Bruins bounce back big as LumberJacks and Merchants split weekend

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

After suffering their first defeat of the 2025-26 season last weekend, the Uxbridge Bruins returned to form with two commanding victories, while the Port Perry LumberJacks and Little Britain Merchants each went one-and-one.

The Bruins opened their weekend on Friday night at the Bear Den with an 11-1 rout of the Schomberg Cougars. Uxbridge struck early and often, with Tucker Roberts, Darin Bain, and Ryan Shier each scoring in the first period. Evan Gilbert, Tanner Ryan, and Colin Glecoff also found the back of the net, helping the Bruins establish a decisive lead by the end of the opening frame. Schomberg managed a lone goal in the second period, but Uxbridge responded with four unanswered goals to close out the game. Robby DiMaria made 21 saves to secure the win.

Uxbridge carried the momentum into Sunday afternoon’s road game against the Caledon Golden Hawks, shutting them out 5-0. Ryan Shier led the scoring with a pair of goals, while Luke Kemp, Colin Glecoff, and Evan Gilbert, playing in his 100th PJHL regular season game, added single tallies. Kevin Halloran earned his first shutout of the season, remaining undefeated between the pipes.

Meanwhile, the Little Britain Merchants hosted the Port Perry LumberJacks on Saturday night and came away with a 5-2 victory. Nathaniel Dugwell scored twice for the Merchants, while Mitchell Yates, Tyler Johnston, and Rheydan McCoy added singles, including a late empty-net goal to seal the win. Port Perry’s goals came from Liam Rampersad and Raine Nadeau.

The LumberJacks bounced back on Sunday at Scugog Arena, doubling up the visiting Georgina Ice 6-3. Kyle Den Ouden, Brady McPhail, Liam Rampersad, and Parker Lemay (who scored twice) contributed offensively, with Jacob Sharpe also finding the scoresheet. The LumberJacks overcame an early Georgina lead, with strong second- and third-period efforts ensuring the win.

Overall, it was an action-packed weekend for the three local Provincial Junior Hockey League teams. Uxbridge’s dominant performances solidified their early-season momentum, while Port Perry and Little Britain showed flashes of resilience and skill in tightly contested games.

The action continues this weekend as the Bruins return to the Bear Den at 7:45 p.m. on Friday night to host the Georgina Ice. The Merchants welcome the Caledon Golden Hawks on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., while the LumberJacks and Ice close out the weekend with a rematch at Scugog Arena on Sunday at 2:25 p.m.