Spirit players distributed poppies on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion outside Stouffville retail locations Sunday. The Legion colour party will take part in pre-game ceremonies at the Spirit home game Nov. 11. (Toby Scott-Long photo)
It’s a busy time for the Stouffville Spirit, on and off the ice.
The Spirit, which lost 2-1 to the Haliburton County Huskies in Minden Tuesday night, returns to game action at home this Saturday. The colour party from Stouffville Branch 459 of the Royal Canadian Legion will take part in a pregame Remembrance Day ceremony.
Spirit players worked with the Legion to distribute poppies around the community for the third year Sunday.
Some of their teammates took part in Storytime with the Spirit at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library. The sessions continue Nov. 12 and 19 from 1 to 2 p.m.
This Sunday, players will team up with the Lions Club of Stouffville for their third annual Coats for Kids collection. Drop gently used winter clothing, boots, mittens and gloves between 12 and 4 p.m. at the entrances to the Stouffville Arena and Clippers Complex.
“It’s good to be busy,” Spirit governor and general manager Ken Burrows said. “We’re honoured to play in this community and work with wonderful organizations like the Lions, the Legion and our public library.”
THE TEAM
Burrows, who began his Spirit career as a scout in the late 1990s, likes his team. A lot.
“They stick together, even when things aren’t going their way,” said Burows. “The work ethic and the attitude is really good. This is a really good group and hopefully we can add something before Christmas to help them out.”
THE SKED
North York at Stouffville, Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Stouffville at Trenton, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
All Spirit games are broadcast on FloHockey. Go to: https://www.flohockey.tv/
THE SCORES
Haliburton County Huskies 2, Spirit 1, Nov. 7
Spirit captain Odaro Ewere scored shorthanded in the first period but the hometown Huskies did the remainder of the scoring, handing Stouffville its second straight ‘one-goal’ loss on the road.
Toronto Jr. Canadiens 3, Spirit 1, Nov. 4
The Spirit outshot JRC in Toronto but couldn’t overcome a 2-0 deficit. Lachlan Wells scored for the Spirit in the third period before the home team iced the game with an empty-netter.
Spirit 2, Wellington Dukes 0, Nov. 2
Former OHL goaltender Kyle Downey went to 4-0-0-0 while recording his first shutout in a Spirit uniform. Ewere and Wells scored.
NOTEBOOK
Members of Stouffville’s renowned Men of Note Chorus will sing the national anthem before some Spirit games this year. Soloist Susan Ryman has the honours first, on Nov. 11…in the battle of the Breckles brothers, Spirit rookie forward Evan Breckles won out over older brother Jacob, an assistant coach with Wellington, on Thursday.
TRANSACTIONS
Alex Whitney to the Little Britain Merchants
Matteo Gennaro to the Stayner Siskins
“These are both really good kids,” Burrows said. “It was tough to move on from both of them.”
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon
