September 15, 2025

Play continues through Wednesday in Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, ON: Duncan Schneider of the Trenton Golden Hawks is defended by Carson McGurn and Talan Palmer of the Collingwood Blues during the OJHL Governors’ Showcase at the Gale Centre Arena on September 15, 2025 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. (Photo by Shawn Muir / OJHL Images)

By Ron Valentine

Day 1 of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Governors’ Showcase at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, home of the Canucks, featured eight games, all of the inter-conference variety. 

The defending OJHL champion Trenton Golden Hawks won one of the feature games of the day 5-2 over the Collingwood Blues, the 2024 national champs.

The Showcase, played in front of more than 125 NHL, OHL and college scouts, runs through Wednesday night.

BUFFALO JR SABRES 9 NORTH YORK RANGERS 3

The Jr Sabres came in having potted five points from three games while the Rangers had a record of just a point in five games – and that was on Sunday where the final was 7-6 St. Mike’s in overtime. The lone U.S.-based franchise in the 24-team league got off to a fast start leading 2-0 just over a minute into the contest. But before the end of the opening frame it was all knotted up at two. The Jr Sabres did not look back the rest of the way, posting a big victory. Joey Banas, who played last season for the Salisbury (CT) prep school Crimson Knights, had a goal and leads the club with 10 points. Blueliner Alex Strachan and Carson Joy each scored twice. Three of the Sabres goals came via the powerplay.

STOUFFVILLE SPIRIT 6 CALEDON ADMIRALS 2

The Spirit entered this one with a 2-1 record while the much-improved Admirals, although winless, had accumulated three points from their four games. Ottawa-born Dylan Turcotte had the hat trick in this one, including the game winner late in the opening stanza. Curtis Freeman had both Caledon markers. In the Spirit cage, Reid Thomas recorded 29 stops for the win. Big blueliner Cam Martin had his first goal of the season for the winners and his second of his Spirit career. 

Turcotte was asked what led to his first three goals in the OJHL.

“The new line,” he told the OJHL. “I think (Jacob Martineau, Hudson Armstrong and I) played pretty well together. And the puck was just coming to me.” 

TRENTON GOLDEN HAWKS 5 COLLINGWOOD BLUES 2

Two top clubs from last season who had good starts this time around clashed in this contest, the Golden Hawks with a 2-1 record and the Blues with six 6 points from four starts heading into the contest. Thomas Kuipers led the way for Trenton with a pair of goals. Jamie Darlison’s first of the campaign on the powerplay would turn out to be the winner. Hayden Jeffrey, a former St. Catharines Falcons’ standout, made 37 stops to record the victory.

“We knew coming in that Collingwood was going to be one of the toughest match-ups we’ve had so far,” Trenton’s Isaiah Shantz told the OJHL. “I think the boys stuck together. It’s early on in the season but I think we’re moving in the right direction. That’s a big win early on.”

LEAMINGTON FLYERS 4 HALIBURTON COUNTY HUSKIES 0

Two unbeaten clubs, the Huskies, perfect in two and the Flyers, winners of their three games, squared off. This one would be Leamington’s with Tre Altiman posting a 26-save shutout performance to go with a two-goal game from Griffin Grundner. Ethan Tatomir assisted on all the Flyers’ scores. It was a closely-contested affair, which was 1-0 until the final three minutes of the third. Captain Adrian Bosev got his first of the season and Brayden Lappalainen, a 2025 third-round draft pick of the OHL’s Flint Firebirds, his third.

MISSISSAUGA CHARGERS 2 MARKHAM ROYALS 0

The Royals, winners of their two games, hooked up with the Chargers (1-3-0-1) currently tied for seventh spot in the West. This would feature the second straight shutout, this one posted by Avery Alves. For the former Hamilton Kilty Bee ‘keeper it was his second OJHL clean sheet, the first coming in 2023 with the Niagara Falls Canucks. Milo Tian and Luca Murano, with an empty-netter, scored for Mississauga. Charger Mason Kim, who was voted OJHL Rookie of the Year after a 65-point season, made his season debut and had an assist. Noah Cabellero made 23 saves for the Royals. 

NIAGARA FALLS, ON – Gabriel Ciarallo of the Milton Menace celebrates a goal with teammates during their win over St. Michael’s at the Gale Centre Arena on September 15. (Photo by Shawn Muir / OJHL Images)MILTON MENACE 4 ST. MICHAEL’S BUZZERS 1

The Buzzers, winners of their only game (in OT), faced off against the Menace, who have amassed five of a possible six points. St. Mike’s Erik Maki was a busy goalie in this one making 50 saves but his team fell 4-1. Ivan Fabjan tallied the game winner just past the midway part of the 2nd period. Austin McKillop made 18 stops to record the victory.

“Obviously, getting super close last year makes us that much more motivated to win a championship this year.”

The Menace, the defending West Conference winners and league Championship Series finalists, were sporting T-shirts bearing the phrase ‘Unfinished Business’ during their off-ice warmup.

“That’s kind of been our mantra through spring training and will continue to be throughout the year,” Milton captain Graeme MacAuley told the OJHL. “Obviously, getting super close last year makes us that much more motivated to win a championship this year.”

NEWMARKET HURRICANES 3 KING REBELLION 0

The Hurricanes were 2-1 while the Rebellion stood at .500 after two games. Another shutout here with Newmarket’s Chase Pertova, an Ottawa 67s seventh round draft choice in 2024, making his OJHL debut and repelling 38 shots. Lucas Preiano, Kristian Lamanna and Simon Wang did the scoring with all the goals coming in the 1st period.

AURORA TIGERS 6 GEORGETOWN RAIDERS 5

The Tigers came in much improved with a 2-1 record while the Raiders were at 1-2. An exciting way to end the day’s festivities with 11 goals scored and the East Conference squad prevailing 6-5 on an overtime goal from blueliner Luke Howard. The Raiders built up a three-goal advantage after 20 minutes, including goals from James Wong and Brayden Hartleib 16 seconds apart. Aurora scored twice unanswered in the second stanza setting up a five-goal third period. Wong’s second marker of the game forced the overtime and it came with just 15 seconds remaining in the third. Jamie Buscarini had a shorthanded tally for the Tigers.

With files from Jim Mason/OJHL Communications