LumberJacks launch PJHL season with weekend sweep

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

The Port Perry LumberJacks kicked off their 2025–26 Provincial Junior Hockey League campaign with an impressive two-win weekend, including a dominant home opener, at Scugog Arena.

On Saturday, September 13th, the LumberJacks opened their season on the road with a 4–3 victory over the Little Britain Merchants. Liam Aitken got things started with a shorthanded goal, midway through the first period, and the Jacks quickly doubled their lead, when Jacob Sharpe converted, just 38 seconds later.

In the second period, Port Perry padded its lead with a powerplay marker, from Andrew Naccarato-Soule, and an even-strength tally, by Raine Nadeau. Little Britain chipped away with a goal, from Filip Djordevic, late in the frame, before a third-period push saw Kyle Allan score twice. However, the comeback fell just short, with Port Perry netminder Ryan Jacobs making 23 saves to preserve the victory.

“It was a good road win to start the year, but we know we can’t sit back once we have a lead,” said head coach Doug Parkin. “Ryan gave us some big saves down the stretch, and that was the difference.”

The following afternoon, Sunday, September 14th, the LumberJacks skated onto home ice, for their season debut at Scugog Arena, and gave fans plenty to cheer about, with an emphatic 8–1 triumph in the rematch.

Eight different LumberJacks recorded points, in the first period alone, with goals from Dylan Leslie, Braedyn Vannetten on the powerplay, and Aitken, who added his second shorthanded tally in as many games. Sharpe then took over the scoring sheet, in the middle frame, netting a pair, to complete his first hat trick of the season. Leslie added his second of the afternoon, in the third, and rookie Parker Lemay capped the scoring late in the contest.

Goaltender Eamon Callaghan turned aside 27 shots for the win.

“The energy in the rink was unbelievable,” said Sharpe, who finished the weekend with four goals. “We wanted to set the tone at home, and the fans really gave us a boost.”

For Leslie, the weekend was extra special, after scoring twice in the home opener. “It means a lot, to play here because my dad wore this jersey years ago,” he said. “Putting a couple in the net at Scugog felt like carrying on a family tradition.”

The LumberJacks now turn their attention to a busy upcoming week, with a road matchup against the Schomberg Cougars, on Thursday, September 18th, before returning home for a marquee clash against the Uxbridge Bruins, on Sunday, September 21st. The 2:25 p.m. faceoff, at Scugog Arena, marks the first ‘Battle of North Durham’ of the new season.

“We know, that rivalry game is always circled on the calendar,” said captain Raine Nadeau. “We’ll be ready to bring our best on Sunday.”