PJHL Roundup: All-Star rosters named

By Lee Griffi

Ten players from area Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) teams have been named all-stars and will lace up for a game over the Christmas holidays in Tavistock.

The game will be held at the Tavistock Community Centre on Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. Braves general manager Brent Lange said the organization is excited to be hosting.

“Being able to showcase some of the top talent in Junior C hockey will be a fun game to come down and watch. It means home-ice advantage in the playoffs as well which will make the game a good one.”

Three Tavistock players will be represented including defenceman Carson Bernhardt.

“He is a great young d-man who has been a rock for us all year on the back end and putting up points. We also have forward Carter Arseneau who is a solid veteran for three years and is a kid who can play anywhere in our lineup and be effective. Then we have forward Tyler Brezynskie who was also selected. He is a veteran forward as well who has been with us for three years. He brings some grit and energy every night, no matter what role he is playing in the lineup.”

Lange added several other players could easily have been selected, but he is confident the chosen three will do well and represent the Braves proudly.

“It is also a great fundraiser for our hockey club to be able to do this. Bring the family and friends and come on down and watch some top-end Junior C hockey on Dec. 28. Let's fill the barn and make it a great afternoon,” he added.

New Hamburg has four players in the lineup; forwards Owen Bruder, Owen Fischer and Jake Thompson along with defenceman Matt Domm who decided to come back to the team during the season.

Wellesley will be represented by goalie Brandon Abbot, forward Demitri Eleftheriadis and defenceman Austin Stemmler.

Wellesley earns two points over Firebirds as part of perfect weekend

The head coaches of Wellesley and New Hamburg were expecting their respective teams to stick to hockey Saturday night, and that’s just what happened as the Applejacks earned a 4-3 shootout win on home ice.

When the two Doherty Division foes met on Nov. 30, they combined for 96 minutes in penalties, including seven majors. Wellesley goalie Brandon Abbot and New Hamburg netminder Liam O’Leary fought at centre ice and voluntarily removed their helmets. Both were given five-game suspensions but are due back on the ice Dec. 21.

The Applejacks led 3-2 late in the third but Keegan Metcalfe scored with three and a half minutes remaining to force the extra period where Firebird forward Boden White was awarded a penalty shot. He was stopped by Josh Jacklin. The only scorer in the shootout was Wellesley’s Kaelen McDougald. Owen Fischer led New Hamburg with a pair of points. Wellesley goal scorers were Eric Lacey, Boden White and McDougald. Owen Fischer, Jack MacDonald and Keegan Metcalf replied for the Firebirds.

On Friday, the Applejacks travelled to Tavistock and downed the struggling Braves 5-3. Wellesley had a balanced attack with five different scorers while Carson Bernhardt picked up a hat trick for the home team.

Wellesley edged Hespeler 2-1 on Sunday, completing a six-point sweep of weekend games.

Braves drop third in a row

Tavistock went to Norwich on Sunday and lost 6-2 to the Merchants. The Braves trailed 5-1 after two periods of play and picked up 53 penalty minutes including three 10-minute misconducts and three five-minute majors for fighting. Norwich earned 34 minutes in penalties and were also assessed three fighting majors.

Firebirds split weekend matchups

New Hamburg downed Hespeler 2-0 on Friday night at home. Newly acquired Deklan Jermol stopped all 27 shots he faced to earn the shutout victory. Ayden Norley and Aydan Burns scored for the Firebirds who remain two points ahead of second-place Norwich. The Merchants have a game in hand.