PJHL Roundup: Applejacks hang on to top spot as Braves ready for big player signing

Wellesley Applejacks’ defenceman Riley Noble battles with Tavistock Braves’ forward Nolan Miller for a loose puck during the Applejacks’ win over the Braves on Nov. 21. Noble scored one of Wellesley’s four third-period goals as they came back from being down 3-1 to beat the Braves 5-3. Alec Richard photo

By Lee Griffi

Wellesley solidified its hold on first place in the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Doherty Division thanks to a 5-3 victory in Tavistock on Friday night.

After a scoreless first period, the Braves took a 1-0 lead early in the second on a goal from Ryan McKellar. Luke Schofield tied it up four minutes later but goals from Yann Raskin and Tyler Brezynskie gave Tavistock a 3-1 lead heading into the third.

Wellesley exploded for four goals in six minutes, including the game-winning marker by Ian Speiran at the 9:20 mark. Spencer Davidson, Riley Noble and Boden White also found the back of the net for the Applejacks. Keaton Bartlett chipped in with two assists in a losing effort.

“We had a good 40 minutes, but we let off the gas for the last 20,” said Tavistock general manager Brent Lange. “It was a period I’d like to forget, but still some positives to take away. It just shows we have to play a full 60 minutes, especially on a one-game weekend.”

The Braves are sitting in third place in the division, five points behind the first-place Wellesley Applejacks with two games in hand.

“I would say the team is playing at a seven, maybe eight out of 10 level. There are always things to improve on, whether it’s a couple of things up front or on the back end,” said Lange, who added he likes what he sees off the ice with the team.

“We have a close, tight-knit group in the dressing room. It’s refreshing, it’s fun and everything is positive.”

He added the mood following Friday’s loss shows exactly how much his team wants to win.

“I love it when the kids hate to lose. You don’t like hearing laughter after a loss, and there isn’t any more. All we hear is what we can do better next game.”

Just six points separate first from fourth in the division, and 15 points from first to last. The West Yeck is the only other division as tight, with a 17-point difference from first to last.

The Braves are expected to make a major player signing announcement late this week. Lange said he can’t release any details, but he’s excited about who’s coming.

“It’s going to be very good for our team. He’s a hell of a player who is going to provide a really good 200-foot game for us and he’s got some good buddies on our team. It all came together and everything is positive there.”

Wellesley rounded out the weekend with a 5-4 overtime win in Dorchester on Sunday. Rhyse McCloskey scored the winning goal 63 seconds into the extra period to give the Applejacks their fourth straight victory. Wellesley led 3-1 after 20 minutes but the Dolphins scored three straight times to take a 4-3 lead until Hudson Parker’s late third-period goal forced overtime.

New Hamburg split its two weekend games, starting with a 6-2 loss in Woodstock on Friday. Ben Oliver scored twice for the Firebirds in the losing effort, but on Saturday, they bounced back with a 6-2 victory in Norwich. Oliver led the way again with a goal and two assists while captain Andrew Gear had two points. Deklan Jermol stopped 45 of 47 shots from the Merchants to earn the win.