Lakefield Chiefs hoping third time’s the charm
LAKEFIELD -- The Lakefield Chiefs are hoping the third time is the charm.
Two years in a row the Clarington Eagles have eliminated the Chiefs from the PJHL Orr Division playoffs but there is reason to think that could end this year. The teams will kick off their best-of-seven Cougar Cup league final 7:25 p.m. Friday at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre. Game 2 is in Bowmanville 6:50 p.m. Sunday.
This is the best Chiefs team they’ve had since their 2014 OHA Schmalz Cup victory finishing first overall with a 32-7-2 record five points ahead of third place Clarington who were 30-10-2. The Chiefs had a 4-1-1 record against Clarington this season including 3-0-1 in Bowmanville.
While Clarington finished 8-1-1 after adding three players from the Uxbridge Bruins at the trade deadline, the Chiefs were also 8-1-1 down the stretch.
Clarington is a much improved team from the one Lakefield handled in four of five games prior to the trades. Their last meeting was a 3-3 tie on Jan. 12.
“We’ve been on the losing end of our series against them the last two years so it’s about time we changed the tide,” said Chiefs head coach Jamie Arcand. “The kids who have been through this the last couple of years have been talking about that a lot and discussing with our rookies how upset they were the last two seasons losing to these guys. Hopefully, that bodes well for us and the younger guys jump on board because the older guys really want it.”
Arcand also feels better about this year’s team which blends veteran standouts like Eric Oosting, Aaron Vatcher, Jeff Hawthorne, Nick Hildenbrand and goalie Michael Christie with impressive newcomers like Lyndon LeMoire, Tarren Jank, Mitch Ogilvie and Ethan McDougall.
“We have a way deeper team than Lakefield Chiefs' Brady Osborne fights for the puck against North Kawartha Knights' Nick Mann during PJHL action on Dec. 20 at LakefieldSmith Community Centre. Game 1 of the Lakefield Chiefs-Clarington Eagles PJHL Orr Division final series is Friday night in Lakefield. we did last year,” said Arcand.
He said the two teams similar.
“They rely on some good goaltending and have lots of skill and speed up front. I’d say they’re a little more experienced on the backend where we’re a little younger. They might have a little bit of an edge there but as far as talent, skill and intangibles we’re right there with them,” Arcand said.
Clarington has been tough to beat since adding Patrick Bolahood, Liam Timewell and Brady Baker from Uxbridge. The Chiefs added Brent Patterson from North Kawartha Knights, Brett Thomson and Matthew McIntyre from the Georgina Ice.
“It boosted their lineup and it seems like ever since they got those kids they’ve been on a tear,” he said.
Both teams are coming off tough six-game semifinals. The Chiefs have had a week since eliminating are Uxbridge. The Eagles ended their series against the Port Perry Mojacks on Tuesday. The Bruins pushed Lakefield in all but one game, a 7-0 opening game win for Lakefield.
“Every game after that could have gone either way,” Arcand said. “Looking at it now I’m glad it went the way it did and that it didn’t go four straight. As much as it would have been nice to have that rest, It gave us preparation for a longer series of six or seven games which is what we expect from Clarington.”
The only injury concern for Lakefield is Thomson who suffered a concussion in a work accident. He missed the Uxbridge series and his status is unclear.
“We’re hoping maybe sometime during the series we can get him back but we don’t want to push it,” said Arcand. “He’s the sort of veteran presence you can really use on the blue-line.”
Another year of short track racing action is just around the corner as Petterborough Speedway celebrates half a century of entertaining Central Ontario fans.
There will be electrifying action from the drop of the opening night green flag right through the final checkers at the Autumn Colours Classic at the Mount Pleasant road track just west of the city.
Track owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse and his promotional team were hard at work throughout the off-season to put together a program that will feature weekly battles with the 4Fun, Mini Stock, Renegade Truck, Thunder Car and Late Model divisions, as well as some of the top touring series from across Ontario.
And now the Peterborough Speedway has released its 2017 schedule.
Things get rolling with the Country 105 Season Opener – featuring free spectator grandstand general admission – on May 20. There will also be a trio of Fan Appreciation Nights – presented by Pepsi – June 3, July 8 and Aug. 19, where grandstand general admission is $2and there will be a driver autograph session at the intermission.
When the action starts, special guest divisions will complement the home track heroes. The INEX Ontario Legends will be on hand for seven events, while the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series will be part of a half a dozen shows. The Pro Challenge Series will also be back for a pair of dates. Fans will see the return of the popular OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models at the August 5th Chase for the Colours show and at the Autumn Colours Classic. The OSCAAR Midget and Pro Midget divisions will be on hand for a pair of regular season starts. The APC Pro Late Models and Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series are on the agenda for June 17 and Aug. 12 respectively.
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, Peterborough Speedway will also present a series of 50 lap main events for its home track divisions. There will also be additional promotions and special events announced in the weeks leading up to the season opener. Fans can get a copy of the 2017 schedule this weekend at the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo at the International Centre in Toronto. The track will also have displays at the Peterborough Home, Cottage and Country Show – March 31 to April 2 – at the Evinrude Centre and at the Lindsay Square Mall, April 23 to 30.
Bullring bullet points: Keep on top of all the 50th Anniversary news at Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval by logging onto www. peterboroughspeedway.com, liking the track on Facebook or following it on Twitter. Fans can also download the free Peterborough Speedway app on your Smartphone.
Peterborough Speedway will be part of the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo, this weekend at the International Centre in Toronto.