Flyers fall to Maroons in first exhibition

By C. Scott Holland

LEAMINGTON — For the 140 fans who turned out for the first Jr. B action where fans were allowed, it was not quite the same as in previous years.

Everything is different, with masks being worn, vaccination protocols to enter and social distancing, as well as no canteen service. For the team’s volunteers, photo IDs were done to allow quicker access and the first exhibition contest wasn’t without some behind-the-scenes headaches.

“We’re going to be a young team and there is much to learn,” said new Flyers head coach Dale Mitchell.

The learning curve for the young players and new head coach and new assistant coach Mark Ridout is high and it will be especially hard to replicate the team’s success from the last decade.

Like the Flyers, the other eight teams in the west have few veterans and for many of the teams, it is a rebuilding process.

The Flyers’ defense had their work cut out for theme as they try to contain a Chatham scoring attack. Here, Flyers’ goalie Tre Altiman eyes the play and tries to track the puck.

Scott Holland photo

The two new coaches came to the team recently after Kyle Makaric — who was slated to be the head coach — left to take on head coaching duties with the Ottawa Junior Senators.

During the game, both sides showed some nervousness at the outset and Chatham surged ahead on the game’s lone powerplay opportunity at 19:39 of the first when Nolan McKibbin was sidelined for interference. That tally came off Dylan Glinski’s screen-shot blast that beat Flyers’ starter Boe Piroski.

The big play that determined the outcome occurred near the midway point. The Flyers inserted spare goalie Tre Altiman who was peppered with shots immediately. During a span of 2:30, the Flyers allowed Chatham to notch three goals.

Both teams had provided some good body-checking through the contest but once the Flyers were down 4-0 the checking increased. Chatham’s offense penetrated the Flyers zone often and the Flyers had few chances to notch a goal until late in the third when suddenly the Flyers injected some tenacity into that aspect of their game.

Chatham starter Brendan Stroble went the distance and stopped 29 of 30 shots while Boe Piroski halted 12 of 13 and Altiman 16 of 19.

The Flyers lineup was composed of 13 players who are 16 or 17 years-old. The oldest Flyer was Tanner Flood who is 19. There were also five 18- year-olds.

The next home exhibition game is Thurs. Sept. 16 when the Flyers host the LaSalle Vipers at 7:10 pm.