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Corvairs start season with controversy

The Caledonia Corvairs are 0-2 this season – without even stepping on the ice.

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The Greater Ontario Junior B Hockey League announced that the Corvairs would forfeit their first two games of season because of the league’s COVID-19 policy.

“Due to recent changes in regards to the players being vaccinated we were hoping to reschedule but will not receive the opportunity,” Corvairs team president Mike Bullard said in a statement.

“Our opponents were not open to the idea of a schedule change and preferred we forfeit. Eight of our players are currently in the midst of the second shot and we did not want to risk injuries to 13 skaters.”

The GOJHL released its vaccination policy on Aug. 31, making it mandatory for all players, coaches, trainers, team and league staff, officials, volunteers and billet families to be fully vaccinated by the first day of the league’s regular season (Sept. 24).

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So, Caledonia starts off the season with a 1-0 loss against the St. Catharines Falcons from Friday and the same result from a game that was scheduled to be played at home against Niagara Falls on Saturday.

On its Twitter feed (@ProFitCorvairs) Caledonia posted the fact that its record over the last five seasons against Niagara Falls now drops to 11-1.

The Corvairs will now open the season on Saturday against Welland with a 7:30 p.m. game at the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre.

GOJHL

MID-WESTERN CONFERENCE

BRANTFORD BANDITS

The Brantford Bandits opened the season with a pair of two-goal road losses, falling 6-4 to the Cambridge Redhawks on Saturday and 4-2 to the Stratford Warriors on Sunday.

Xavier Moura got two goals in the Cambridge game, with singles to Adam Hoff and Jesse Reimer. Damon Beattie, Gabriel Runco, Tristan Romany and Reimer got one assist each.

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Brantford’s Bibby brothers – Luke and Tanner – had a great game for Cambridge against the Bandits, with Luke netting a goal and an assist and Tanner a goal.

In the Stratford game, Zachary Gratton and Reimer scored the Brantford goals, with Jack Pancoe, Evan Silveira and Beattie drawing assists.

Gratton is the son of Brantford’s Chris Gratton, a former NHLer, while Pancoe is a Brantford Minor Hockey Association graduate.

PROVINCIAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

Burford Bulldogs forward Isaiah Ilao carries the puck up the ice during a recent Provincial Junior C Hockey League game. Photo by Censational Photographyjpg, BR

BURFORD BULLDOGS

If the pre-season is any indication, the Burford Bulldogs seem to be headed toward a successful 2021-22.

Burford wrapped up its pre-season on the weekend with a pair of wins, defeating the Hagersville Hawks 3-1 on Saturday and the Lucan Irish 3-2 on Sunday.

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Those two victories pushed Burford’s pre-season record to 4-0.

Statistics were not available from the Hagersville game.

Against Lucan, Kyle Parsons led the way with a goal and assist. Ryan Squires and Derick Da Silva also scored, while Ethan Bradley and Chase Machin each picked up single assists.

Shendon Smith earned the win in goal.

A member of the Hagersville Hawks carries the puck up the ice during a practice earlier this month. The Hawks open their 2021-22 Provincial Junior C Hockey League season on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Hagersville Arena against the Port Dover Sailors. Instagram – @hagersvillehawksjuniorjpg, BR

HAGERSVILLE HAWKS

The Hawks will be hoping to turn things around once the regular season begins this weekend

Hagersville lost three of its pre-season games, with the result of a fourth unknown. Last weekend, the Hawks lost a pair of games, falling 5-0 to the Dunnville Mudcats and 3-1 to the Burford Bulldogs.

Hagersville opens its season Saturday at home against Port Dover.

PORT DOVER SAILORS

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The Port Dover Sailors will begin their season after splitting a pair of pre-season games.

Port Dover played twice against the Norwich Merchants earlier this month, splitting the games. Results and details were not available.

The Sailors start things off on Saturday in Hagersville and then host Dunnville on Sunday for their second game of the season.

ONTARIO JUNIOR A HOCKEY LEAGUE

BRANTFORD 99ERS

Brantford will head into the regular season on a high, following back-to-back pre-season wins last week against the Stouffville Spirit.

The 99ers defeated the Spirit 4-1 at home on Thursday before earning a 5-2 road victory on Saturday to close out the pre-season.

In the 4-1 win, Liam Shwedyk picked up a pair of assists with goals to Kris Fugalis, Bensen Moore, Jaden Lee and Lucas Thompson. Justin Wu was the winner in goal.

Shwedyk led the way once again the 5-2 game, netting a hat trick. Fugalis and Jake Partridge also scored as goalie Ben Bonsteel picked up the win.

Brantford begins the regular season on Friday with a road game in Milton. The 99ers then play their home opener at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on Sunday at 4 p.m. against Georgetown.

GREATER METRO JUNIOR A HOCKEY LEAGUE

ST. GEORGE RAVENS

The Ravens run for a Russell Cup begins this weekend.

St. George will open its season Sunday at 3 p.m. against the Niagara Predators at the South Dumfries Community Centre.

The Ravens played no pre-season games.

This Week in Flyers