Pro-Fit Corvairs open new season
By Jim Windle
BRANTFORD — Hockey season has officially started for the Caledonia Pro-Fit Corvairs.
The GOJHL opened this past weekend with its annual showcase tournament, this year hosted by the Brantford Jr. B 99ers at the Gretzky Sports Complex in Brantford.
The annual showcase tournament is where Jr. B players attract the attention of university recruiters and scouts from higher levels of the game through the OHL and OHA. It is also represents the starting gate for the 2017 to 2018 Jr. B hockey season.
The three-time Sutherland Champion Caledonia Pro-Fit Corvairs tried its new metal against the 2017 to 2018 Elmira Sugar Kings who won it last year, Saturday night in their first game of the new season.
It took two goals within 12 seconds in the last minute of the game to record the Corvairs first win of the season.
Elmira’s Zach Cameron put the Kings up 1-0 at 16:39 of the first period to account for the only goal to that point. Caledonia’s Sean O’Brien evened the score at 5:28 of the second frame from Erik Nelson and Bobby Harrison.
The Sugar Kings netted two quick goals, 20 seconds apart, to open the third period. Then, the Caledonia late game surge began with Eddie Schulz scoring two to even the score. Bailey Fletcher found a loose puck in the crease and capped it off with the game winner at 19:52. Caledonia goaltender Brandon McCorriston faced 26 shots.
Sunday, afternoon, the Corvairs and the Chatham Maroons faced off at the WGC. The new Corvairs hopefuls put on a show, blanking the Chatham Maroons 5-0 with McCorriston recording his first shutout of the 2017 to 2018 campaign.
Putting up points for the Pro-Fit Corvairs were Matt Weston from Bailey Fletcher and Griffin Roubos at 1:46 of the first period. At 19:30 Roubos scored his first goal of the season from Bobby Harrison and O’Brien.
Josh DeFarias made it 5-0 at 15:21 of the third from O’Brien.
From early indications, McCorriston has showed himself to be a quick goaltender with good angles and a great glove. Good news for the Corvairs is bad news for everyone else.
Jamey Lauzon is wearing the “C” for the Corvairs as the season opens.
Also impressive was the character building, come-from-behind win over last years’ Sutherland Cup winning Elmira Sugar Kings in the first game.
“That was a big one,” said General Manager Brian Rizzetto.
Elsewhere, the Niagara Falls Canucks have also come out of the gate strong winning both of their games at the GOJHL Showcase.
Formerly known as the Lambton Shores Predators, the new Komoka Kings will be playing out of the Middlesex Centre Wellness and Recreation Complex in Komoka, located near London. They will play in the Western Conference.
“We’re very thankful for our time in Lambton Shores, it’s unfortunate that things didn’t work out the way we wanted them to,” said team president, owner and general manager of the Predators, Roop Chanderdat. “We are excited about the potential in Komoka, they have a state of the art facility in and ideal location and I think it’s going to be a great fit for our hockey club.”
Christian Polillo, has returned to Brantford for the new season. He and brother Guy Polillo played for Caledonia last season.
The 99ers split the Showcase losing to the Strathroy Rockets 5-4, Saturday, and taking a 2-1 decision over the Buffalo Regals on Sunday.
The Corvairs return home to the Haldimand Centre Arena in Caledonia, Saturday to start a four game home stand when the Pelham Panthers visit for the first time this season. Game time for the season home opener is 7:30 p.m.
