Uxbridge Bruins’ winning streak continues as local teams light up the scoreboard

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

It was a busy weekend for local teams in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL).

The Uxbridge Bruins continued to impress, with back-to-back shutouts, while the Port Perry LumberJacks bounced back with a big win, and the Little Britain Merchants added another victory to their early-season resume.

The Bruins maintained their perfect start, to the 2025-26 season, with a dominant 7-0 road win over the Schomberg Cougars, on Thursday, October 23. Evan Gilbert opened the scoring midway through the first period, assisted by Nolan Winter and Tyson Lotton, and Trent Nobes added another, before the period ended. Colin Glecoff and Darin Bain extended the lead in the second, while Bain scored twice more in the third, including the final goal, assisted by Winter and Isaac Mengers. Goaltender Robby DiMaria was flawless, stopping all 16 shots he faced.

Friday night brought a showdown with archrival Port Perry LumberJacks, at the Bear Den, and the Bruins rose to the occasion, with a 3-0 victory. Darin Bain struck first, on a power play, followed by goals from Ryan Shier and Jordan Fitger. DiMaria picked up his second consecutive shutout, turning away all 22 shots.

“The guys are really buying into our system and playing hard every shift,” said, Uxbridge head coach, Dan West. “It’s been a great start, but we know there’s still a long season ahead and we have to keep working.” Uxbridge and the Alliston Hornets are now the only remaining undefeated teams in the province’s Carruthers Division. The Bruins host a Halloween match-up against the Caledon Golden Hawks, Friday night, at 7:45 p.m.

The LumberJacks rebounded on Sunday, during their annual “Mom’s Trip,” with a commanding 12-1 win over the Caledon Golden Hawks. Liam Aitken led the charge, with a hat trick, while Austin Fata and Nate Stapleton each added multiple goals. The team’s strong offensive showing included contributions from Parker Lemay, Aaron Dawson, and Kyle Den Ouden, among others. The LumberJacks return to Scugog Arena, on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2:25 p.m. to face the Clarington Eagles.

Little Britain Merchants also had a successful weekend, defeating Caledon 5-1. Tyler Johnston and Filip Djordevic scored in the first, followed by Curtis Misner and Kyle Allan in the second. Matt Godden added a short-handed goal in the third, before Caledon’s Aiden Wamboldt netted a lone goal. The Merchants host Uxbridge, on Saturday, November 1st, at 7:30 p.m.

It was a weekend of strong performances and high-scoring games, for local teams, with the Bruins remaining perfect, the LumberJacks finding their stride, and the Merchants continuing to impress. Hockey fans in the area have plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks.