Navy Vets shine at PJHL all-star game in Tavistock

The Woodstock Navy Vets were represented at the PJHL Southern Conference All-Star Game by Charley Barnes, Cooper Vickerman, Owen Ireton and Tyler Bouck. (@andrew_vaneverymedia photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Woodstock Navy Vets were well represented on Sunday afternoon in Tavistock at the South Conference All-Star Game.

The Doherty Division outscored the Bloomfield Division 10 – 7, meaning the Doherty playoff winning team will have home-ice advantage for the conference final series.

Defenceman Charley Barnes was outstanding, scoring a shorthanded goal while adding three assists. Cooper Vickerman added an assist, and while Owen Ireton was held off the scoresheet, he played well in the win. Tyler Bouck started the game and stopped 26 of the 30 shots he faced in 30 minutes of action.

Vets hang on to first place after weekend split

Woodstock played a pair of games last weekend, starting with a 5-2 loss in Tavistock on Friday.

Ryan Choi scored his first of the season to give the Navy Vets an early 1-0 but the Braves bounced back and led 3-1 by the 57-second mark of the third period. Liam Gorman made it 3-2 but Tavistock sealed the win with powerplay and empty net goals.

Woodstock bounced back on Saturday with a 5-3 victory in Dorchester. Kyle Arthur led the attack with his second and third goals of the season while Barnes added two assists. Ireton, Connor Stanley and Ethan Markle also scored for the Navy Vets who hold a two-point lead on Wellesley heading into weekend play.

First place is on the line Friday as Woodstock hosts the Applejacks and it doesn’t get any easier on Saturday afternoon as the Navy Vets travel to New Hamburg.

Woodstock makes roster moves before league deadline

The Navy Vets made a few changes, including acquiring hometown defenceman Will Wright for a player development fee from the GOHL’s St. Marys Lincolns where he picked up four points in 26 games.

Woodstock also added forward Luca Morra from the Caledon Bombers of the GOHL and sent Rashaad Eichenberg to the Grimsby Peach Kings.

The Navy Vets also signed 19-year-old defenceman and Oakville native Ryan Choi. He spent last season with the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL. At the same time, the team released local product Austin Doolittle who had four goals in 26 games.