Feb 03, 2010 - 03:37 PM

By Brian McNair

WHITBY -- This weekend will be extremely important in determining first place in Major League Hockey.

The question then becomes: how important is first place?

While it would be nice, says Whitby Dunlops coach and GM Justin Cardwell, it's not the be-all and end-all.

The Dunlops (16-5-0) and Dundas Real McCoys (15-3-2) head into a home-and-home set this weekend tied atop the standings, with Dundas still holding a game in hand.

So, if the Dunlops are to take the regular season title, they will likely have to sweep the two games, which are set for Friday in Dundas (7:45 p.m.) and Saturday at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre (3:30 p.m.). Whitby has one game after that, Feb. 14 in Norwood, while Dundas closes out with two games against last-place Orillia/Coldwater.

The advantage to finishing first would only come if the two teams meet in the league final, where the extra home game would go to the higher team in the standings. Prior to that, the Dunlops, Real McCoys and Norwood Vipers (9-12-1) will play an eight-game round robin, with the top two teams advancing.

"We've talked about it throughout the season that we would like to secure first place," says Cardwell. "I think we're a strong team at home and having that seventh and deciding game in Whitby could be the difference maker. But at the end of the day, we also want to make sure that we are healthy and playing our best come the playoffs whether we are first or second."

The Dunlops will head into this weekend fresh off a dominant performance Jan. 30 in Coldwater, where they turned a 1-1 game through one period into a 12-1 romp over the Tundras.

Ron Baker led the way with five points, including a pair of goals, while his cousin, Colin Baker, had two goals and two assists. Shane Terry fired a hat trick, with other goals coming from Garett Winder, Matt Cardwell, Justin Olden, Peter MacKellar and Kyle Ventura.

Anthony Marshall earned the win in goal, as the Dunlops outshot the Tundras 54-31 in the game, including 25-9 in the third period.

As for the weekend ahead, Cardwell would like to see his Dunlops show the Real McCoys they're more of a threat than last year, when Dundas swept the best-of-seven final.

"I think we're pretty close, but they're the defending champions, they went to the Allan Cup, so you've got to give them credit and consider them as the favourite," he says. "But I like the way our team is shaping up. Barring any unforeseen injuries or anything else unexpected, I think we can compete with anybody in Canada."

The MLH playoff champion will travel for a best-of-three series against the northern Ontario champ for the right to compete at this year's Allan Cup national championship, to be held April 19-24 in Fort St. John, B.C.