Flyers open OJ season at home with win over Buffalo 

A large opening home game crowd of 856 — a Flyers’ team record at the Highbury Canco rink —witnessed history in more ways than one Thursday night, Sept. 7 

In pre-game ceremonies, banners for the last season’s Jr. B West Conference title and the 2022-23 Sutherland Cup championship were unveiled and now hang above the Zamboni entrance. OJHL commissioner Marty Savoy was on hand, as well as the Flyers’ owners. All took part in the ceremonial puck dropping.

One aspect of the new league that fans will notice is the incredible speed of play. The refs did call penalties, but most came in the opening frame as the Flyers built a 3-0 lead before Buffalo got on the board and by the end of the stanza Leamington led 4-2. 

By the end of 40 minutes it was no contest as the Flyers held a 6-3 margin and finished with a 7-3 victory. 

Reflecting on the night post-game, head coach Dale Mitchell said, “It was a special night. It was nice to honor the last season’s team and all the accomplishments the Flyers created.” 

The Flyers’ starting lineup consisted of five members of last season’s championship: Anthony Ciaramitaro, Nick Mahy, Griffin Grundner, Adrian Bosev and Billy Van Sumeren. 

It didn’t take long before that line connected to open the game’s scoring and notch the Flyers’ first OJHL goal as Ciaramitaro sent Van Sumeren driving to the Buffalo net down the left and VanSumeren deposited the opening salvo at 52 seconds.

On the heels of that opening tally, Alex Cunningham potted a powerplay goal thanks to the handiwork of Cayden Faust and Brady Hamlin. 

At 6:30, Hamlin converted the passwork of Ciaramitaro while on another powerplay drive. 

Near the midway mark of the first, Flyers’ vet Griffin Grundner banked a Faust rebound high into the net. That goal spelled the end of the night for Buffalo starter Aiden Mckenna as backup goalie Leif Ekblad entered the game and played the remainder of the contest. 

Shortly after that move, Buffalo’s Brady Seitz kept the visitors within range as he tabbed a goal 30 seconds later to cut the lead to 4-2. 

Coming strong in the second, Buffalo’s Cameron Doran struck at 3:51 to make it a 4-3 game. But the Flyers’ defense and starter Sebastien Gatto halted the Jr. Sabres’ offense the rest of the way, while the offense struck for two unanswered goals to widen the lead to 6-3. 

Cunningham netted a third Flyers’ powerplay goal at 5:31, giving Leamington a three for three mark on special teams. At 10:39, Max Anderson pumped Landon Bernard’s pass into the cage. 

The third period was highlighted by a slick play with Mahy and Brayden Degelas hooking up with Bosev, who rocketed a shot from the right lane at the nine-minute point. 

The first penalty shot attempt was taken by Cameron Arquette when he was hauled down as he approached the net at 13:02. Arquette’s penalty shot was missed. 

“On the flip side, it was great to see the new team in action and we hadn’t played a full game yet with this group. We still have lots of work to do and things to correct, but we did come out with a great start,” Mitchell stated. 

Buffalo starter Mckenna made three saves on seven shots, while backup Leif Ekblad stopped 24 of 27. Gatto got the win while halting 27 of 30. 

On Friday night, the Flyers made their first road trip and visited the Markham Royals. 

After 70 minutes of action the game ended in a 3-3 tie. Bosev notched two goals to give Leamington 1-0 and 2-1 leads, while Cunningham put them ahead 3-2. Markham knotted the game in the final minutes by scoring on starter Carson Barnes who stopped 28 of 31 shots. 

Playing their third game in four days on Sunday afternoon at Caledon, the Flyers grabbed a 1-0 lead and later went up 2-1 before late the Caledon Admirals tied it late in the third. In the first five-minute overtime, nothing was resolved. But 28 seconds into the second OT the Flyers’ Anthony Ciaramitaro slotted the game-winner. Cunningham and Bryce Grandbois had singles. Gatto got the victory in net. 

Next game is Thurs. Sept. 14 versus Collingwood Blues at 7:10 pm.