Stayner Siskins are getting hot at the right time. The local Junior C team has won five of its last six games to get back into the hunt for second place in the Georgian Mid Ontario Hockey League.
Siskins general manager Richard Gauthier didn’t miss the net on this comment: “It’s a good time of year to be getting better.”
Alliston is the class of the league and perhaps the province. The perennial contender for the best of Ontario’s Junior C teams is running away with the local loop with a 31-2-2 record. Second is up for grabs with Huntsville, 18-15-3, Midland, 18-15-3, and Stayner, 17-15-4, vying for home playoff advantage.
Caledon is certain to finish in fourth and could move up in the standings. The Golden Hawks sport a 17-17-2 record. Schomberg, 13-20-3, Penetang, 13-21-2, Erin, 12-20-3, and Orillia, 10-24-2, follow. Eight of the nine teams make the playoffs.
Gauthier says the signing of goaltender Luke Aulthouse from Kincardine and the return of veteran defenceman Dakota Hynes have improved the club.
He released goalie Sean Caulfied and this has forced Trevor Bloch to be more competitive if he wants to get the start over Aulthouse.
As well, the club is healthy and nobody is out because of suspensions.
“It makes a big difference,” he says.
This Thursday is an important game for Stayner as Midland Flyers, who have an almost identical record, are in town. The Flyers are led by Evan Buehler, 29 goals and 29 assists. His 55 points is fourth best in the league.
Stayner answers back with sniper Ricky Darrell, 30 goals and 24 assists. He is supported by veterans Lucas Jeffery, 20 goals, 21 assists, and Kyle Lafreniere, 31 points from 15 tallies and 16 helpers.
Friday, Stayner plays in Alliston and in all likelihood this game will be a loss. But you never know. Upsets make sports so intriguing.
The following week Stayner is home to Erin Thursday and away to Penetang Friday to complete the regular season. Three of the club’s four games are very doable to be victories.
Stayner’s victories include 4-1 over Schomberg Monday night, 5-3 against Orillia Saturday. Their other victories in January were 8-3 versus Schomberg, and 5-4 wins Midland and Penetang.
Their lone loss came a week ago Thursday, a 5-1 loss to the Alliston Hornets.
Huntsville’s Andy Baker slightly has the edge in the scoring race with 59 points from 28 goals and 31 assists. Caledon’s Nick McNutt and Cafagna Daniel are tied for second with 56 points each.