News

Spirit players – and equipment manager Brad Sedore – celebrate a goal against Burlington during the second period at the Stouffville Arena on Saturday. (Photo by Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images). 

So close.

The Spirit held 3-1 leads in both of their Ontario Junior Hockey League games last weekend before falling by one goal each day.

At home Saturday it was against the Burlington Cougars, the top-ranked team in the OJHL.

Ryan Cutler, Jacob Dupuis and Hayden Simpson had the Spirit up 3-1 midway through the second period before the cats came back to win 4-3.

Adding to the disappointment, the Spirit hit the post/bar twice and were thwarted on a pair of breakaways. Cutler added two assists.

The next day in Markham, the hometown Royals scored with one second remaining to win 5-4. 

Cutler, Captain Bailey Kirwin scored twice and fellow Barrie resident Ryan Russell had the other goal to give the Spirit that 3-1 lead midway though the game.

Markham scored three straight before Joe Kennedy, a former Royal defenceman, tied the game with the Spirit net empty and 18 seconds remaining in regulation.

The mid-term exams don’t get any easier. But there is promise.

“This weekend we face off against two first-place clubs, hosting Pickering on Saturday night and then on the road Sunday evening in Burlington,” said Head Coach Scott Donato. “This will be another test to see how we are coming together as a club, as we have had five competitive games with these clubs so far.”

The Collingwood Blues complete the Spirit’s weekly schedule with a visit to Stouffville on Thursday.

THE SCORES

Burlington 4, Spirit 3. Nov. 13.

Markham 5, Stouffville 4. Nov. 14.

THE SKED

Pickering at Stouffville, Saturday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. Stouffville Arena

Stouffville at Burlington, Sunday. Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. Burlington Central Arena

Collingwood at Stouffville, Thursday, Nov. 25. 7:30 p.m. Stouffville Arena

NOTEBOOK

Simpson’s goal was his first in junior hockey. The 17-year-old from Bolton was assigned to the Spirit this month from the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL after recovering from an early-season injury...Kirwin leads the Spirit in scoring with 17 points (5 goals/12 assists)    

Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon