The South Division Final is set, and it features two teams that have been nearly unstoppable in the 2026 GMHL playoffs.

The #1 seeded Northumberland Stars will face the #2 seeded Durham roadrunners in a best of seven series with a berth in the Russell Cup Final on the line.

Both teams arrive undefeated in the postseason after sweeping their semifinal matchups. Northumberland eliminated the St. George Ravens in three games, while Durham dispatched the Niagara Predators in equally convincing fashion.

Now, two red hot teams collide with everything at stake.

Regular Season Series

Northumberland controlled the season series overall, winning seven of the eight meetings between the teams.

Sept 29 – Northumberland 4, Durham 2
Oct 10 – Northumberland 9, Durham 4
Nov 14 – Northumberland 6, Durham 1
Nov 28 – Northumberland 4, Durham 2
Dec 8 – Northumberland 9, Durham 4
Dec 22 – Northumberland 4, Durham 3 (OT)
Jan 30 – Durham 10, Northumberland 3
Feb 9 – Northumberland 6, Durham 4

Despite the 7-1 edge in the season series, Durham showed late in the season that they could challenge the Stars, highlighted by the 10-3 victory in late January and a much stronger stretch of play during the second half of the year.

Northumberland Stars: Power Play and Clutch Scoring

Northumberland’s semifinal sweep of St. George revealed a team capable of both explosive offense and late game composure.

Game 1 immediately set the tone for the series. Tristan Miron recorded a hat trick, while Brayden Bowen scored the tying goal with just seven seconds remaining in regulation before Zennon Edwards won the game in overtime.

The Stars then leaned on structure and depth.

Dario Alimonti scored twice in Game 2, while goaltender Nick Mayne stopped 35 of 36 shots to stabilize the series.

In Game 3, Northumberland erupted with five third period goals to complete the sweep. Ryan Boon dominated with a five point night (2G, 3A) while Mitchell Quesnel added two goals.

Boon’s consistency across the series earned him Series MVP honors, and he enters the division final as one of the hottest players in the playoffs.

Northumberland’s power play became the defining weapon in the semifinal, striking repeatedly when momentum hung in the balance.

Durham roadrunners: Depth and Offensive Waves

Durham’s sweep of Niagara was one of the most commanding series performances of the playoffs so far.

The roadrunners consistently controlled possession, overwhelmed the Predators with shot volume, and rolled scoring across multiple lines.

Game 1 belonged to Ilya Vlasenko, who scored twice, while goaltender Yaroslav Gurenkov stopped 38 shots to secure the win.

Game 2 showcased Durham’s depth scoring. Yenri Jibb recorded a goal and two assists, while Ivan Ponomarev and Jesse Aitken added key offensive contributions.

The clincher was Durham’s most dominant performance.

In Game 3, the roadrunners exploded for eight goals, highlighted by a four point performance from Timofei Ergardt and another multi point night from Yenri Jibb.

Jibb finished the series with six points across Games 2 and 3 and was named Series MVP.

Durham’s attack does not rely on a single line. Instead, the roadrunners generate waves of pressure that force opponents into extended defensive shifts.

Goaltending Matchup

Both teams have received excellent goaltending throughout the playoffs.

Northumberland used a tandem approach in their semifinal series. Ivan Kremnev started Game 1, while Nick Mayne handled Games 2 and 3, delivering calm and efficient performances including a 35 save effort in Game 2.

Durham also rotated goaltenders successfully.

Yaroslav Gurenkov was outstanding in the series opener with a .950 save percentage, while Leonid Putilov delivered a composed Game 2 performance.

Both clubs have shown they can rely on multiple netminders, giving their coaching staffs flexibility if the series stretches deep.

Players to Watch

Northumberland Stars

Ryan Boon
Brayden Bowen
Tristan Miron
Mitchell Quesnel
Zennon Edwards

Boon enters the series as one of the most dangerous playmakers remaining in the playoffs, while Miron and Bowen have already delivered clutch moments.

Durham roadrunners

Yenri Jibb
Timofei Ergardt
Ilya Vlasenko
Jesse Aitken
Marquise Brown

Jibb and Ergardt were dominant in the semifinal round, while Vlasenko continues to be one of Durham’s most dangerous scorers.

Series Schedule

Game 1 – Friday, March 6
@ The Keeler – 7:30 PM

Game 2 – Saturday, March 7
@ Durham – 7:45 PM

Game 3 – Sunday, March 8
@ Durham – 9:00 PM

Game 4 – Wednesday, March 11
@ The Keeler – 3:00 PM

Game 5 – Friday, March 13
@ The Keeler – 7:30 PM*

Game 6 – Sunday, March 15
@ Durham – 9:00 PM*

Game 7 – Monday, March 16
@ The Keeler – 8:00 PM*

If necessary

What to Expect

The South Division Final features two undefeated playoff teams, one built around explosive special teams and clutch scoring, the other powered by depth and relentless offensive pressure.

Northumberland has controlled the matchup historically.

Durham enters as arguably the hottest team in the GMHL.

One of them will continue their perfect playoff run.

The other will finally blink.

And the winner moves on to the Russell Cup Final.