Akwesasne(1-0-1) opened the year with a successful weekend in the west. John Taveras made his return to Ohsweken and led the Thunder with 8 points in a 14-14 overtime draw. It isn't everyday a player who is the career scoring leader of both teams takes the floor in a game. JT is the best the Chiefs and Thunder have ever dressed. He'll soon be the best ever in the OLA as he closes in on Larry Ferguson's record setting mark. Troy Mitchell contributed four goals and Lucas Mitchell scored the tying marker late in extra time. The Thunder next produced an impressive 20-15 win in St.Catharines. Pending the official scoring from the second game, Tavares now has 1355 career points, only 17 behind Larry Ferguson's mark of 1372. Akwesasne have a quiet week ahead as they only play once, a Sunday home date with Brooklin.
Brampton(0-0) enjoyed the first week off. The champions begin defence of their title this week with road trips to Brooklin on Wednesday and Windsor on Saturday and Sunday.
Brooklin(1-0) started impressively by dominating St.Catharins in their home opener. They scored eight of the first nine goals then cruised to an 18-11 victory. It should have been 19-11 but the referees apparently forgot a goal after a slight distraction. Luckily scoring championship contenders Gavin Prout and Shawn Williams were not involved in the phantom goal. Prout scored nine points in the contest, while two time scoring champion Williams was one better with ten, including five goals. A surprise appearance was put in by Mike Morrison. His final two years of junior were anything but sparkling. In fact, he sat out all of 2003. The Redmen host the defending champs this Wednesday then get their first road test at the Turtle Dome on Sunday.
Peterborough(0-0) spent the week looking forward to debuting at the revamped Memorial Centre. The anticipation continues as the Lakers are away from home this coming weekend with visits to the Garden City and the Six Nations Reserve.
St.Catharines(0-3) proved that a fast starting schedule doesn't necessarily mean a fast start. Three games in four days led to three losses, each by at least four goals. The season opener saw the A's offence score only five times. The next two games were disasters for their defence as they gave up eighteen goals, then twenty! On the bright side, Scott Stewart has been a nice surprise. The question, as always with Stewart, will he last the year? Also veteran Pat McCready was in uniform. The Double Blues will need his leadership in order to fix this terrible beginning. They have five days to regroup before hosting Peterborough Saturday night.
Six Nations(2-0-1) leapt to the top of the table as the season commenced. Sensational netminding from Ken Montour carried them past St.Catharines 9-5. That was followed by a thrilling 14-14 tie with Akwesasne. Cory Bomberry led the Chiefs with seven points. Tom Montour made an early bid for Rookie honours with a hattrick and six points. New additions Gewas Schlinder and Mike Longboat also impressed. Finally Six Nations welcomed Windsor back to the league by doubling them 12-6. Neal Powless and Clay Hill were among the leaders in scoring. The Chiefs will still be in first place when they return to action next Sunday against Peterborough.
Windsor(0-1) suffered its first defeat since the 1974 Mann Cup on Sunday. They struggled like a first year club as they only managed six goals against Six Nations. Brian Renaud, Nick Trudeau and John Rosa each had a couple of points. Tom Still played well between the pipes. Fresh from junior, Francis Dostie and Jeff Souilliere both scored. The Warlocks continue to search for their first win in thirty years when they host Brampton twice next weekend.
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