Last season’s Provincial Junior Hockey League’s cellar dwellers have let it be known they will be a much different team this season.
The Orillia Terriers surprised many this weekend, when they won the 11th annual Alliston Showcase Tournament, a pre-season tradition hosted by the Alliston Hornets, a league super-power.
The Terriers opened the three-day tourney with a 1-0 victory over the Lilttle Britain Merchants. Nolan Rochette scored the game’s lone goal, while Jason Cumbo earned a well-deserved shutout between the pipes for the local Jr. C hockey squad.
The Terriers’ offence exploded in game two as the rookie-laden squad thumped the Georgina Ice 7-1. It was a balanced attack for Orillia as seven different goal scorers dented the twine: Josh Lizner, Corey Miller, Luke Charlebois, Calan Foshay, Jake Beard, Ayden Dooley and Nick Holenski. Owen King was the top playmaker with a pair of assists. Cumbo again shone in net.
In Game 3, the Terriers lost a narrow 4-3 decision to host Alliston. Holenski scored twice in the defeat, while Beard added a single tally. Miller assisted on all three Orillia goals.
The Terriers rebounded to score a 4-1 victory over the Port Dover Sailors. Matt Priest, Jake Lizner, Dooley and Josh Brown scored for the victors, while Cumbo earned the W.
With the win, the Terriers punched their ticket to the title game – a rematch with the Hornets.
In a game befitting a championship match, the two teams played a tight-checking game. Beard scored his team’s only goal as the two finalists were deadlocked after three periods. In overtime, Beard scored again – his fourth of the tourney – to lift his team to the championship.
Last season, the Terriers had their worst season in franchise history as they won just four times, while losing 38 games in a forgettable season that cost coach/general manager Keith Penna his job.
Team president and owner Jamie Clarke took the coaching reins late in the season and then, in the off-season, hired Nick Ricca to become the squad’s new bench boss. Dallyn Telford was also added as an assistant coach; the two had success coaching AAA hockey with the North Central Predators.
So far, they are off to a good start as they prepare for the regular season. The Terriers will kick off their season Saturday night against the Stayner Siskins; game time at Rotary Place is 7:30 p.m.
