Delhi Flames finding their way in the OEHL

Delhi Flames’ Mike Norris defends in front of goalie Caleb Ursu.

Chris Abbott

Editor

Midway through their inaugural OEHL men’s senior hockey season, the Delhi Flames are looking at two of their closest rivals looking to make up ground.

“It’s a work in progress, guys are coming around,” said Flames co-coach Rob Hutchison after a 5-0 loss to the Erin Outlaws in Delhi Saturday night.

Erin scored one in the first period, two in the second, including a power play, and added two more in the third, taking advantage of a mobile blue line and speedy forwards. Travis Brown led the Outlaws with a pair of goals.

“Our guys just have to get used to that style of hockey – and it’s coming,” said Hutchison. “With new guys, it’s a little different and we’re trying to ‘turn a corner.’ It’ll get there.”

The first and third periods were evenly played with both teams shutting down the rush game.

“We try to slow the team down, we have to.”

The Flames, who have three returning players from the 2024-25 season – Andrew Tapsell, assistant captain Bhrett Hibbert, and captain Brendan Briggs – were playing with a short bench Saturday night after an early second-period game misconduct (fighting), a knee injury and shoulder injury.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that are working hard… and we had some good chances,” Hutchison noted. “They’re taking the shots when they need to now, whereas early in the season, it was trying to make too fancy of a play. Keeping it simple is the main thing for us right now and that’s what we have to stick to.”

Delhi goalie Caleb Ursu was busy facing 40 shots, including a 16-shot second period. Erin Outlaws goalie Connor Toogood stopped 25 Delhi shots for the shutout.

“We’ve got two great goalies, between Caleb Ursu and Cameron Huff, we really do,” said Hutchison.

Still looking for their first win, the Flames are finding their way in the Ontario Elite Hockey League.

“It’s a great league. I think it’s competitive hockey, a lot of good teams, and it’s a good step up,” said Hutchison. “Anybody can beat anybody at any time and I think everybody’s been fairly equal.

“We’re going to keep going, keep plugging away.”

The Flames travel to Tillsonburg on Dec. 6 to face the eighth-place Thunder (3-9-0). Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.