CCHL This Week

Brockville Braves have been a consistent force in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) over the years. After a slow start to the current campaign Braves are one of the hottest teams in the league at present and their strong play has included wins over four of the CCHL’s elite clubs.

Braves have posted an impressive 6-1-0-2 mark in their last nine starts. The 14 points accumulated during the hot spell has improved their standing considerably. Monday morning Braves (16-15-0-3) were fourth in the Robinson Division, seven points behind arch rival Cornwall Colts. They also hold two games in hand on Colts who handed them their only setback in nine games Thursday night in Cornwall. Brockville dominated the contest territorially but was stymied by the work of Colts’ net minder Jordan Piccolino. He made 35 saves as Cornwall edged Brockville 4-3 in the latest installment of their Highway 401 series.

The rest of the week was much better for Braves. They won a 4-3 overtime decision against the league leading Bears in Smiths Falls last Tuesday night. Friday they skated past Cumberland Grads, the tail-enders in the Yzerman Division, by a 3-1 count at Brockville Memorial Centre.

During the current streak Braves have defeated the Bears, Pembroke Lumber Kings, Carleton Place Canadians and Cornwall, all teams who are well above them in the overall CCHL standings.

Brockville head coach and general manager Jason Hawkins is hopeful his young team has turned a corner.

“We have back-to-back games with Ottawa (Junior Senators) this week so that will be a huge test for us,” Hawkins says. Ottawa is the hottest team in the league with seven consecutive victories.

Braves had a major turnover in personnel going into the 2012-2013 campaign. They went into the season with 14 line-up changes.

“We went with a younger team – a lot of 17 and 16-year-olds,” Hawkins observes. “The challenge has been moulding the younger players into a team.

“I think we are fortunate that after a tough couple of months we are still in it (league race).

“I like our work ethic. The kids have worked hard to play above some very good teams lately. Their attitude is very good.”

Hawkins isn’t allowing his team to rest on their laurels however!

After playing five games in seven nights Braves were off Saturday and Sunday. But Monday morning, with the freezing rain pelting down outside, they were back on the ice for an early morning skate. They are preparing for Wednesday’s difficult match-up with Junior Senators at Jim Durrell Recreation Complex in Ottawa. The face-off for that one is at 7:30 p.m.

Brockville has been bolstered by the return of veteran goaltender Andrew Pikul. The 19-year-old Aurora, Ontario native posted the third best goals against average in the CCHL last season. His record was 19-6-1-1 and he also rang up one shutout in helping Braves finish third overall in 2011-2012.

Pikul decided to try his hand in the United States Hockey League this season. When that didn’t work out he jumped to another American junior loop, the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

“He didn’t like it there (NAHL) so he decided to come back to us,” Hawkins explains.

The coach and GM is glad he did! Pikul is 1-1 in two starts but Hawkins says he “has to get back in game shape.

“He’s working on that.”

Offensively Braves have been paced by the big line of Ben Blasko, David Ferreira and Chris Roll, who is also the team captain. They have combined for 133 points even though Roll missed 10 games due to injury.

Monday Blasko had 58 points including 39 assists and was just one behind CCHL scoring leader Chris Maniccia of Smiths Falls. Ferreira stood sixth on the league scoring chart with 44 points, an even 22 goals and 22 assists.

“They have been excellent for us,” Hawkins underlines.

“Now we are hoping to keep it going.”

Monday the overall league standings showed Smiths Falls, who lost twice last week, holding onto first place with 50 points. Ottawa, who has played three fewer games, is just three points behind. Two Yzerman Division teams Pembroke and Nepean Raiders have 46 and 45 points respectively while Carleton Place is second to Bears in the Robinson loop and fifth overall with 43 points.

Topsy-turvy Sunday

Ottawa 2 – Smiths Falls 1: The red hot Junior Senators continue to demonstrate they are a force to be reckoned with. Sunday afternoon in Smiths Falls they won a battle of the league’s elite, surprising the CCHL-leading Bears. It was Ottawa’s seventh straight victory, but their first in three starts against Smiths Falls. Sens took a two point lead atop the Yzerman Division standings, courtesy of Carleton Place’s win over second place Nepean Raiders. Playing in front of 428 partisan fans, Bears held a 34-27 shots on goal advantage. But they were kept at bay by Ottawa goalie Charlie Millen who leads the league with a sparkling 2.27 goals against average. Millen made 33 saves to record his 15th win against six losses. The first period was scoreless. In the second the visitors struck for two powerplay goals. Sens’ scoring leader Ben Robillard notched his 19th of the campaign at the 12:30 mark and defenceman Owen Werthner fired his third exactly a minute later. Werthner’s strike proved to be the winner. Millen held the home team off the score sheet until, with just 3:37 left in regulation, Bears’ centre Karson McCartney triggered his eighth of the season to set up a tight finish. Millen stood tall! Patrick Martin was the losing net minder. Ottawa was assessed 15 of 26 penalties but Smiths Falls was a disappointing 0-9 with the man advantage. Millen was a deserving first star selection!

Pembroke 4 – Kemptville 2: Lumber Kings vaulted into second place in the see-saw Yzerman race, doubling the last place 73’s in front of more than 800 supporters at Pembroke Memorial Centre Sunday night. It was the second win in three games for Scott Mohns who replaced the departed Sheldon Keefe as Kings’ head coach last week. It wasn’t easy though as Kemptville goalie Billy Cooper turned aside 37 shots to keep his team in the contest. Pembroke outshot the visitors 41-27 but they needed a late goal by centre Owen McDade to wrap it up. Lumber Kings jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and looked to be sailing, outshooting Kemptville 15-7 in the opening frame. Emilio Audi on a powerplay, Ryan Erickson and Jordan Boucher-Gould were the goal-getters. In the second they took their foot off the gas and Cooper blocked all nine shots he faced. Rookie centre Jacob Smith scored twice for 73’s, including a powerplay marker, to make it 3-2 after 40 minutes. Cooper kicked out 14 shots in the third to keep it close. McDade’s seventh of the year with 4:03 remaining iced the two points for Pembroke. Audi also had an assist for the winners while defenceman Philippe Drouin set up a pair. Kemptville right winger Steven Cooney assisted on both of Smith’s tallies. Andy Munroe made 25 stops for the net minding win, his 12th in 21 decisions. Pembroke took 10 of 17 penalties.

Carleton Place 4 – Nepean 2: Canadians emerged from a mini-slump, doubling the visiting Raiders. They took advantage of Smiths Falls’ slip to move back into second place in the Robinson Division. Carleton Place remains seven behind the pace setters in the division and the league, but hold a game in hand. Line mates Luke Martin and Anthony McVeigh had a goal and an assist each to help Canadians break a four game slide. Almonte native and team captain Martin broke a 2-2 tie with his 10th marker of the season at 14:53 of period three. McVeigh wrapped it up with an empty netter, his seventh of the campaign, with just 20 seconds left. The home team took a 2-0 first period lead with two unlikely players providing the offence. Light scoring defenceman Devan Campbell netted his second early in the first period. Five minutes later forward Jim Pearson triggered his first in 10 appearances. Veteran Zach Rodier, acquired in a recent trade with Cumberland Grads, fired his second goal in three games for Nepean with 6:01 remaining in the first. Veteran winger Kenneth Neil unleashed his seventh at 2:46 of the final frame to lift Raiders into a tie. Carleton Place out shot Nepean 36-33. It was their first win over the defending champions in three starts this season. Brendan O’Neill made 31 saves for the net minding win while Matt Zawadzki suffered the loss. Neil also had an assist for Nepean while Raiders’ scoring leader Dalen Hedges maintained his third place standing in the CCHL scoring race with two assists. Each team was assessed six penalties. Carleton Place winger Stephen Baylis and Nepean forward Alexander Vazquez were ejected for fighting in the second period.

Hawkesbury 5 – Cumberland 3: Hawks continued their ascent Sunday afternoon, scoring a rare road victory to improve their record to 14-14-1-3. It was just their fifth victory in 15 games on foreign ice this season. With the result Hawkesbury moved to within three points of idle Brockville who hold down fourth place in the Robinson Division. The final score might have been much higher had it not been for the performance of Grads’ goalie Devan Tremblay. He kicked out 38 shots as Hawks out chanced the home team 43-28 in front of just more than 200 fans at Navan Memorial Centre and Arena. Five different players connected for Hawkesbury with left winger Pietro Antonelli and defenceman Holden Anderson leading the way with a goal and two assists apiece. Centre Jean-Pierre Larmoyeux scored his fifth of the season and added one helper. Single goals were credited to Carl Faucher and Yanik Laliberte. The visitors led 3-2 and 4-2 at the intervals. Chris King and David Higgs had first period powerplay goals for Cumberland with Colin Kruse connecting midway through the third period. Right winger Travis Douglas set up two in a losing cause. Carmine Guerriero recorded his 11th win in Hawks’ cage. The visitors were assessed 12 of 21 penalties. Two players from each team were sent for early showers following separate fights in the third period.

Kanata 6 – Gloucester 3: Stallions sent Rangers crashing to a ninth consecutive defeat in front of a small turnout at Earl Armstrong Arena in Orleans Sunday night. Brandon Lane 32 saves to earn his 15th win in 27 decisions and Stallions recorded their sixth victory in 10 starts to stay in the thick of the Yzerman Division pennant race. Monday the fourth place Stallions stood six points behind pace setting Ottawa and five back of Pembroke. The contest was scoreless after 20 minutes but the visitors struck twice in the second and added four more in the final stanza. Centre Fabian Walsh led the Kanata attack with four points including back-to-back shorthanded goals less than six minutes apart in the second period. Walsh now has a dozen goals as does left winger Joe Breslin who also netted twice for Kanata. Team leader Derian Plouffe had another big night. He also scored a pair giving him 23 goals, the second best total in the CCHL and he set up another. Plouffe was in a seventh place tie on the league scoring chart Monday. Matt Rosebrook, with his team leading 20th goal, and Andrew Rossy had third period powerplay strikes for Gloucester while newly arrived blueliner Carl-Philippe Ouimet fired his third goal in four games for Rangers. Kanata held a 37-35 shots advantage on the night with hard luck Gloucester goalie Dylan BrindAmour losing his sixth game in as many starts. There were just six minor penalties called, four of those going to the visitors.  

Friday summaries

Smiths Falls 3 – Carleton Place 2: Chris Maniccia broke out of a mini slump firing two goals, including the winner late in the third period, as Bears edged visiting Carleton Place. Maniccia, who was held to one assist in his previous four outings, moved back into the CCHL scoring lead with his two markers. He tied the game 1-1 with a shorthanded strike early in the second. With the game deadlocked 2-2 Maniccia triggered his league high 25th goal with 5:24 left in regulation. The victory was the seventh in 10 tries for Bears and they also took a 3-1 lead in their season series with arch rival Carleton Place. For the hard luck Canadians, who have fallen to third place in the Robinson Division, it was their fourth straight loss after a strong 9-2 run. Two of the setbacks have been by identical 3-2 counts and the others featured empty net goals in the dying seconds by their opponents. Newly acquired Blaine Byron netted his second Smiths Falls’ goal in the middle stanza. For Canadians, who outshot the home team 35-34, it was little used forward Tyson Stewart scoring his first of the season while Brock Edwards connected during a third period powerplay to temporarily tie the score 2-2. The opening frame was scoreless. Patrick Martin was solid making 33 saves for his league high 17th goaltending win. Newcomer Brendan O’Neill fell to 2-4 despite blocking 31 shots. It was a testy affair with 27 penalties called, 14 of those going to the visitors. Fourteen calls came during an unfriendly second period, including half a dozen inciting an opponent calls.  

Nepean 5 – Kemptville 0: The defending league champions moved back into first place in the Yzerman loop by blanking the last place 73’s in Kemptville. Ryan Mulder earned his third shutout in 12 appearances, kicking out 34 shots. Five different players counted for Nepean who led 1-0 and 3-0 at the intervals, outshooting 73’s by a 47-34 margin. High scoring defenceman Vincent Llorca fired what proved to be the winner after just 15 seconds. It was his ninth of the campaign and he added two assists to move to 23 points in 29 games. That’s the eighth best total among CCHL blueliners. Kenneth Neil and recently acquired forward Zach Rodier each had a goal and an assist while single tallies came off the sticks of centre Mitchell Herlihey and defenceman Stephan Beauvais. Neil and Herlihey counted during powerplay opportunities. Jacob Tugnutt was the losing goalie. There were 16 penalties called including one double minor. Ten went to the home team.

Pembroke 3 – Gloucester 2: Lumber Kings won their first game under newly installed head coach Scott Mohns, edging the sliding Rangers on a last minute goal at Earl Armstrong Arena in Orleans. Pembroke (21-12-1-1) stood just a point behind Yzerman co-leaders Nepean and Ottawa following Friday’s play. Gloucester slumped to their eighth straight loss and they were just two points ahead of last place Cumberland in the division. Rangers were outshot 40-28 but were kept in the game by the strong work of net minder Dylan BrindAmour. He has yet to win in five outings with his new club. BrindAmour was named the game’s third star. The home team was up 2-1 after 20 minutes but Pembroke netted once in each of the second and third periods. Rookie left winger Jordan Boucher-Gould unleashed his second goal in eight games with just 28 seconds left in regulation to win it for Kings. Stephen Hrehoriak had the second period goal while Liam Biard opened scoring for the visitors in the first. For Gloucester it was ex-Pembroke defenceman Carl-Philippe Ouimet with the game’s first goal just three and a half minutes in. He connected for his second in three games since being traded to Rangers Dec. 1. Rookie right winger Dean Derouchie scored his first goal in five appearances for Gloucester to give them the first period lead. Darren Smith made 26 saves for his 10th win in 15 starts in the Pembroke cage. There were just six minor penalties called, four going to Gloucester. All the goals were even strength efforts.

Hawkesbury 5 – Cornwall 4 (OT): Hawks continued their Friday night magic on home ice, winning for the eighth time in 12 Friday appearances at Robert Hartley Arena. This one was Hawks’ third overtime decision in four tries and Carl Faucher was the game hero! The veteran winger tied the game with just 13 seconds left in regulation and Hawkesbury goalie Carmine Guerriero on the bench in favour of a sixth attacker. Then, with 1:03 left in the mandatory five minute overtime, Faucher triggered his second of the night and 11th of the campaign to win it. He also had two assists in the game to earn first star honours. The victory kept the fifth place Hawks within five points of surging Brockville in the Robinson Division race. With the single point Cornwall moved one ahead of Carleton Place and into second place in the division. The home side trailed 1-0 and 3-1 at the intermissions. But back-to-back powerplay markers by Pietro Antonelli and Francis Landers, just over a minute apart early in the third, tied the contest 3-3. Antonios Roumeliotis with his 10th tally of the season had the other Hawkesbury goal in period two. Cornwall scoring leader Michael Pontarelli netted twice on the powerplay giving him 22 goals and 47 points. Roman Ammirato is right behind Pontarelli on the team chart. He also connected twice Friday to move to 21 goals and 45 points. Hawks led 39-38 in shots with Jordan Piccolino the losing net minder. Fifteen of the game’s 22 penalties were called during a feisty second period. Included were fighting majors to Mathieu Galipeau of Hawks and Colts’ Billy Ulrick.

Brockville 3 – Cumberland 1: The surging Braves won for the fourth time in five appearances and are suddenly a factor in the Robinson Division and overall league races. They scored two late goals to break a 1-1 tie and move within seven points of third place in their division. Cumberland, who trails the Yzerman loop, had won two in a row going into the match-up at Brockville Memorial Centre. With the game deadlocked 1-1, left winger Jonathan Power fired his third goal in five games and eighth of the season with 1:48 remaining to win it. Winger Anthony Pino clinched it with an empty netter with 38 seconds remaining. David Ferreira had a first period powerplay goal for the winners. For the Navan-based Grads, who were outshot 30-22, it was Matt Allan connecting for their only goal midway through the middle frame. Matthew Jenkins made 21 stops to improve his record to 10-13. Reilly Turner was the losing goaltender, kicking out 27 shots. It was a fast, well-played game with just three minor penalties called to each side. Braves had the only man advantage score.      

Early week action

Cornwall 4 – Brockville 3: Three first period goals was the difference as the surging Colts won the latest installment of the ‘Seaway Series’ with near neighbours Brockville. It was the sixth win in 10 starts for Cornwall who also lost twice in shootouts during that span to earn 14 points and move into contention. The visitors were stymied by the work of Colts’ net minder Jordan Piccolino who made 35 saves. Brockville led 38-26 in scoring chances. Cornwall centre Roman Ammirato netted twice, once on the powerplay, giving him 19 goals. His 42 points is second to teammate Michael Pontarelli who assisted twice to move to 44 points. Brandon Howes and Kevin Hope had first period strikes for the winners and Hope also earned an assist. Red-hot forward Mitch Zion helped out on two markers giving him nine points including seven assists in five games. Trent Durocher also set-up a pair. Braves’ leader Ben Blasko triggered goal No. 19 and added his league leading 38th assist. Blasko moved even with Smiths Falls’ Chris Maniccia atop the CCHL scoring list. Winger Anthony Pino with his first goal in 32 games and Chris Roll with his 11th tally had the other Brockville goals. Andrew Pikul was the losing goalie. There were just five minor penalties called, three going to Braves. Nearly 700 fans took in the action at Ed Lumley Arena in Cornwall.

Ottawa 1 – Gloucester 0: Charlie Millen’s fourth shutout of the season had to be the easiest yet. Junior Senators’ goalie faced just 15 shots as Ottawa blanked crosstown rival Gloucester at Jim Durrell Recreation Complex Wednesday. A crowd of more than 250, attending a special promotion night, watched Senators move into temporary possession of first place in the crowded Yzerman Division. The busiest player on the ice was Millen’s opposite number, veteran Rangers’ net minder Dylan BrindAmour. He was spectacular, blocking 40 shots and earning first star honours. BrindAmour has been good since joining Gloucester recently. He has little to show for it however. The 19-year-old Metcalfe native is winless in four decisions since donning Gloucester green. He came to Rangers in a trade with Kemptville Nov. 19 and has also played for Nepean and Hawkesbury in the CCHL. The faltering Gloucester team lost their seventh straight game and they have dropped 10 of their last 11, picking up just three points during the slide. Ottawa is one of the league’s surprise teams. Wednesday they were frustrated at virtually every turn by BrindAmour. But right winger Joey Champigny’s sixth goal at the 1:34 mark of the first period was all they needed. Champigny has three goals and five points in five games. There were 10 minor penalties called, six of those going to the home team.

Tables turned Tuesday

The CCHL week began with three games last Tuesday night. In two of them lower echelon teams turned the tables on division high flyers with Cumberland upending visiting Pembroke and Brockville beating leaders Smiths Falls in overtime.

Brockville 4 – Smiths Falls 3 (OT): Hayden Hulton’s second powerplay goal, just 14 seconds into overtime, gave the improving Braves their third victory in succession. The win came at the expense of long-time rivals and league leaders Smiths Falls. With the single point Bears did manage to pad their lead to five points over Nepean and Ottawa who were idle. For Brockville it marked the seventh game in a row in which they have taken points. Included are five victories and two shootout setbacks. Light scoring centre Hulton moved to 10 points with his two goal effort. Winger Jonathan Power had an unassisted goal in the opening stanza while team captain Chris Roll fired a shorthanded, unassisted marker in the second period. League scoring leader Chris Maniccia was held pointless for the second straight game. Braves’ leader Ben Blasko, who was just two behind Maniccia in the league race, was also held off the score sheet. For the hometown Bears Ryan Eardley opened scoring in the first period. Braves led 3-1 after 40 minutes. In the third period Tyler Akeson, the highest scoring defenceman in the CCHL with 34 points, netted his fifth during a powerplay. Soon after, dependable Connor McLaren, with his 16th, tied it to force OT. The visitors held a 41-31 shots advantage with Matthew Jenkins the winning goalie. Jimmy Howe suffered the loss despite making 37 stops. Braves were two for five on the powerplay while Bears were one for four. 

Cumberland 3 – Pembroke 2: Playing their first game following the departure of long-time head coach Sheldon Keefe, Lumber Kings were upended by the last place Grads in Navan Tuesday. While Keefe took over his new duties, as head coach of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (Major Junior), his assistant Scott Mohns had his baptism as Pembroke bench boss. Cumberland made Mohns’ debut a losing one, thanks to a late winner by Mark Golberg. Grads outshot the visitors 44-32 but the contest seemed headed to overtime until Golberg struck with two minutes, 20 seconds left in regulation. A powerplay strike by Matt Allan and newly arrived defenceman Andrew DeBrincat’s first goal and fourth point in two games gave Grads a 2-0 edge after one period. DeBrincat was obtained in a Dec. 1 trade with Nepean that sent veteran forward Zach Rodier to Raiders. He also assisted on Allan’s opener. Early in the second winger Emilio Audi netted during a Kings’ powerplay. It remained 2-1 until 16:41 of the final frame when Tyler Gaudet tied it for Pembroke with his 10th of the season. Just 59 seconds later Golberg triggered his 10th to win it. It was Grads’ first win in six games against Pembroke, going back to the last campaign. They lost their previous two meetings with Lumber Kings this season. Reilly Turner made 30 saves to improve his record to 4-8. Andy Munroe was the losing goalie. Kings took six of nine minor penalties.

Kanata 3 – Kemptville 2: Stallions needed a late game, powerplay goal to squeeze past a rejuvenated Kemptville side at Kanata Recreation Complex Tuesday. Defenceman Mike Zajac was the hero for Kanata, beating 73’s goalie Jacob Tugnutt with his first goal of the campaign with 4:52 left. Tugnutt kicked out 33 shots. His opposite number, Kanata veteran Brandon Lane, was named the game’s first star for his 25 save effort. Tugnutt, who made 19 stops in the third period alone (which the home team dominated), was the second star. The win moved Kanata four points behind the leaders in the Yzerman race. Joey House on a first period powerplay and Kemptville scoring leader Lucas Gonu with his 18th goal late in the opening stanza gave the visitors the early advantage. Newly arrived forward Brandon Seatter helped out on House’s marker, giving him five points in three games since joining Kemptville from Carleton Place. Kanata ace Derian Plouffe made it a one-goal game with his 21st goal, an unassisted powerplay effort early in the middle frame. Rookie defenceman Alex Robinson, with his first goal and first point in 10 games, tied it for Stallions at 11:26 of the third. Plouffe assisted on Robinson’s marker and also on Zajac’s winner, moving him to 41 points which was good for sixth on the league chart. The third period turned nasty with two players from each team ejected for their roles in separate fights.

A lighter than usual 13 games is on the schedule in the CCHL this week, Tuesday through Sunday. Four games will be played on both Friday and Sunday. 

Jeff Maguire is a career journalist based in Carleton Place. He has covered junior hockey in Ontario for 41 years. Jeff’s report will appear on the CCHL website every Monday throughout the season. He can be reached by e-mail at: jeffrey.maguire@rogers.com