PJHL Roundup: Braves on modest two-game win steak

By Lee Griffi

Tavistock kicked off 2025 with a 6-4 win over Woodstock last Friday night.

Jacob Reid-Brant led the attack with a pair of goals and two assists. Jack Hodge and Trent Davies added two points each while Kaden Lange stopped 35 of the 39 shots he faced including a penalty shot in the third period when the Braves led by a goal. The Navy Vets went two for 10 with the man advantage while the Braves went zero for five.

Tavistock’s last game before the Christmas break was an 8-6 come-from-behind victory in Paris. Liam Gorman scored three times to up his season total to seven. Ethan Sharpe, Davies, Tyler Brezynskie, Grady Murphy, Blair Stokes and Reid-Brant had two points each.

Braves general manager Brent Lange said the team has been heading in the right direction the past few weeks.

“We started out slow in Paris being down 3-0, 10 minutes into the game, and then were down 4-2 after the first period. The coaches flicked a switch, I will say, between periods that lit a good fire under the players. We came out and scored six goals in the next two periods to take an 8-6 win and go into the (Christmas) break with a win.”

Brent Lange added last Friday night’s efforts was solid from between the pipes out to the forward lines.

“Big goals at big times in the game, and big saves when needed and a big penalty shot save as well late in the game for a big win against Woodstock.”

Brent Lange said Gorman has been a solid addition for the team, averaging a point per game since joining in November.

“He's been able to put up decent number of points. And even if there is a game or two when he doesn't score, he still plays a big role for us in other areas that make us a better team. He plays both special-team roles for us and does a great job, and will be a big help down the stretch here.”

Gorman started well for the team but went on a five-point, scoreless drought. He came up big with three goals against Paris, yet Brent Lange said he doesn’t need to score to be a factor.

The GM added the play of Reid-Brant has also been solid recently.

“He can be a game changer game in and game out when he plays motivated like he has of late. He's been with the team for a couple of years now and getting in a good grove of late. Hopefully, that continues with him, as he is a great player on and off the ice.”

The Braves continue to lead the Doherty Division in penalty minutes with 706, one of the highest in the entire Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL). Tavistock gave Woodstock 10 power plays and took 44 penalty minutes in the game with Paris. Brent Lange said those numbers aren’t doing the team any favours.

“They do not help, obviously. We have a few players that will likely find themselves in the stands soon if they continue to take dumb, unnecessary penalties. We have been trying to stay on top of it and it will be a major topic for us in the second half.”

He added when chatting with other teams in the league, they are all on the same page in saying the refereeing has been inconsistent.

The Braves hosted one of the four PJHL All-Star games on Dec. 28 as the Doherty Division battled their   Bloomfield Division rivals. Normally, all-star games don’t mean much, but home-ice advantage in the playoffs was on the line.

“It was a good back-and-forth game, lots of great players out there making and creating plays which generated a lot of offence and some big saves from the goaltenders. We were down early in the game but battled back to take a commanding lead and a 7-3 win.”

Four-hundred fans took in the game, something Brent Lange said was a win for the Braves and everyone in attendance.

“It was a great day for our club and a big success all around for the players and their families who all came out to support them all. It did take a good amount of work to pull off, but with scheduling help from the arena staff and minor hockey’s help, we pulled it off,” said Brent Lange.

The PJHL trade deadline is this Friday at 7 p.m. and the Braves general manager said he is in shopping mode.

“My week will be very busy as calls started last week. We have 13 games left down the stretch here and heading into the playoffs, so we want to keep pushing forward and getting better each game. So, we're in a good grove going into the playoffs. The fan support and support from the town will be greatly appreciated moving forward here.”

Firebirds split weekend games, Applejacks drop a pair

New Hamburg dropped a 5-2 decision to division-leading Norwich at home Friday but bounced back with a 3-1 win in Paris on Saturday.

Wellesley had a tough weekend, losing 3-2 to Dorchester and 2-0 to Woodstock.