On Friday November 4, the Orillia Thunderwolves Extramural hockey teams were one of 4 schools to play in the season opener of Ontario Collegiate Recreation (OCR) hockey. Although the teams are made up of nearly brand new rosters and coaching staff, they came out in seasoned fashion and brought the heat, with the men winning the men’s portion of the tournament, and the women finishing with a 1-1 record.
The women were the first to take to the ice, opening up the tournament against the Georgian Grizzlies. Third year Education major, Paige Galbraith (London, ON) kept the Thunderwolves net clear through all 3 periods of play, earning herself the first shutout of the season. Strong goal attempts were made by players of the likes of Taylor MacLean (Corunna, ON), Rachel Poole (Amaranth, ON), Jaclyn Van Schubert (Barrie, ON) and Julie Clennett (Midland, ON), however, the sole goal scorer was Fifth year Education major, Mackenzie Callery (Tecumseh, ON) who was able to find the back of the Grizzlies net with 8 seconds left in the first, and again with 12 seconds left in the final period, on an open net.
In the women’s second game of the day, a tough fight was put up against the Fleming Knights, but ultimately, the women would come up short, with the Knights taking the game 3-0 and the women’s tournament title along with it.
The men opened up their season with all cylinders firing. From the moment the puck hit the ice, they were determined to not let the Georgian Orillia Grizzlies come between them and their ultimate 6-0 victory. Third year Criminology major, Tyler Jackman (Southampton, ON) held down the fort, securing yet another shoutout for the Thunderwolves against the Grizzlies. The game saw an impressive OCR debut from second year Criminology major, Christian Taylor (Midhurst, ON), who earned a hat trick after scoring three goals on the Grizzlies. The three other goals were scored by third year Lakehead-Georgian Computer Science student, Preston Beck (Barrie, ON), and team veteran, Chi Tonin (Woodstock, ON) and Ronnie Money (Burlington, ON). Assists were picked up by Ethan Sleep (Washago, ON), Chi Tonin (Woodstock, ON) and Jack Beck (Barrie, ON).
The men’s second game would come as their toughest game of the day. After witnessing a handily victory against Georgian, the Fleming Knights came prepared to challenge the Thunderwolves in the standings. The opening goal from first year Education major, Jeremy Irving (Ajax, ON) would put the Thunderwolves on the board, however, it would not be quite enough to take the game, as the Knights would go on to score four goals through the second and third periods to take the game 4-1.
Hungry for a final victory and tournament title, the men returned to the ice in the final game of the night against the host Georgian Barrie Grizzlies. Although feeling the effects of a long day of early-in-the-season hockey, the team rallied together to defeat the Grizzlies 4-2 and take the tournament title. Christian Taylor picked up two more goals, finishing the tournament with a total of 5. Adding to the goal count was first year Criminology major, Braydon Isnor (Barrie, ON) and Ronnie Money (Burlington, ON), who finished the tournament with two goals. Assists were picked up by Jack Beck, Jeremy Irving, (Midland, ON), Chi Tonin, and Jacob Dewey (Orillia, ON).
Lakehead Orillia Athletics is extremely proud of all of our athletes and thanks all fans who came out to cheer on our teams in their season opener! Stay tuned for future tournament schedules and details as the Thunderwolves look ahead to their next tournaments in 2023!
