PJHL Roundup: Braves earn four valuable points to move into a share of third place

Justin McManus celebrates with young fans at the New Hamburg Firebirds’ game against the Woodstock Navy Vets on Dec. 12. McManus scored the lone New Hamburg goal in the team’s 2-1 loss. Alec Richard photo

By Lee Griffi

A pair of wins over the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Doherty Division cellar-dwellers was just what the doctor ordered for Tavistock as they took both ends of a home-and-home with Dorchester.

The weekend kicked off with a 9-2 drubbing of the Dolphins at home on Friday, a game that saw Yann Raskin, Evan Palubeski, Ryan McKellar and Carter Arseneau earn four points each, with rookie Nolan Miller chipping in with a pair of goals and two helpers for Keaton Bartlett. Tavistock led 3-0 after the first period and 5-1 after 40 minutes. Arsenault picked up his 100th career point in his 147th game as a Brave.

It was a different story on Saturday in Dorchester as the Dolphins led 3-2 after the opening period but were outscored by the visitors 3-1 the rest of the way. The home team took a 4-3 lead early in the second before a late goal by Palubeski pulled the Braves to within one going into the third. Tavistock would score three times in a five-minute span in the final frame – Ethan Stover with the tying goal, Carson Bernhardt with the game-winner and then Feli Isert-Bender with an insurance marker.

Tavistock captain Marc Dionne said bouncing back from a three-game losing skid was a big deal for the Braves.

“Even though we were playing Dorchester back-to-back, it was still going to be a challenge for us. Every team in this league can win hockey games and knowing that, it was important that we stepped up. Running away with four points put us in a really good spot going into this next weekend against New Hamburg and Norwich being that we’re battling for third.”

The Braves have made several roster moves in recent weeks, something that can be difficult when it comes to adjusting to new faces. Dionne said the new recruits have fit in well.

“Adding two veterans like Ethan Stover and Keegan Metcalf has been a huge help on the ice and in the dressing room. Both players know what it takes to win and that’s going to be crucial as we start the second half of the season going into the playoffs.” 

Dionne said his new teammates have shown tremendous leadership qualities in the room, which has helped his leadership.

“Most of the guys we have gotten know at least a couple of the Braves which helps them to feel more comfortable and gives them more confidence to be themselves in the locker room, on the bus and around the team in general. We have a tight group and even with the changes that we’ve made, I’m really excited to see where this second half takes us.”

The Braves were in first place in the Doherty Division to start the season, something the captain said has been tough on the team, but also something that motivates them to be better.

“I’ve been really happy with the way we’ve committed to our systems and to what the coaches have been talking about. Its getting to that time of the season where we need to all be on the same page and throughout these past couple weekends, I’ve been able to see that. One of the areas I feel like we still need to improve on is being engaged and working hard for 60 minutes every single night. There’s been games where we’ve taken periods off and that has cost us in the long run. Being able to start games with intensity and grit while being able to maintain that for three periods is the one key that will open the door to a lot more success as we get towards playoffs.”

New Hamburg split its two weekend games, beginning with a home-ice loss to division-leading Woodstock on Friday night.

After a scoreless first, Justin McManus gave the Firebirds a 1-0 lead 45 seconds into the second period and that lead held until Owen Ireton tied it up with 43 seconds left in the frame. Charley Barnes scored the game-winning goal for the Navy Vets 37 seconds into the third period.

On Sunday, the Firebirds hosted Dorchester for a rare Sunday home game where they managed to earn a 5-3 come-from-behind victory. Josh Soulliere gave New Hamburg a 1-0 lead with 13 seconds left in the first period, then Ben Oliver made it 2-0 early in the second, but the Dolphins would score three consecutive goals to take a 3-2 lead into the final frame.

Oliver, with his second, Soulliere, with the game-winner, and captain Andrew Gear scored third-period goals to complete the comeback as Connor Harmon stopped 33 of 36 shots he faced to earn his fifth win of the season.

Wellesley split its two games on the weekend, ending with a 3-2 overtime home-ice victory on Saturday. Ben Morton tallied the winner 26 seconds into the extra period. Rhys McCloskey and Ian Spieran also scored for the Applejacks in a game where the two teams combined for just six penalty minutes.

Wellesley travelled to Norwich on Friday and found themselves down 3-0 late in the second period. Kaelan McDougald scored his first goal of the season in the third as the Applejacks were outshot 8-5 in the final frame.