As we sit on the doorstep of the playoffs it’s been a tale of two polar opposite stories in the Western portion of the country compared to out East. While the Adanacs and Raiders continue to be the overwhelming favourites in their respective provinces, the OJLL keeps cannibalizing itself.
Orangeville will finish first, but the Northmen have dropped a couple of late season games (including last night against Peterborough). Whitby has been rolling recently, but got thumped by Beaches at HOME, and Six Nations has fallen into a tail spin dropping their last three games of the regular season.
It should all equate to what should be a captivating playoff in Ontario. Of course, there is two sides to the parity coin. While we expect the Adanacs and Raiders to roll, the Ontario champion will be battle tested by the time they get to the Minto Cup.
For now let’s take a look at how it all stacks up nationally as we put a bow on the regular season and move into the best time of the calendar, Canadian box lacrosse playoffs! Welcome back to the national Jr. A lacrosse power rankings!
#1. Coquitlam Adanacs (14-2)
They added at the deadline as they always do, and the yellow machine looks to be as efficient as ever. They’ve started to score a lot more, 111 goals in their last eight games (13.8/game) and have shut teams down all season. Wren Glanville from New West was a huge addition as the Adanacs look to do something they’ve never done, win a Minto out East. The scariest thought for opponents may be Jack Kask hasn’t even played to his usual standards, currently sitting fifth in save percentage in the BCJALL. There’s one other team in BC that has really improved and could push the Adanacs in these playoffs, but the defending champions remain huge favourites out on the west coast.
#2. Orangeville Northmen (16-4)
They will finish first in the country’s toughest league but it didn’t come without its scares. The Northmen had to pull out a number of games late to solidify their position in the penthouse of the OJLL. We all know about Liam Matthews and Trey Deere but what an incredible season from Max Kruger who really stepped up for the hornheads in 2025. This team is definitely a little different from its 2024 Ontario champion version. Expect to see Orangeville in a bunch of close, lower scoring games come playoff time.
#3. Toronto Beaches (15-5)
You could make the argument that this is the most feared team going into the playoffs. So many shooting threats and the best player in the at their disposal along with a goalie with pro experience under his belt. Toronto will be a formidable two seed. Unfortunately (and quite frankly ridiculously), the team won’t even get to stay in their home arena of Ted Reeve for their playoff run. However despite that, they still should have the talent to overcome that hurdle in what will be a bloodbath of an Ontario playoff. It’s worth noting the Beaches had the best goal differential in the league at +54 with the next closest being the Arrows at +36. As I’ve said many times this is a team that will apply plenty of scoring pressure on teams and only the best will be able to keep up.
#4. Whitby Warriors (13-6)
The Warriors Excellent win over Orangeville to make up for a late lost lead from a couple of weeks ago against the Northmen. Their defence and goaltending have improved over the back half of the season and that makes them a legitimate contender to grab that second available Minto spot in Ontario. It was an incredible swan song for Lucas Littlejohn who with one game remaining has totaled 111 pts and has a hand in most everything of Whitby does. They will be sizable favorites in Brampton in the league’s final game of the regular season Friday night, a win will allow them to avoid red hot Peterborough and draw St. Catharines in Round 1.
#5. Six Nations Arrows (13-7)
They have been sliding, there is no question about it, and the offence hasn’t been as smooth as it was earlier in this campaign. But the Arrows still have plenty of depth and an athletic back gate that can transition the ball up better than most of their opponents. As mentioned earlier Six Nations has Ontario’s second best goal differential and should have plenty of motivation and reason to lock in after dropping some recent games. Their punishment for their late drop in the standings? A likely matchup with Peterborough which will surely be a fast and physically taxing series. Perhaps the best Round 1 series you’ll find anywhere in the country.
#6. Raiders Lacrosse Club (13-2)
A couple of late season losses may not be the worst thing for this squad as it’s very possible some complacency was setting in. The Raiders coaching staff probably isn’t all too disappointed in losing a little bit down the stretch in the sense it should help keep their players focused and be easier for them to stress what needs to be corrected and what adjustments are necessary with the playoffs on the horizon.
The Raiders love sealing down and taking the perimeter shot and sometimes when it’s not falling they can get trapped into some closely contested games. More often than not though, that smart defence full of well timed doubles and slides alongside their relentless nature on loose balls pushes them through. Still the clear favorites in Alberta, I believe whoever comes out of that Moutnaineer/Miner series can  push the defending RMLL champions in the Alberta final.
#7. Peterborough Lakers (12-8)
This is a dark horse in the OJLL playoffs and a team that speaks to how deep the playoff field is in that province. They beat the Northmen last night, and will look to use that momentum in the playoffs.
Full of absolute horses out the back gate, they can make life difficult on any opponent. The couple of times I’ve gotten to watch then I’ve come away impressed with how fast they play the game. Also playing to their advantage is the trip to Peterborough is the furthest almost anyone can make in the league. It boggles my mind how the Jr’s don’t get crowds at those games and with how close their first round series projects to be that could conceivably make a difference. Winners of six of their last seven, the Lakers will enter the playoffs hot.
#8. Nanaimo Timbermen (10-5)
Don’t look now but that Timbermen are making a concerted effort to make their first ever Minto Cup appearance. Plenty of additions at the deadline have this offence loaded, most notably the dynamic Jared Maznik coming over from Delta. And even despite some key injuries, the Timbermen have been lighting it up lately with 42 goals in their last three outings. Included in that stretch was a statement win on the road in Victoria by a score of 13-8 this past Tuesday night. Someone had to step up to the plate in BC to pose some type of threat to Coquitlam and it looks as though Nanaimo has raised their hand and announced their arrival.
#9. St. Catharines Athletics (12-8)
Capable of beating anyone but also capable of letting lesser teams hang around, St Catharines seems to always be involved in lower scoring close games. They added a ton at the deadline and that usually takes a while to load into the algorithm and for some chemistry to form. They also appear to be a team that matches up really well with certain teams and maybe not so much with others. I’m fascinated to see how important the Ontario title is to them with their Minto berth already secured as hosts.
#10. Calgary Mountaineers (9-5-1)
From a shear confidence standpoint, that was a massive win over the Raiders to close the season. Especially considering they were very much in the two previous meetings before some lulls midway through the game took them out of it. If Calgary can get consistent goaltending their defence should keep them in games. I love the way they funnel underneath and send quick help on that side of the ball. The biggest key will likely be getting better play from their special teams, especially a power play that’s been a bit disjointed at times this season. A first round series with a Miners team also playing better ball awaits in what should be a terrific tilt.
I hope everyone out there is as jacked up as I am about these playoffs that are about to hit. The journey to the 2025 Minto Cup really heats up beginning this Saturday when Alberta’s RMLL semi-finals both get underway. Keep it dialed here as we take you through every series on our way to naming the four teams that will descend on St. Catharines, Ontario to compete for one of the most coveted prizes in all of lacrosse.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and get out to these arenas. Thanks for reading the Jr. A lacrosse power rankings!