After a busy week the Leamington Flyers battled the Collingwood Blues here last Thursday night, September 25, in front of a crowd of 740 exceptionally noisy fans. The Flyers won the hard-fought contest 2-1.
The intense rivalry between the two OJHL clubs gained more momentum despite both teams having large lineup turnovers and many new faces. Earlier on game day, the Flyers made several moves as forward Aidan Edwards was traded to the Chatham Maroons (GOHL). Then they signed Erik Muxlow, a 5’ 10” 183 pound forward, who had played with the Soo Greyhounds last year.
Flyers’ goalie Tre Altiman and Blues tender Hayden Duncan kept the scorers off the sheet for 32 minutes.
The Flyers broke the scoreless deadlock during a powerplay when Landon Pickersgill gave Ashton Darocy the puck, who blasted a left lane cannon shot that was kicked out by Duncan. But the rebound ended up on the stick of newcomer Erik Muxlow and he one-timed his shot into the open left side. Two-and-a-half minutes later, Collingwood used a similar play to notch their lone goal of the game off the stick of Ethan Neller.
In the third, Collingwood pressed hard, but it was the Flyers who took the lead and then held it.
Ethan Tatomir and Griffin Grundner worked the puck to Muxlow, who cruised down the left lane and unleashed a cannon shot that handcuffed Duncan for his second goal of the night.
The Blues applied plenty of pressure during the last 15 minutes, yet it was Altiman’s stellar saves that preserved the victory.
Included in his 12 third period saves was a frantic series of scoring attempts by Collingwood during the final 1:26.
With roughly half a minute left Altiman, while on his back, extended his stick and halted what appeared to be the Blues’ best attempt.
Altiman finished the game with 39 saves while Duncan halted 28 of the 30 that came his way.
The Flyers will host Mississauga on Thursday, October 2 at 7:10 pm.
