The Norwich Merchants take on the Ayr Centennials Thursday
NORWICH - Merchants and Centennials will collide on Thursday in Game 1 of the Junior C hockey championships. A late season coaching change in November seems to have done the trick in propelling the Norwich Merchants into the finals. Dave Smith assumed the role of Merchants head coach in November and since then the team wracked up 22 wins during the regular season. The Merchants advanced after defeating New Hamburg in the semis.
Merchants Head Coach Dave Smith said from the outset the goal has been to make it to the playoffs, "well you know what, you always want to set a goal for your team and that was the goal we set and we kept telling them that if we keep doing the little things we will get there and we did succeed."
The Ayr Centennials finished first in the league with 30 wins during the regular season. Smith said they are a formidable opponent.
The Merchants will travel to Ayr this evening for Game 1. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

Thistle Theatre Presents: The Perils of Persephone
CO Awareness Week Underway
Strong Winds Expected for Oxford
Federal Liberals Table Budget
TDMH Celebrates a Year of the RAFT
News Poll: Poppy Campaign Underway
SWPH Confirms Case of Influenza A
Public Input Needed for Woodstock Transit
Oxford OPP Briefs - Nov. 3rd, 2025
Interview with the Mayor - November 3rd, 2025
PJHL Recap - Oct 31st to Nov 2nd
Nominations Open for Runway of Stars
Ultimate Burger Battle Begins!
Dodgers Beat Blue Jays in World Series
Impaired Driver Caught in Tillsonburg
Norfolk OPP Investigating Break-and-Enter
PJHL Preview - Oct. 31st to Nov. 2nd
BBBS Volunteers Honoured in London
Poppy Campaign Begins Today
Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday
Comments
Add a comment