The Trenton Golden Hawks are flying into the 2026 Buckland Cup Playoffs.
Trenton won its 16th of its past 17 games with an 8-1 drubbing of the Aurora Tigers on Friday, a night where the team followed a junior hockey tradition of honouring its graduating players on the final night of the regular season.
The Hawks dangerous offence erupted with three quick goals in the second part of the first period, with leading scorer Taeo Artichuk and Jamie Darlison striking 14 seconds apart, followed by Jack Ziliotto’s 39th of the season and first of two on the night.
Charlie Hotles struck early in the second on a powerplay to cut the Aurora deficit, but that was only a small blip on the journey for the Hawks.
Ziliotto buried his team-best 40th of the year, before Thomas Kuipers and Beckett Ewart each scored to extend the lead.
Joey Brehmer slotted one home in the third and Preston Otting nabbed his first as a Hawk to finish the scoring and send Trenton soaring into the first round next week.
Darlison, Ziliotto and Artichuk combined for 13 points each and Colton Drillen-Roach posted the win to help Trenton finished 45-9-0-2 on the season with 92 points.
With the Lindsay Muskies win over Cobourg on Friday officially securing their playoff spot, the Hawks will play their rivals from the Kawarthas in the postseason starting next weekend.
Scheduling details will be released when available.


