Sunday, February 16th, 2025

Stayner Siskins 2015-16 Junior C hockey team is a middle of the pack club, apparent by their winning record in the first nine games.

Siskins general manager Richard Gauthier hopes the club that is sitting with a 4-3-2 record can persevere as the youngsters learn the junior game and key veteran players heal from injuries.

Gauthier was feeling good about the club for their play last week until they gave Orillia Terriers their first victory, 6-3, of the season Sunday evening.

Granted, Terriers goalie Gordie Weiss stood on his head in earning the win. That’s the same Gordie, a one-time Siskin cut by Gauthier, who single handedly upset Stayner in last season’s playoff opening round.

The previous Sunday Stayner tied the Erin Shamrocks, 3-3, defeated that same Terriers team, 3-2, Wednesday and blasted the Shamrocks, 6-1, Thursday night before a home crowd.

Said Gauthier, “It’s going to be a tough year if we play hit and miss. We can’t play two good games and then not the next one… We’ve got to play with a little more want.”

Although veteran Ricky Darrell leads the league with 10 goals and six assists, Gauthier said losing Quinten Bruce from last year is hard to replace. Bruce finished second overall in scoring last year and Darrell was in the top 10.

Siskins’ Kyle Lafreniere, Sean Healy and Brendon Skidmore are sidelined with injuries and things didn’t get any better when Ben Lougheed quit the team after six games.

“We’re a pretty quick team. We’re a young team. It’s tough for a young guy to play like a veteran. They have to grow,” he pointed out.

On the positive side, Lucas Jeffery is showing a touch around the net with playmaking ability. He has notched four goals and six assists and is tied for 10th in league scoring.

Jordan Taylor, the team’s 16-year-old has scored a couple of times and assisted on four. His first junior goal was against Erin early in the third period to put Stayner ahead 4-1 with Isaac Swanton and Ryan Hudson assisting. Swanton would score his first junior goal a little more than three minutes later, Taylor and Kort Weir assisting.

Creemore’s Jackson Clarke, who is never afraid to come to his teammates rescue, has also potted a couple of goals.

There’s lots of homegrown talent on this year’s Siskins. Thursday night Penetang, 5-3-0, is in town with an 8:10 p.m. start. Get out and cheer them on. Sunday the club is in Caledon.

Leading the league once again is the Alliston, 7-1-0.

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