The 2023 U14 OHL Cup got underway in Oakville on Friday with a total of 12 games on the schedule.
The Toronto Titans and Toronto Jr. Canadiens both came away with 2-0 records following Day 1 action while the Don Mills Flyers (1-0-1), Barrie Jr. Colts (1-0-1), Huron-Perth Lakers (1-0-1) and Ottawa Myers Automotive (0-0-2) remained undefeated through their two games.
Toronto Jr. Canadiens forward Jax Pereira leads the showcase with six points (4-2–6) through two games while forwards Frank Popkie of the North Bay Trappers and Ty Robar of the Toronto Titans each scored three times.
An eight-game Saturday schedule is underway at Joshua’s Creek Arena, with the first of four Quarterfinal matchups beginning at 3:00pm.
Here’s a closer look at Friday’s results:
Game 12 – Barrie Jr. Colts 7, Soo Jr. Greyhounds 3
A 4-3 game entering the third period, Barrie pulled away with three in the final frame as the Colts had goals from seven different scorers in their commanding victory.
Game 11 – Halton Hurricanes 1, North Bay Trappers 4
The North Bay Trappers stunned the OMHA champion Halton Hurricanes, dropping them to 0-2 in Friday’s action as Frank Popkie scored a pair of goals including the deciding marker on the power play at 9:07 of the second period. Cedar Montreuil picked up a goal and an assist while goaltender Gavin DeFrancesco came up with some big saves along the way.
Game 10 – Toronto Titans 5, Sun County Panthers 3
The Toronto Titans handed the ALLIANCE Finalist Sun County Panthers their first loss of the showcase, overcoming a 3-2 deficit with three third period goals. Carter Lewandowski scored a pair of goals in the victory while Louis Lettieri had a goal and an assist, helping the Titans improve to 2-0.
Game 9 – Don Mills Flyers 3, Ottawa Valley Titans 0
The Don Mills Flyers came off a 2-2 tie to start Friday’s action, blanking the HEO champion Ottawa Valley Titans 3-0. Noah La Gambina turned in a shutout for the Flyers as their win was powered by goals from Brian Xiao, Lincoln Cumming and Will Matheson.
Game 8 – Soo Jr. Greyhounds 2, Ottawa Myers Automotive 2
Sault Ste. Marie and Ottawa fought to a 2-2 draw as Jack Malandra’s goal with 6:14 to go in the second period was the equalizer. Karsten Barbeau picked up a pair of assists for Ottawa.
Game 7 – North Bay Trappers 1, Toronto Jr. Canadiens 5
JRC climbed out to a 3-0 lead after one period and never looked back, earning their second win of Friday’s action. Jax Pereira scored twice for the Jr. Canadiens while Keaton Ardagh, Noah Laus and Kingston Harris all registered a goal and an assist.
Game 6 – Toronto Titans 4, York-Simcoe Express 3
The York-Simcoe Express put on a third period push, but it wouldn’t be enough to overcome a 3-1 deficit entering the final frame as the Toronto Titans held on for the win. Ty Robar scored a pair for the Titans while Michael Tang and Ryan Hanrahan both picked up a goal and an assist. Blueliner George Raymond had a pair of helpers in the winning cause. YSE’s Sam Roberts led his team offensively with a goal and an assist.
Game 5 – Ottawa Valley Titans 2, Huron-Perth Lakers 5
Lyndon Cabral had two goals and an assist as the ALLIANCE Finalist Huron-Perth Lakers bested the Ottawa Valley Titans. Kane Barch and Matthew Henderson both recorded a pair of assists in the victory as the Lakers were backed by a fine goaltending performance by Vaughn Barr. Huron-Perth improved to 1-0-1 with the win following a tie against Don Mills to begin the day.
Game 4 – Ottawa Myers Automotive 2, Barrie Jr. Colts 2
A pair of shorthanded goals in quick succession to close out the second period pulled Ottawa Myers Automotive into a tie with the Barrie Jr. Colts and that’s where the score would stay. Ottawa’s Ethan Suski and Barrie’s Malcolm Rose kept the score tied as both teams began the showcase with a draw.
Game 3 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens 5, Halton Hurricanes 0
The Toronto Jr. Canadiens flexed their offensive muscle, blanking the OMHA champion Halton Hurricanes 5-0. After a scoreless first, JRC thundered out of the gate for four goals in the second. Jax Pereira led the way offensively with two goals and an assist while Connor Adam had a goal and a helper. Ethan Maniaci logged the shutout for the Jr. Canadiens in their dominant start.
Game 2 – York-Simcoe Express 1, Sun County Panthers 5
The Sun County Panthers used a four-goal second period to overcome the York-Simcoe Express. Eamon Edgar enjoyed a three-point showing (1-2–3) while Brayden Lappalainen had a goal and an assist. Sun County managed to hold-off York-Simcoe over the course of a trio of third period power play opportunities.
Game 1 – Huron-Perth Lakers 2, Don Mills Flyers 2
The ALLIANCE Finalist Huron-Perth Lakers and GTHL champion Don Mills Flyers began the 2023 showcase with a tie. Don Mills’ Lincoln Cumming scored the tying goal with 5:07 to spare in the third period as the GTHL champs avoided a tournament-opening upset. Cumming and teammate Andy Huang both had a goal and an assist for the Flyers.
