Flyers hold first scrimmage

By C. Scott Holland

On Sunday afternoon, the Leamington Flyers held an inter-squad scrimmage involving about two dozen players.

For the few staff and players present, it was a test of skill, and physical and mental toughness

For players, a few parents and the staff, it meant donning a mask for about 90 minutes. On the Highbury Canco rink, only a few standees got to watch and that was only after having submitted to a COVID questionnaire and temperature check prior to being allowed into the facility.

As for the contest itself, the two opposing benches consisted of two lines and a goaltender each, plus a couple of coaches behind the bench.

The Red vs. White contest was played with running time and very few penalties. The biggest change was the fact that no body checking was allowed, although in a couple instances there was some minor contact. Play was five-on-five hockey.

Members of Team Red put the pressure on the Team White goaltender in Sunday’s scrimmage action. The Flyers’ Jr. B season gets underway on December 2 and is expected to end in March. Scott Holland photo

The game was up-tempo with speed being a major factor. Both teams displayed their shooting skills and despite Team Red dominated Team White 9-4, it was evident that if any Jr. B hockey is played by the Flyers this season, they will have to be accurate when taking shots and strong in stopping and deterring their opposition.

For the members of both Team Red and Team White, it was evident there is still plenty of work ahead as they become accustomed to the Jr. B level.

Having lost a larger than anticipated number of players, the Flyers are laying the foundation for another highly competitive squad.

What the scrimmage game did show, was that the Flyers young talent is ready to start learning and emerge as a top contender.