DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
The Uxbridge Bruins bounced back from a recent loss to Port Perry, with a remarkable weekend, which saw them take down division-leading Clarington, before a resounding win, at the Bear Den, over North Kawartha.
Looking to regroup, after a defeat at the hands of the archrival Lumberjacks, on Sunday, October 8th, the Bruins made a big splash, by pulling off a blockbuster trade, with the Little Britain Merchants. In a move, announced just hours before their game in Bowmanville, on Thursday, October 12th, the Bruins announced they had acquired two-time defending Orr Division Defensive Player of the Year, Owen Shier, in exchange for a four-player package and a player development fee. Heading to the Merchants are: defenceman Ilyas Hirji and forwards Brando Mancia, Sam Belman and Cohen Mackie.
“This was a tremendous opportunity for our club, to bring in one of the elite defensive players in the entire Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL). I think Owen’s track record speaks for itself, and we’re thrilled to be able to add him to our club,” explained, Bruins GM, Jay Simmonds. “We sent some good players the other way. But, we felt like it was a move [which] stands to benefit both clubs, and will allow those players heading to Little Britain a chance to maybe take on a bigger role, as they continue to improve their game.”
Shier would make an immediate impact for the Bruins, with the Sunderland resident registering a goal and an assist, as well as several stout defensive plays, in a thrilling 5-4 Uxbridge win over Clarington, in Bowmanville. The loss was the first for the Eagles, who had opened the season with eight straight wins.
Uxbridge opened the scoring less than four minutes into the action, with Quinn Meek netting his seventh goal of the season, assisted by Shier. The Eagles would reply shortly afterwards, before a Josh Czalij blast restored Uxbridge’s 2-1 advantage, just before the midway point of the first period.
The two teams traded scoring chances throughout the game, with, Uxbridge netminder, Andrew Claughton making several sensational saves, to keep the Eagles’ offence grounded through most of the second period. The two teams would trade goals in the last minute of the middle frame, to give Uxbridge a 3-2 lead heading into the dressing room, after Shier’s powerplay goal.
Early in the third period, Nolan Winter opened a 4-2 lead for Uxbridge, with a breakaway goal, before the Eagles replied with a pair of their own powerplay goals, to tie the match 4-4, and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
With time ticking away, and the Bruins enjoying a man-advantage, after the Eagles received a bench minor penalty, Anthony Lamanna darted to the net between two Clarington defenders. The puck bounced off the pad of the Clarington goalie, and onto the stick of a charging Ty Roberts, who fired the rebound into the net, to lift Uxbridge to a dramatic 5-4 victory.
The following night, the Bruins were back in action, at the Bear Den, as North Kawartha Knights made their first Friday-night visit to Uxbridge this season.
The more than 300 fans in attendance saw the Bruins score early and often, in a 6-2 win, with goals from Roberts, Blake Peters, Josh Hall, Lamanna and a pair from Jack Davis. Logan Carter stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced, as he picked up his third win and continued his unbeaten streak in goal, to start his junior hockey career.
Loose Pucks:
- With three game-winning goals in the season, Quinn Meek ranks third in the PJHL, while Anthony Lamanna also holds down third spot in the province, with six powerplay assists in the season.
- The Bruins are back in action, at the Bear Den, this Friday, October 20th, at 7:45 p.m., when they tangle with the Lakefield Chiefs.
- On Sunday, October 22nd, the Bruins head to Port Perry, for a 2:25 p.m. matinee match-up, in the Battle of North Durham, against the Lumberjacks.