Exeter Hawks topple Thamesford in home opener

Jonas Schmidt lines up the game winning goal during the Exeter Hawks’ home opener Sept. 11 against the Thamesford Trojans.

By Dan Rolph

The Exeter Hawks started the 2026-2027 season of hockey on a high note after coming out on top of a matchup against the Thamesford Trojans Sept. 11 at the South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter.

Exeter’s Trey Taylor was first on the scoreboard with a goal for the Hawks at 9:12 in the first period, assisted by Chase Wedlake. Hawk Blake Jankovich was next on the board at 11:56 in the second period, though Kyle Dolmage of the Trojans replied with Thamesford’s first goal of the night about a minute later.

Without just over five minutes remaining in the second frame, Jonas Schmidt scored a third goal for the Hawks. With Connor Clark scoring one more for the Trojans at 3:19 in the third period, the home opener was wrapped up with Exeter ahead 3-2.

The Hawks went on to host the Petrolia Flyers in Exeter Sept. 18 in a high-scoring matchup. Exeter held a commanding lead in the first period with three goals, and though the Sailors started chipping away at that lead in the second period, the Hawks continued their scoring to counter Petrolia’s attempts at evening the odds.

By the final buzzer, the Hawks were ahead 10-6, in part thanks to a hat trick from Jonas Schmidt, who had a strong five-point game.

Coming off two wins, the Exeter Hawks travelled to Parkhill on Sept. 19 to play the North Middlesex Stars.

Though the first frame was goalless, the Stars hit the ground running in the beginnings of the second period with a short-handed goal. Exeter’s Harrison Meulensteen replied about five minutes later on the power play, tying the game, but the Stars’ Noah Vandenburg was successful on the power play at 11:35.

With just over 30 seconds left in the period, Exeter’s Justin Skirten tied the match, assisted by Trey Taylor and Chase Wedlake.

The third period started strong for the Hawks with Jayce Durand pushing Exeter ahead with a goal at 15:04, but with five minutes left in the match, the Stars evened the scoreboard again.

But an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Exeter’s Ty Wheeler made the opening for the Stars to push ahead as Vandenburg scored the night’s final goal on the power play, bringing the match to a close with North Middlesex winning 4-3.

The Exeter Hawks are scheduled to play the Petrolia Flyers at the Greenwood Recreation Centre Sept. 24 and will host the Aylmer Spitfires Sept. 25 in Exeter.