The Stouffville Spirit faces the Trenton Golden Hawks in Ontario Junior Hockey League action in Trenton Friday night.
The Golden Hawks (26-3-2-0), the top-ranked team in the OJHL and the Canadian Junior Hockey League, have earned at least a point in 17 straight games, including a 2-2 double-overtime tie in Caledon Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Spirit (18-11-0-4) were defeating the Aurora Tigers 6-3 in Stouffville Thursday, giving them points in five straight games (4-0-0-1.
Spirit rookie Josh Bonnyman scored in his third straight game, netting what proved to be the winning goal off a nifty pass from Jacob Martineu at 4:37 of the third period.
Bonnyman and fellow forwards Griffen Boyle and Maxime Morin signed with the Spirit last summer from the Ajax-Pickering Raiders AAA U18 program.
“It’s awesome here,” said the 17-year-old from neighbouring Uxbridge. “All the guys are playing the way they are supposed to, buying into the system. We’re really playing as a team. It’s an unreal environment to be a part of.”
“Over here they treat you so well. It’s a great group of guys.”
All Spirit rookies are paired with a veteran player. In Bonnyman’s case it’s third-year forward Riley Pope.
“Such a pleasure,” said Bonnyman of Pope. “Great guy. Great player. I really look up to him on and off the ice. Just an amazing role model who inspires me.”
The Spirit are in sixth-place in the tightly-packed 12-team East Conference of the OJHL, just five points out of second place.
FIMIS ON THE MOVE
Andoni Fimis, who starred on the Spirit defence last season, has joined the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The member of the OJHL’s 2024 First All-Prospects Team began the year at Cowichan Valley in the BCHL. He committed to NCAA Division Vermont while a member of the Spirit. Andoni and the Knights will play his older brother, Pano, and the Erie Otters Dec. 18 in Erie.
SCHOOL CHALLENGE
Spirit players will be making a couple of appearances at Oscar Peterson Public School this winter. On Dec. 18, the Spirit will take on the Oscar Peterson staff at the Hoover Park Drive school. Players will return in the new year for a reading event.
CHURCH NIGHT WITH THE SPIRIT
St. James Presbyterian Church is holding its fourth Spirit Hockey Night Jan. 11. Members will dine at Spirit sponsor Boston Pizza that night before taking in the OJHL game at the Stouffville Arena.
THE SCHEDULE
Dec. 13, Stouffville at Trenton, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20, Stouffville at St. Michael’s (Toronto), 7 p.m.
Dec. 22, Stouffville at Pickering, 7:30 p.m.
*Next home game: Jan 9
All games broadcast on 102.9FM whistlefm.ca radio and FloHockey TV https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).
THE SCORES
Stouffville 6, Aurora 3, Dec 12
Maxime Morin scored at 2:43 of the first period, sending an avalanche of stuffed animals to the ice on Teddy Bear Toss night. But Aurora played tough, carrying a 3-2 lead late into the second period. The Spirit offence erupted for four straight goals. Player of the Game Nathan Windle scored his first two OJHL goals. Danny Thomakos and Josh Bonnyman had the others. Goaltender Kyle Downey earned his second win of the week.
Toronto Jr. Canadiens 2, Stouffville 1, 2OT, Dec. 8
Bonnyman had the lone Spirit goal in the latest instalment of this season’s tightly contested JRC-Spirit series played at the Scotiabank Pond in Downsview
Stouffville 7, Markham 6. Dec. 6
Veterans Lachlan Wells and Zack Corte each had two-goal games. This time the Spirit scored the game’s final three goals. Bonnyman scored, added two assists and earned player-of-the game honours.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon.
