The Niagara & District Jr. C Hockey League playoffs are underway after a wild finish to the regular season.

In the midst of what seemed to be a two-horse race for the top playoff seeding between the Glanbrook Rangers and Dundas Blues, the Grimsby Peach Kings strung together an eight-game unbeaten streak to storm up the NDJCHL standings and steal second place from Dundas on the final night of the season.

The Rangers successfully captured the regular season title, their first since 2013. But they have underwhelmed so far in the their first round playoff series against the woeful Simcoe Storm, taking the first two games 5-2 and 3-2 against a Storm team that finished winless in the regular season, 60 points behind Glanbrook in the standings.

Rangers assistant captain Brett Farrelly says Glanbrook can't take Simcoe for granted, despite outscoring the Storm 59-9 in their six regular season meetings.

"It's very important for us to not look past them. Playoffs are a new season, and when we started, both teams were 0-0," Farrelly said.

"Focusing on the task at hand and committing to play a full 60 minutes is what we need to do and not worry about the next round."

The Rangers improved their record by eight wins and 15 points this season, and are the favourite to end Grimsby's reign over the NDJCHL playoffs, which has seen the Peach Kings win eight consecutive league titles. Farrelly says there is added pressure, but some of it is self-inflicted.

"We know that we have a really solid team on paper, and for a lot of us, this is the most talented team we've been on. I don't think you can look at the tradition of other teams as pressure, I think the pressure comes from us wanting to create a new winning tradition (in Glanbrook.)

The Rangers and Storm continue their series with Game 3 on Sunday night at Glanbrook Arena.

Meanwhile, Dundas finished its season on a three-game losing streak, dropping them into third place and setting up a matchup with the Dunnville Mudcats in the first round. Last year, the Blues made it all the way to the league final, before falling to Grimsby in five games.

Dundas forward Cam McConnell says last year's result is still fresh in the Blues' memories.

"Looking back to last year's playoffs, the Blues went far, but not far enough, which was hard for all of us after all was said and done."

McConnell thinks this year's squad is even stronger than 2015's, but acknowledged that it all comes down to preparation.

"Every team has a chance, it really depends on how we prepare and perform before and after every game. It also depends on how you bounce back when things aren't going your way."

The Blues swept their season series against Dunnville, outscoring the Mudcats 30-14 in six games. Dundas took Game 1 at home with a 4-2 victory Thursday night.

McConnell has high hopes for a long run this post-season.

"Either (finishing) better or (going) all the way is what we're hoping for. A good hockey team always finds ways to win, which I know the Blues can do."

Playoff Matchups:

#1 Glanbrook (31-10-0-1) vs. #8 Simcoe (0-39-1-2)

#2 Grimsby (29-10-2-1) vs. #7 Port Dover (13-26-1-2)

#3 Dundas (29-11-1-2) vs. #6 Dunnville (16-24-1-1)

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#4 Hagersville (26-15-1-0) vs. #5 Niagara (20-19-1-2)

Glanbrook Schedule:

Game 3: Feb 7, 7:30 p.m. - Glanbrook Arena

Game 4: Feb 9, 8 p.m. - Talbot Gardens

Game 5: Feb 10, 7:30 p.m. - Glanbrook Arena*

Game 6: TBA*

Game 7: TBA*

Dundas Schedule:

Game 3: Feb 6, 7:30 p.m. - Market Street Arena

Game 4: Feb 9, 7:30 p.m. - Dunnville Memorial Arena

Game 5: Feb 11, 7:30 p.m. - Market Street Arena*

Game 6: Feb 12, 7:30 p.m. - Dunnville Memorial Arena*

Game 7: TBA*

*-If necessary