CARP – With seven games to go in the National Capital Junior C Hockey League (NCJHL) the West Carleton Inferno are gearing up to snag that precious final playoff spot.

The Inferno sit in fourth place in the five team West Division of the NCJHL. It’s the top eight teams in the league, regardless of division, that earn a trip to the playoffs. Currently the Metcalfe Jets hold that final playoff spot with an 8-17-2 record. The Inferno are only four points behind with a 7-20-0 record.

The Inferno managed to snag two points the last weekend they played, Jan. 10 and 11. The Inferno battled Gatineau Hull-Volant fiercely on Jan. 10.

“We were all over them with many scoring chances,” general manager and team president John Miotla told West Carleton Online yesterday (Jan. 23). “The score was 3-2 for them but they ended up forfeiting that game plus several others because they had an ineligible former junior A player on their roster. Just an honest mistake in understanding roster rules on their part.”

Either way, it was an important two points for the Inferno.

The Jan. 11 game, a crucial one against the Jets, ended up being postponed. The Inferno had last weekend off and now have a three-game weekend starting tonight (Jan. 24).

“The Inferno are gearing up for a big weekend of hockey with three games this weekend,” Miotla said. “Our win over the Gatineau-Hull Volante on Jan 10 puts us only four points out of a playoff spot. The six points on the line this weekend can make a huge difference, especially our home game on Saturday (Jan. 25) when we host the Metcalfe Jets who we are chasing for a playoff spot.”

The Inferno play the North Dundas Rockets tonight at the Chesterville and District Arena, and are on the road Sunday, Jan. 26 versus the Morrisburg Lions, making Saturday huge.

“We would like to encourage folks to come out on Saturday to support the team and watch some great NCJHL Junior Hockey action,” Miotla said. “Each home game we will hold a contest for the best Inferno cheer poster to be voted on by the players. Winner gets to meet the players and receives a group pass for laser tag courtesy of Laser Quest.”

The Inferno continue to be led by Carp native Corey Symington who now has 31 points in 23 games (20 goals, 11 assists). Symington’s 20 goals puts him in seventh place in NCJHL goal scoring this season.

The Inferno’s season ends Feb. 15 in Carp and playoffs start Feb. 21.

Remaining regular season schedule

• Friday, Jan. 24 – 9:15 p.m. vs North Dundas Rockets in Chesterville
• Saturday, Jan. 25 – 8:10 p.m. vs Metcalfe Jets at home in Carp
• Sunday, Jan. 26 – 2:15 p.m. vs Morrisburg Lions in Morrisburg
• Saturday, Feb. 1 – 8:10 p.m. vs Morrisburg Lions at home in Carp
• Friday, Feb. 7 – 8:15 p.m. vs Metcalfe Jets at Larry Robison arena in Metcalfe
• Saturday, Feb. 8 – 8:10 p.m. vs Gatineau-Hull Volant at Home in Carp
• Saturday, Feb. 15 – 8:10 p.m. vs Metcalfe Jets at home in Carp