Weekend wanderings
A selection of recent game activity relative to various teams in the Ontario Hockey League, Greater Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Provincial Jr. Hockey League:
Windsor Spitfires 3, Owen Sound Attack 2. Following a tough 5-4 setback to the Guelph Storm the Spitfires rebounded with a 3-2 squeaker over Owen Sound. Overage goalie Joey Costanzo made 24 saves for his 14th win of the season, defenseman Andrew Robinson and forward Ethan Garden had a goal and an assist apiece and the first place Spitfires of the OHL’s Western Conference improved their record to 19-6-3, good for 41 points.
Flint Firebirds 3, Soo Greyhounds 2. Overage goalie Mason Vaccari made 28 saves for his 15th win of the season and Jimmy Lombardi had a goal and an assist as the Firebirds won their 11th straight game.
Sarnia Sting 3, Flint Firebirds 2 (overtime). Flint’s 11 game winning streak came to an end but the Firebirds still garnered a point from the overtime loss. 2009 birth year rookie Mason Courville made 19 saves in the Flint net and improved his save percentage to .888 and lowered his goals against average to 2.98 with a record of 4-3-1. Flint now has a record of 19-6-2 and is just a point back of first place Windsor atop the Western Conference of the OHL with a game in hand.
LaSalle Vipers 6, Strathroy Rockets 3. A trio of OHL priority selections draft picks of the Spitfires helped LaSalle improve its record to 11-12-2 within the GOHL. Jake Windbiel (seventh round, 2024) made 23 saves and defenseman Luke St. John (13th round, 2025) and forward Ian Inskip (second round, 2025) each had a goal and an assist. Local lad St. John now has four goals, four assists, eight points in just 11 games from his blue line post.
Leamington Flyers 8, Caledon Admirals 1. A pair of OHL draft picks of the Flint Firebirds led the way for Leamington. Tecumseh product Brayden Lappalainen (third round, 2025) had three goals and Brendan Cooke (eighth round, 2023) potted a pair as the Flyers improved their record to 19-9-1 within the West Conference in the OJHL. Cooke, who hails from the tiny northern town of Thessalon — which is about 52 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie — now has 12 goals on the season. Cooke, who doesn’t turn 18 years old until December 22, has seven games of OHL experience with Flint.
Mount Brydges Bulldogs 9, Port Stanley Sailors 2. A pair of goals from Tim Jozsa sparked Mount B to the PJHL victory over its nearby rivals from Port Stanley.
Mount Brydges Bulldogs 6, Lucan Irish 1. 2008 birth year rookie Blake Builder had a pair of goals as did seasoned skater Dylan Dundas. Mount Brydges is in sixth place in the West Yeck Division of the PJHL with a record of 11-9-1 but is only five points out of top spot.
