Coach's Corner

SISKINS 2009-2010 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

** If necessary

HISTORIC RIVALS MEET YET AGAIN

Date: Mar 15, 2010

Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings - All historic rivalries that seem to bring out the best in players in the toughest of situations.

Thus bringing us to another rivalry of sorts. One that can be traced back too as early as 1975. The Waterloo Siskins and the Stratford Cullitons have, for years, met each other in Jr. B playoff action. Now with the new GOJHL, the rivalry lives on, this time a chance for a spot in the Conference finals is the reward.

These two clubs have met in the post season 17 times in the span of 22 seasons, dating back to the 1975-76 season. On nine of those 17 occasions, the winner of the Stratford vs. Waterloo series has gone on to win the Sutherland Cup (5 by Waterloo, 4 by Stratford).

The Siskins eliminated the Cullitons eight times and went on to win five Sutherland Cup titles (1994, 1991, 1988, 1985, and 1984).

The Cullitons have won nine series against the Siskins and they have gone on to win four Sutherland Cup championships (1990, 1986, 1978, and 1977).

In the 17 series, 90 games in total have been played, the Cullitons winning 48 and Siskins winning 41, with one game being a tie.

After finishing the regular season with a strong 43-7-1 record to sit in second place atop the Mid Western Conference standings, the Waterloo Siskins made their presence felt. Taking on the seventh place Guelph Hurricanes the Siskins found little trouble defeating them in five games. A strong offensively talented squad with superb goaltending is a tough club to break.

The Stratford Cullitons found themselves going down a different route to get to where they are now. Finishing the regular season with a messy 23-27-1 record the Cullitons found themselves paired up against the Cambridge Winter Hawks, a team that had been playing great hockey going into the post season. Records aside, the Cullitons managed to defeat the Hawks in just four games to secure their spot in the conference semi finals. Noted as a team that does not quit, this Cullitons squad is playing like they still have much to prove.

The Following is a Year-by-Year showing the results of the 17 post season meetings between the Stratford Cullitons and Waterloo Siskins:

1996-97 - Stratford won semis 4-1
1993-94 - Waterloo won semis 4-1 and won 11th Sutherland Cup
1991-92 - Stratford won semis 4-2
1990-91 - Waterloo won finals 4-3 and won 10th Sutherland Cup
1989-90 - Stratford won finals 4-2 and won 4th Sutherland Cup
1988-89 - Waterloo won finals 4-2
1987-88 - Waterloo won semis 4-1 and won 9th Sutherland Cup
1985-86 - Stratford won finals 4-0 and won 3rd Sutherland Cup
1984-85 - Waterloo won finals 4-1 and won 8th Sutherland Cup
1983-84 - Waterloo won finals 4-0 and won 7th Sutherland Cup
1982-83 - Stratford won finals 4-2
1981-82 - Stratford won semis 4-0-1
1979-80 -Waterloo won finals 4-2
1978-79 - Stratford won semis 4-0
1977-78 - Stratford won finals 4-1 and won 2nd Sutherland Cup
1976-77 - Stratford won finals 8-2 (pts) and won 1st Sutherland Cup
1975-76 - Waterloo won 4-2 in finals.