The North Division Final is set, and it pits the top seeded Wasaga River Dragons against the third seeded West Nipissing Lynx for a place in the Russell Cup Final.

Wasaga arrives after dispatching the Ville-Marie Pirates in four games, while West Nipissing stunned the league by eliminating the three time defending champion Bradford Rattlers in a dramatic five game series.

On paper, the regular season numbers heavily favor Wasaga. The River Dragons dominated the season series, winning six of seven meetings and collecting 13 of a possible 14 points, with their only loss coming in overtime. Over those seven games, Wasaga outscored West Nipissing 33-21.

But the Lynx arrive with momentum after one of the biggest playoff upsets in recent GMHL history.

The question now becomes simple.

Can the Lynx continue their run, or will the River Dragons reassert the dominance they showed all season?

Regular Season Series

The River Dragons controlled the matchup during the regular season.

Wasaga went 6-0-1 against West Nipissing across seven games, earning 13 of a possible 14 points.

Goals For: Wasaga 33
Goals For: West Nipissing 21

While those numbers suggest a clear advantage, playoff hockey often tells a different story, and the Lynx have already proven they are capable of beating elite teams.

Wasaga River Dragons: Possession and Depth

Wasaga’s semifinal series against Ville-Marie showcased exactly why they finished as the top seed in the North Division.

The River Dragons controlled play territorially, outshooting the Pirates 199-105 across four games and consistently dictating possession.

Game 1 set the tone, as Wasaga fired 58 shots on Benjamin Nadeau in a 4-2 victory. Elliot Stahmann opened the scoring while Maximilian Olsson, Luis Kolinke, and Brad Camp added offense.

Game 2 was even more dominant. Wasaga again generated 58 shots and rolled to a 6-0 win behind strong performances from Alexis Paradis and Hugo Olsson, while goaltender Brody Pritchard recorded the shutout.

The Pirates briefly pushed back in Game 3, but Wasaga responded in the clinching game with a 4-1 victory highlighted by goals from Graham Rooney, Anton Svensson, Hugo Olsson, and Maximilian Olsson.

Depth scoring has been a major weapon for the River Dragons, with contributions coming throughout the lineup.

In goal, Brody Pritchard has been exceptional, allowing just three goals in Wasaga’s three wins in the series while recording a shutout. His composure has been a backbone for the River Dragons.

West Nipissing Lynx: Momentum and Resilience

While Wasaga controlled their semifinal series, West Nipissing authored one of the most dramatic series of the playoffs.

The Lynx eliminated the reigning three time Russell Cup Champion Bradford Rattlers, winning the series three games to two.

After falling behind 2-1 in the series, West Nipissing had to do something no team had done all season.

They had to hand Bradford two consecutive losses.

Game 4 was the turning point. The Lynx built a three goal lead before surviving a furious Bradford comeback and eventually winning in overtime on a goal from Zachary Major.

Game 5 was even more impressive.

Facing the defending champions on the road, Saveliy Kornev delivered a hat trick, while Jeffrey Findlater scored twice. Goaltender Vladislav Morozyuk stopped 35 shots as the Lynx closed out the upset with a 5-3 victory.

West Nipissing’s ability to respond to adversity and deliver in high pressure moments was the defining theme of the series.

Goaltending Matchup

This series features two goaltenders coming off strong performances.

For Wasaga, Brody Pritchard enters the series after posting two shutouts against Ville-Marie and allowing just three total goals in Wasaga’s three victories.

For West Nipissing, Vladislav Morozyuk was outstanding against Bradford, making key saves in Games 4 and 5 and closing the series with a 35 save performance.

Both netminders have proven they can deliver when the stakes are highest.

Players to Watch

Wasaga River Dragons

Maximilian Olsson
Hugo Olsson
Alexis Paradis
Elliot Stahmann
Anton Svensson

Wasaga’s strength lies in its depth scoring, with multiple players capable of producing offense every night.

West Nipissing Lynx

Saveliy Kornev
Zachary Major
Mathias Drolet
Tyler Thibodeau
Jeffrey Findlater

Kornev enters the series as one of the hottest players in the playoffs following his Game 5 hat trick against Bradford.

Series Schedule

Game 1 – Friday, March 6
Wasaga Stars Arena – 7:00 PM

Game 2 – Saturday, March 7
West Nipissing – 7:30 PM

Game 3 – Tuesday, March 10
Wasaga Stars Arena – 7:00 PM

Game 4 – Friday, March 13
West Nipissing – 7:30 PM

Game 5 (If Necessary) – Sunday, March 15
Wasaga Stars Arena – 7:00 PM

Game 6 (If Necessary) – Monday, March 16
West Nipissing – Time TBD

Game 7 (If Necessary) – Tuesday, March 17
Wasaga Stars Arena – 7:00 PM

What to Expect

This series presents one of the most intriguing contrasts of the playoffs.

Wasaga has been the most consistent team in the North Division all season, dominating opponents with puck possession and depth scoring.

West Nipissing arrives as the playoff disruptor, already eliminating the defending champions and proving they can rise to the biggest moments.

One team has controlled the matchup historically.

The other is riding the biggest momentum swing of the postseason.

The winner will move on to the Russell Cup Final.