PJHL roundup: Braves off to solid start with a pair of victories

Tavistock alternate captain Carter Arseneau played a key role in two weekend victories for the Braves. He picked up three goals and six points in two victories over the Paris Mounties. Contributed photo

By Lee Griffi

If the first two games of the season are any indication, the Tavistock Braves will compete for the top few spots in the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Doherty Division.

They also might end up having one of the top lines around.

Carter Arseneau, Evan Palubeski and Yann Raskin combined for nine points in the team’s 6-2 season and home-opening win over Paris, and six points in Saturday’s rematch on the road.

“We will obviously take the four points. The boys did a good job in third periods to get the job done,” said head coach Zac Berg. “Outside of the third period in both games, I didn’t think we played up to our expectations at all. There is a lot to improve on in all three zones of the ice, specifically the D-zone as we cannot rely on our goalies to be perfect every night.” 

The Braves signed a pair of new goalies this season after inconsistent play in 2024-2025. Berg said the team has confidence in both newcomers and they are off to great starts.

“I thought Richard (Blake) brought his calm veteran presence on Friday night and didn’t allow many second opportunities. (Andrew) Torchia on Saturday kept us in that game and made some big, key saves throughout that whole game. That was his first junior win of many.” 

Arseneau leads the Braves with six points, good for second in the league. Berg said his alternate captain put in the hard work during the summer.

“He appears to have had a very productive off-season and looks quicker this year. He understands the important role he plays for our team, and maintaining consistency throughout the season will be key for him.”

Palubeski, the former Cambridge Redhawk, picked up five points on the weekend while Raskin added four. Nolan Miller and Tucker Otto also scored their first junior goals.

Berg explained winning is always a good way to start the season and it’s great for morale.

“We were excited to get the two points in our home opener and then steal two points on the road in theirs. At the same time, the group knows we’ve got another level to our game. It’s only the first weekend, so we can’t get too high on ourselves. The focus is on building and getting better each night.”

Next action for Tavistock is Friday night at home as they host Wellesley.

New Hamburg dropped both of its opening weekend games. The Firebirds dropped a 7-6 decision in Norwich on Friday in overtime, then lost 3-2 in overtime in Wellesley on Saturday. New Hamburg trailed the Merchants 5-0 by the 14-minute mark of the second period but roared back to tie the game at six with five third-period markers.

Stuart Sinclair scored the game-winning goal for the Applejacks two minutes into the extra period on a pass from Ian Gedney. Spencer Davidson and Ben Morton gave Wellesley a 2-0 lead before Sachary Olson and Owen Bruder scored for the Firebirds to force overtime.

Wellesley opened the season in Woodstock and lost 7-3 to the Navy Vets. Morton, Rhyse McCloskey and Luke Schofield scored in the losing effort.

The Applejacks host Woodstock on Saturday while the Firebirds take on Hespeler on Friday.