Laurier Golden Hawks goaltender Tyler Fassl makes a save versus Brock University in preseason action. (Photo by Tyra Ford)

Sugar Kings keep Brantford winless in Midwest with shutout win 

The Elmira Sugar Kings visited the Brantford Bandits last night in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League play, with the Sugar Kings shutting out the Bandits, 4-0. The loss was Brantford’s seventh straight against Midwest division opponents after beating Fort Erie and Strathroy in the GOJHL showcase to start the year. 

The teams were scoreless for over half the game, but Elmira’s Mason McMahon broke the deadlock with just over a minute to play in the second period, with Kurtis Goodwin and Hunter Dubecki drawing assists. Goodwin added to the lead early in the second period with his third of the season before McMahon got his second of the night to make it 3-0 Elmira. Carter Lennon added an insurance marker late in the third, and Greg Brassard earned the shutout, stopping 17 shots. Ben Edward played well in goal for Brantford, stopping 31 shots. The win moves Elmira into a second-place tie with Stratford, trailing Listowel by only one point. Brantford falls to 2-6-1 on the season. 

GOJHL action continues tonight with the Kitchener Dutchmen in Brampton to take on the Bombers and Stratford hosting Listowel. The Dutchies will welcome the winless Waterloo Siskins on Saturday afternoon, while Stratford takes on the host Cambridge Redhawks at night. On Sunday afternoon, Waterloo hosts Listowel, Brampton visits Elmira and Brantford plays host to Cambridge. 

Laurier Golden Hawks begin new U-Sports season tonight at home 

The puck drops on a new U-Sports men’s hockey season this weekend, and the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks host Lakehead University in their home opener tonight at the Rec Complex in Waterloo. 

The Golden Hawks are coming off their fourth straight first-round playoff exit last season at the hands of the Western Mustangs, while Lakehead failed to qualify for the postseason. The fresh season brings new hope for the purple and gold, especially thanks to a strong recruiting class highlighted by local standout Chayse Herrfort, who led the GOJHL’s Midwest division last season in scoring for the Listowel Cyclones. 

Lakehead has already played its first game of the season, getting blown out last night by the Waterloo Warriors, 6-0. Nick Chyzowski and Alex Pawelcyzk both scored twice for Waterloo and Andrew Cordssen-David added four assists. Third-year goaltender Trevor Martin stopped 27 shots for the 

shutout in his season debut. The Warriors have the weekend off, but will host Carleton and Ottawa next Friday and Saturday, respectively. Lakehead stays in town to play Laurier again on Saturday night.