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February 16, 2026

North Division Playoff Preview: #4 Ville-Marie vs. #5 Tottenham

Continuity versus change in sudden-death sprint

The North Division’s tightest first-round matchup gets underway this afternoon as the fourth-seeded Ville-Marie Pirates (22-16-2, 46 PTS) visit the fifth-seeded Tottenham Railers (19-22-1, 39 PTS) in a best-of-three series that leaves zero margin for error.

Ville-Marie enters on a five-game winning streak and finished the regular season trending upward. Tottenham, meanwhile, dropped seven straight to close out the schedule. In a short series, however, momentum can flip quickly—especially when the pressure shifts to elimination hockey.

Season Snapshot

Ville-Marie Pirates

  • 22-16-2 record

  • 172 GF | 173 GA

  • Balanced offensive attack

  • Riding a 5W Streak

Tottenham Railers

  • 19-22-1 record

  • 193 GF | 200 GA

  • High offensive output during the season

  • Enter on a L7 skid

The Pirates played tighter defensively overall, while Tottenham’s identity was built around scoring. The difference now? The Railers’ roster looks dramatically different than it did for much of the season.

Deadline Shake-Up & Call-Ups

Tottenham’s top-end production took a major hit prior to the trade deadline. Tighe Frazee (62 pts), Yenri Jibb (50 pts), DonHeaven Veilleux (37 pts), Jesse Aitken (34 pts), and Alexis Paradis (31 pts) were all dealt, removing over 200 points from the lineup.

Adding to the challenge, Aimy Royer (44 pts) is currently on a professional call-up.

That leaves the Railers searching for offense from depth contributors, while Ville-Marie brings continuity and structure into the postseason.

Ville-Marie Offensive Leaders

  • Mathis Bernard (28G, 52 PTS) – The Pirates’ primary finisher and offensive catalyst.

  • Mathis Laverdure (39 PTS) – Steady secondary scorer.

  • William Arsenault (36 PTS in 16 GP) – Elite production in limited games.

  • Dylan Riviere (19G) – A proven difference-maker in tight contests.

Ville-Marie’s strength lies in its layered scoring. They don’t rely on just one line—they can roll multiple threats.

In Goal

For Ville-Marie, there are multiple viable options.

  • Emile Robitaille: 7-2 record, .906 SV%, 3.22 GAA

  • Benjamin Nadeau: .919 SV%, strong efficiency in limited action

  • Maxim Audet: 16 appearances, battled through heavy shot volumes and brings experience between the pipes

The Pirates have flexibility, and in a best-of-three, riding the hot hand will be critical.

For Tottenham, the crease belongs to one man.

  • Anton Nikulin: 19 games played, 9-9 record, .900 SV%, 4.71 GAA

Nikulin is the clear number one and will need to be sharp immediately. With offensive departures thinning out scoring depth, his performance could determine whether this series is short or extended.

Keys to the Series

1. Game 1 Urgency
If Tottenham drops the opener at home, they head to Ville-Marie needing two straight on the road.

2. Depth Scoring for the Railers
With major offensive pieces moved and Royer unavailable, someone new must emerge.

3. Goaltending Stability
Ville-Marie’s depth in net versus Nikulin’s workload could be the defining factor.

Schedule

  • Game 1: Monday – 2:30 PM in Tottenham

  • Game 2: Friday in Ville-Marie

  • Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday in Ville-Marie

The Pirates hold home ice for the final two games, which could loom large if this series stretches the distance.

Outlook

Momentum favors Ville-Marie. Roster continuity favors Ville-Marie.

But playoff hockey rarely follows regular-season trends. If Nikulin delivers a standout performance and Tottenham finds unexpected scoring, this matchup could quickly turn into a coin flip.

It all begins this afternoon at 2:30 PM.