances from their netminders to close out the series.

• Game 2 Pressure – With Toronto hosting Game 2, the Flyers must secure a win to avoid elimination, while Tottenham has a chance to close out the series on the road.

What’s Next?

The series continues with Game 2 on February 19 in Toronto. If necessary, a deciding Game 3 will take place on February 23.