Spirit playing in Trenton on Friday
It was a night of firsts at the Stouffville Arena Thursday.
The Stouffville Spirit knocked off the defending Ontario Junior Hockey League champion Toronto Patriots 3-2.
It was the first win of the season for the youthful Spirit squad that is now 1-1-0-0.
All three goals were first-ever Jr. A markers. Cooper Bonnyman, Ben Marling and Declan Torrance all clutched pucks after the game in honour of the accomplishment.
Joining the celebration was rookie goaltender Owen MacLean, who made 31 saves to record his first win in junior.
The Spirit was outshot 33-27, including 27-15 during the final two periods.
MacLean received the player of the game belt.
Griffen Boyle was named the first recipient of the Stouffville Fire Chief’s Choice award. The fire helmet will be given to the grittiest performer after each Spirit win.
THE SCORES
Stouffville 3, Toronto Patriots 2
THE SCHEDULE
Spirit at Trenton, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Newmarket at Stouffville, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Trenton at Stouffville, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Calem Yorke and Daniel Chen are the only twenty-year-olds on this year’s Spirit roster.
VETERAN YORKE HAPPY TO HELP YOUNG GUNS
Yorke knows he can help the youngsters on the squad.
“Having spent the last four years in junior hockey and obviously getting a lot of games and gaining experience, it helps a lot,” he told the Spirit’s Jim Mason during a Between Periods episode that aired on 102.9 WhiStle FM last night, “just because you know. These guys they’re learning and they don’t understand yet that they’re going to make mistakes.
“And that’s kind of how they’re going to roll with things. They’ve got to just keep going and they’ve got to keep pushing in. It’s nice to be able to kind of show them the ropes but also let them go. It is like taking training wheels off a bike –– you just let them go and then you’ve got to pick them up when they need a hand.”
His early impressions of the team?
“I’m really excited,” he said. “We’re obviously very young but an incredibly talented group, really a lot of room to grow here. And that makes me quite happy to see that. I’ve already seen a lot of progress from the back end out; everywhere on the ice there has been a lot of movement.”
Yorke, who lives in the Toronto neighbourhood of Leaside, joined the Spirit in a trade with the Caledon Admirals last January. He has fond memories of last season in Stouffville.
“Seeing the fans come to the games and all that was an awesome experience last year, especially in the playoffs,” he said. “The support that we had from the town and all that was really incredible. And, you know, it brought a lot of little warmth to me to kind of see everyone rallying around the team especially when things were tough last year.
Yorke, who “wanted to be a goalie since the age of two, works part time in a hockey store.
“I’m having some fun doing that, but honestly, I just get really excited to come to the rink every day. This is what I live and breathe.”
COMMUNITY
Look for the Spirit at the Terry Fox Run on Sunday. The players will work the refreshment stands, while encouraging the 1,000 participants that are expected to take to the 5 and 2K courses from Memorial Park.
MEDIA
All Spirit games are broadcast on 102.9FM whistlefm.ca radio and FloHockey TV.
https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).
Chris Mayberry and Jason Rehel anchor broadcasts from the Stouffville Arena.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville.
