The playoff picture in the Newfoundland and Labrador Major Midget Hockey League is a whole lot clearer after the final weekend of the 2014-15 regular season in Corner Brook Jan. 16-18.

After a weekend that saw 20 games played over three days at the Pepsi Centre in Corner Brook, four teams made the playoffs out of five when the dust settled.

As it pertains to the Tri Pen Osprey, the team finished the season in third place and earned themselves a first round matchup with the Western Kings.

The other series will involve the first place St. John’s Maple Leafs and the fourth place Central Ice Pak.

The St. John’s Privateers were the lone team to finish out of the playoffs.

The Osprey's weekend record of three wins and one loss put their season record at 20 wins and 12 losses, good for 40 points.

That places the Osprey just two points behind the second-place Kings and signals what is sure to be a hard fought playoff matchup between the two teams.

The Osprey started the weekend on shaky ground after a lopsided 9-2 loss to the Maple Leafs on Jan. 16. Andrew Churchill and Lyndon Thorne got on the scoresheet for Tri Pen.

Riley Akerman was saddled with the loss in goal.

The team bounced back with a 4-1 victory over their future playoff opponent the Western Kings on Jan. 17.

Cameron Simms led the way offensively for his squad with two goals. Ethan Street and Nathanial Duffett had the other markers for the Osprey.

Brent Hatfield picked up the win in goal.

The Osprey made it two in a row with a 5-3 victory over the Privateers. Ryan Dawson had two goals and an assist to pace Tri Pen, while Cameron Simms, Reilly Deering and Ethan Street chipped in singles.

In the last game of the weekend for the Osprey, Tri Pen went to a shootout with the Ice Pak. Ryan Petten and Andrew Churchill scored in regulation, while Mark Barrett and Cass Warren hit the back of the net in the shootout.

Award winners

At the league’s awards gala on Jan. 17, the Osprey were the big winners as three members of the organization took home trophies.

First, hulking forward Conal McNamara took home the well-deserved most valuable player award.

The power forward led the league in goals (24), points (47) and shorthanded markers (3), while placing at the top or near the top in game winners, powerplay goals and assists.

Then, second-year forward Cass Warren took home the award for most gentlemanly and effective player.

To conclude a big night for the Osprey, coach Scott Akerman was named the league’s coach of the year.

Under Akerman Tri Pen more than doubled its win total from the previous year and jumped up one spot in the standings.

The Kings and Osprey will begin its best-of-seven playoff matchup in two weeks at the Pepsi Centre in Corner Brook.

As of right now, the Osprey will play at least two of its three home games at the Bay Arena in Bay Roberts Feb. 6 and 7. A location for the third game has not been confirmed.

nmercer@cbncompass.ca