Chiefs win opener
Lakefield off to a good start in Jr. C hockey season
ENNISMORE – The Lakefield Chiefs presented a new product on and off ice in Ennismore on Tuesday night.
They opened their OHA Central Junior C season against the Georgina Ice in the Ennismore Community Centre at the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex and it started with a 6-4 win behind Aaron Vatcher’s four goals in front of 200 fans.
They also unveiled a new sponsor in Hendren Funeral Homes, replacing Scott Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons Towing and Repair.
They played in Ennismore because their regular home of the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre wasn’t ready yet. It will be this Tuesday when hey host North Kawartha.
According to Chiefs president Don Dunford, Scott Fitzsimmons left on his own accord and Scott Davidson of Hendren Funeral Homes expressed interest in assuming the role.
“It was his (Fitzsimmons) decision and he just wanted to get out of it for now,” said Dunford. “I think he wanted to spend more time at home. We can’t thank him enough for what he did. Scott (Davidson) is a local guy and has expressed interest before.’’
The on-ice Chiefs have a different look this season as 10 players are back from last year’s squad.
New goaltender Brad Smith, a AAA minor Petes graduate, got the start and was fairly steady.
“We did a good job capitalizing on our chances and fed off each other,” said Vatcher, who added an assist. “It was a good start.”
The Chiefs led 2-1 after the first period on goals by Vatcher and Brady Osborne while Bradley Boudreau countered the Ice.
They upped their advantage to 3-1 at 12 minutes of the second period when Vatcher tallied his second of the night, Lakefield’s first power play tally of the campaign.
The Ice enjoyed a two-man advantage in the final minute of the middle frame and scored with seven seconds left to get back in it. Mark Gavrilov got the marker and they carried a power play into the start of the third, down one at 3-2.
The Chiefs doubled their lead to 4-2 when Vatcher scored his third of the game early in the third period.
The Ice didn’t roll over and got right back in it to trail by one at 4-3 by four minutes and it was 4-4 at six minutes. Gavrilov scored but the other scorer’s name was unavailable.
Vatcher notched his fourth at 12 minutes, Jeff Hawthorne scored a minute later and the hosts were ahead by two at 6-4.
“It wasn’t the way we drew it up and but came back and it’s a win,’’ said Lakefield head coach Jamie Arcand. “We made a lot of mistakes but it was our first game. Aaron had a great game and we have playmakers. We are a defensive minded team and will get better.’’
Next action for Lakefield is in Port Perry Sunday.
Drawing assists for the Chiefs were Josh Duggan, Keenan Runnalls, Jordan MacLean, Eric Oosting and Jack Vautour.