Champion Chiefs win home opener in Lakefield
Schmalz Cup banner raised to rafters before game against Amherstview
The Lakefield Chiefs celebrated their 2018 Schmalz Cup championship one last time before getting to work on trying to win another on Saturday night.
Seven of the 13 players not back from last year’s team were on hand for opening ceremonies of the 2018-19 home opener where they unveiled the new championship banner in the LakefieldSmith Community Centre rafters. About 250 fans turned out for a pre-game tailgate party and fan appreciation event.
The Chiefs proceeded to beat the Amherstview Jets 5-1 to improve to 2-1 on the PJHL Orr Division season after opening with a pair of road games, a 3-2 loss in Uxbridge on Sept. 14 and a 9-0 win in Georgina on Friday night.
“It’s something special for sure,” the Chiefs’ new captain, Braeden Kublick, said of the banner. “It was a lot of hard work that paid off. We’ve had this marked off on the calendar for a while.”
Chiefs president Don Dunford said it’s special to celebrate two Ontario championships in four years, referring to their 2014 Schmalz Cup.
“It’s really special and to win it in a four-year span is really special,” said Dunford. “A lot of teams never win a championship. I know the guys are already working hard and pumped for this season.”
Despite a 50 per cent turnover of the roster everyone in the organization is excited about the possibilities of this season. They’ve recruited some strong local players from Ennismore and Peterborough and acquired some skilled out-of-town players. Twelve players are back from last year including starting goalie Michael Christie and almost the entire defence.
“We have a good core of returning guys and a lot of new guys who fit well into our systems. We look like we’re going to be a good team again,” said Kublick.
“Everyone is looking forward to another good season,” said Dunford. “From what I can see with the returnees and players we’ve picked up we’re going to be a pretty good hockey club. The consensus seems to be we’re missing a bit of scoring up front but you don’t win any championships in September. I’m sure along the way before deadlines come along we’ll maybe acquire some of that scoring touch.”
New this year is an interlocking schedule with the Tod Division teams like Amherstview. They’ll play a home and away game against each of the Tod teams. Chiefs GM Tyler Revoy expects it will add some interest to the league and variety for fans.
“Instead of playing Little Britain or Georgina seven times we’ll play each of the Tod Division teams twice,” said Revoy. “We never played those teams before in the regular season. Last year we played Port Hope in the conference final but we hadn’t seen them all year. It took two or three games to figure them out. This year we’ll get to see those teams.”
Amherstview captain Joey Mayer opened the scoring before Lakefield scored five unanswered goals. The Chiefs broke open a 1-1 game with three goals 6:11 apart midway through the second period. Jeff Hawthorne had a goal and assist while Cole Robbins, Zac Treen, James Allen and Tarren Jank also scored. Adding assists were Carson Hartwick, Dalton Smith and Jesse Merrill. Christie got the win with Lakefield outshooting the Jets 33-11.
On Friday, the Chiefs exploded offensively with Treen scoring a hat trick. Newcomer Smith had a goal and four assists, Hawthorne a goal and two helpers. Ethan Young and William Keith had goal and assist. Merrill and Hartwick also scored. Riley Wade, Cole Ellis, Allen and Robbins had assists. Andrew Barwinski made 15 saves to collect his first career win and shutout.
The Chiefs host the Campbellford Rebels at 7:25 p.m. Tuesday.