Waterloo city mayor Dave Jaworsky drops the puck before the Waterloo Siskins home opener against the Kitchener Dutchmen on Sunday afternoon.

Dutchmen spoil banner day for Siskins as puck drops on GOJHL season 

The beginning of September spells the beginnings of a new season in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, with renewed expectations for a number of local teams. The Waterloo Siskins, coming off a thrilling Game 7, overtime win in the Sutherland Cup finals, graduated a number of key players but will look to continue their success this season. 

The quest for another championship began Sunday afternoon in Waterloo, as the Siskins hosted crosstown rivals the Kitchener Dutchmen. Perhaps the biggest loss for the Siskins in the off-season was that of rookie goaltender Matt Onuska, who has signed with the OHL’s London Knights. Goaltending was a factor in this game, but it was Kitchener’s returning goalie who made the difference. Lucas Patton stopped all 19 shots he faced as the Dutchmen spoiled Waterloo’s big day with a 3-0 victory. Braeden Bowman scored twice for Kitchener and last year’s leading scorer Sean Kawalec added another. The Dutchmen outshot the Siskins 29-19. 

Also on Sunday afternoon, the Elmira Sugar Kings hosted the Cambridge Redhawks in their home opener. The Sugar Kings rode a three-goal second period to a 4-1 win, getting two goals from Tyson Hillier, a goal and an assist from Matthew Tolton and two assists from Brody Leblanc. Greg Brassard made 24 saves in his Sugar Kings debut, while Mike Leach took the loss in goal for Cambridge. The lone Redhawks goal was scored by Jack McTiernan. The weekend was culminated by a thrilled in Listowel, as the Cyclones hosted the Stratford Warriors on Sunday. The Cyclones opened the scoring a minute into the second period on a Rylan Bowers unassisted tally, and Listowel goalie Dixon Grimes was holding down the fort, stopping all 21 shots he faced through two periods. That quickly changed in the third period, as Evan Dowd broke the shutout with a shorthanded goal early in the period before Blake Wideman gave the Warriors the lead a minute later. Late in the third, Brenden Clayton tied the game for Listowel on a goal assisted by Bowers, and sent the game into overtime. With under a minute to go in overtime, second year Cyclone Steven Grant potted the game winner and gave Listowel the 3-2 triumph. Grimes stopped 29 shots for the win and Rhett Kimmel faced 28 shots in the OT loss. 

The GOJHL season resumes this weekend with a full slate of games from Friday to Sunday, all featuring local teams.