Fleming Phoenix Roundup: Sept. 30 - Oct. 1

The Fleming Phoenix struggled during their second week in rugby and soccer but the women’s soccer team were able to score their first victory of the season this past weekend.

The Fleming Phoenix logo was unveiled for the college on Sept. 8, replacing the Fleming Knight. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The Fleming Phoenix soccer teams travelled to Northern Ontario this past weekend to face the Cambrian Golden Shield on Saturday and then the Sault College Cougars on Sunday.

The men’s team were routed by Cambrian 8-0 as Phoenix goalkeeper Gabriel Nadeau faced 20 shots in the game. The women’s team also had a rough outing, defeated 10-0 by Cambrian. Goalkeeper Eve Spinks faced 25 shots in that game.

On Sunday, the women got their first win of the season, defeating Sault College 4-1 with three goals from Emma Twohey and a tally from Gemini Prue. Spinks faced six shots on net, stopping five for the win.

The men’s team drew with the Sault College Cougars 2-2 in their match-up on Sunday. Fleming Phoenix goals were scored by Anthony Wonda and Nathaniel Reid-Coke. Goalkeeper Nadeau stopped nine of 11 shots faced.

The men’s and women’s teams play next Wednesday, against the Centennial Colts at the Colts Pitch at Progress Campus. The women take the field at 6 p.m. and the men play at 8:15 p.m.

The Fleming Phoenix Women’s Rugby Sevens were also on the road this past weekend, playing three matches on Saturday.

In their first match, the Phoenix lost 38-10 to the Loyalist Lancers. Theda Anthony and Sydney Hudson both scored tries for Fleming in their losing effort.

The Phoenix lost to the Algonquin Wolves 17-7 in their second match. Montana Rank was the lone Phoenix to score a try.

The Phoenix Women’s Rugby Sevens lost to the St. Lawrence Surge 29-5 in their third match. Hollie Phillips scored the team’s lone try.

The Fleming Phoenix Women’s Rugby Sevens play again during the Oct. 14 and 15 weekend, hosting Durham, Seneca, Conestoga and Humber colleges.

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Kinsmen Minor Football League Week Three Roundup

Week Three of the Kinsmen Minor Football League (KMFL) has finished as the league played their games at Thomas A Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) on Saturday.

Sr Ticats vs Redblacks

KMFL recognized the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation prior to the first game’s kickoff. Chief Laurie Carr of Hiawatha First Nation opened the day and was joined by captains and coaches from the Senior RedBlacks and Roughriders teams. She addressed the fans —many of them were dressed in orange — about the history and importance of the day.

A ceremonial smudging and drumming song was then performed by members of Hiawatha First Nation before kickoff.

The first game saw the Senior RedBlacks defeat the Roughriders 31-12. Levi Paige had the quadfecta, scoring four touchdowns for the RedBlacks. Daniel Consiglio added a single touchdown and Brody Munnings ran in a two-point conversion. Ian Watt and Fox Theobold each scored a touchdown for the Roughriders in their losing effort.

The Tiger Cats won a tight contest, 51-49, over the Argonauts in the second game. Reid Nobes led the Tiger Cats with a whopping five touchdowns. Liam McCartie added two touchdowns and ran in three two-point conversions while Mike Bevan tacked on a single touchdown. Landon Levesque scored three touchdowns for the Argos, kicked three extra points and ran for a pair of two-point conversions. Kurtis Pawlowski found the end zone twice while Theo Edwards and Ethan Bebbington tacked on a single touchdown each.

The Junior RedBlacks defeated the Roughriders 22-0. Lucas Harrington, AJ Galloway and Beau Jannsen all scored single touchdowns. Harley Rock and Galloway each kicked for a convert.

The second Junior game had the Tiger Cats defeat the Argonauts 54-22. Harrison Anchor led the scoring for the TiCats with two touchdowns and five extra points. Benton Gallant, Jack Trull, Jacob Yarrow and Benjamin Carter each had a touchdown. Connor Dodds notched an extra point. Eli Black scored two touchdowns for the Argonauts and made converted two extra points. Sam Kelly found his way into the end zone for a score.

Halfway through the regular season, the RedBlacks are leading the Junior Division and the Tiger Cats are at the top of the the Senior Division.

KMFL is running their first Friday Night Lights games since 2019 this Friday. Guest host announcers Jordan Mercier and Gabe Robinson (Former Toronto Argonaut and Grey Cup Champion) are serving as the broadcast team for the play-by-play and colour commentating respectively. Junior action kicks off at 6 p.m. and the Seniors begins at 7:30 p.m. as the Argonauts and RedBlacks battle it out.

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Peterborough Paralympic Athlete Cody Caldwell Nominated to National Wheelchair Rugby Team For Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games

Peterborough’s Cody Caldwell has been named as one of 12 wheelchair rugby athletes nominated to represent Canada at the Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games announced by the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Wheelchair Rugby Canada announced on Monday.

Canada expects to send a team of approximately 140 athletes to the games. File Photo.

The following are the 12 representatives:

1. Cody Caldwell – Peterborough, Ont.

2. Patrice Dagenais – Embrun, Ont.

3. Matt Debly – Windsor, Ont.

4. Byron Green – Victoria, B.C.

5. Trevor Hirschfield – Parksville, B.C.

6. Rio Kanda Kovac – Toronto, Ont.

7. Anthony Létourneau – Boisbriand, Que.

8. Zak Madell – Okotoks, Ab.

9. Travis Murao – Toronto, Ont.

10. Eric Rodrigues – Mississauga, Ont.

11. Patrice Simard – Quebec City, Que

12. Mike Whitehead – Windsor, Ont.

The Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games will occur on Nov. 17 to 26 in Santiago, Chile. The wheelchair rugby tournament in Santiago will take place from Nov. 18 to 23, with the winner earning a spot in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games next summer.

The current list of athletes nominated to the team can be found online. The approved final roster will be announced closer to the start of the Games according to a press release.

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Peterborough Petes Name General Manager Michael Oke to Vice President of Operations In Five-Year Deal

Peterborough Petes general manager Michael Oke had been granted extra responsibilities as he signed a five-year deal with the team to become their vice president of operations in addition to his current role announced by the team on Tuesday afternoon.

Oke has been the Petes’ full-time general manager since Feb. 14, 2013. He served as interim general manager for four months prior to being given the permenent position. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Coming off an OHL Championship, we needed to ensure that we had a plan in place to get back to the Memorial Cup and we believe Mike can help us to achieve that plan,” said Dave Lorentz, Petes president. “The General Manager’s duties are more than just drafts and trades; the administrative part of the job has increased year after year with new policies and issues that arise from the league. Mike has the experience to navigate through these issues as well as working with our coaching staff to draft and find the players needed to make us competitive.”

The contract will run until June 2028 as he takes over the vacant role formerly held by Burton Lee. The latter left the organization in early August to accept a position as director of game operations with the Provincial Women’s Hockey League.

“Although our intent was to look for a replacement to fill the vacant business lead role, over the last four to five weeks we were very pleased to observe the growth in our staff and their initiative to take on a larger role in their departments,” said Lorentz. “Their talent and skill levels allowed the Board to reassess the business structure and reevaluate the posting. In the end, the Board felt that with Mike’s guidance, the Business staff will grow and prosper under this new reorganization.”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Peterborough Petes executive board for the trust and commitment that they have shown me,” said Oke. “It’s exciting to formalize an extension with the Petes and I look forward to continuing the work we’ve been doing on the ice and in the community.”

He originally joined the Petes in 2010 as the manager of player personnel in April. Oke was promoted to director of player personnel in July of the same year.

“I would also like to thank (head coach) Rob Wilson, as well as members of our hockey operations staff for the strong relationships we’ve formed over the past number of years,” he said. “We’ve built a strong team in hockey operations with our coaching, medical, training and scouting staff. We've also built an equally strong staff with the business department and I’m looking forward to working closely with that group as well.”

The Petes have promoted Patrick O’Connor as director of player personnel/assistant Coach to assist with some of the general manager duties. Patrick has been with the teams since 2019 as an assistant coach. Along with his duties on the ice, he is now the key contact for players off the ice. Patrick will also assist with the CHL Import Draft, especially with establishing a stronger European scouting presence as a British native.

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Kawartha Lacrosse Hosting Exhibition Game With Team Kenya; Donations Sought For Visiting Team

Kawartha Lacrosse is hosting special visitors as their U19 team is playing an exhibition game against the Kenya Women’s U19 team at Fleming College on Wednesday night.

Team Kenya during the 2019 World Lacrosse Women's U19 World Championship at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Lacrosse.

The game is running from 8 - 9 p.m.

Kawartha Lacrosse is asking for the following items to be donated to Team Kenya:

• Sticks (new or used)

• Goggles (used)

• Sports Bras

• Any lacrosse apparel (shirts from tournaments, shorts, pennies, etc.)

• Personal care/feminine hygiene products

• Running shoes

• Any old lacrosse or hockey equipment bags to carry the donations

• Money

Those not attending but who want to donate can bring them to the Immaculate Conception School office on 76 Robinson St. between 8 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. daily until gameday.

Kenya competed in the 2019 World Lacrosse Women's U19 World Championship in Peterborough as the first African team to compete internationally. The team had received an education, health benefits and an opportunity that other females in their country would not experience according to Kawartha Lacrosse.

The Kenyan team arrived in Canada on Tuesday night.

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Inaugural Women's Lacrosse Championship Captured With the Help of Three Peterborough Players; Erica Evans Named Tournament MVP

It was a historic victory for three Peterborough athletes and women’s lacrosse as Erica Evans, Lou Warner and Payton Crough won the inaugural Women’s North American Invitational (LAXNAI) tournament at the Utica University Nexus Centre in Utica, N.Y. on Sunday afternoon.

Erica Evans (left), Lou Warner (middle) and Payton Crough (right) celebrating the first-ever LAXNAI Women's tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The women played for BP Lawyers (Bergmanis, Preyra LLP), a law firm based out of Toronto, where half the players came from the Mimico Mountaineers of the Women’s Major Series Lacrosse. They defeated the Salmonbellies in a close 7-6 game in the finals to capture the championship.

Evans led her team to victory with a hat trick, scoring two goals in the first quarter and another late in the third stanza. She was named tournament MVP at the game’s end, helping her squad get a 4-0 record, recording five goals and four assists in the championship run.

“I think as a team, we worked really well together offensively like picking for each other, giving us the time and space, then defence making stops and transitioning up the floor so I give it to my teammates,” explained Evans. “It's a team sport and we do everything together and I was just able to put it in the back of the net today.”

Warner was one of two goaltenders who helped BP Lawyers earn the inaugural title. She split time with teammate Davina Gillis and took over the second half of the game, allowing only three goals en route to the championship. She let two early goals in the first 3:16 but only allowed one goal late in the game to help snag the title for BP Lawyers.

“I knew I was going in (during) the second half so I was prepared mentally,” she said. “Those first few minutes are always tough though when you go in cold without a warmup so those weren't my proudest but stepped it up in the fourth quarter and we got it done.”

Crough was one of the younger teammates for BP Lawyers and had one goal in four games. Watson has coached her in Peterborough and says her experience with her hometown teammates helped give her a surreal experience and winning a championship.

“I always looked up to them and never thought I'd get the experience to play with older people,” she said. “It's an awesome opportunity to play with different girls and learn from them even though they're my teammates and seeing what I can do better.”

Last year’s event had an exhibition of women’s games. The first LAXNAI women’s tournament was designed to grow lacrosse and spread awareness for girls and women to be more involved with the sport. This year featured eight teams that competed in the inaugural event.

“We started when we were younger and that's what we want to do is help the next generation to give them opportunities to play going forward so obviously, it's really special,” said Evans."

“It's really awesome to see how much it's grown, Erica and I were on one of the first-ever Peterborough teams when girls' lacrosse first started in Peterborough,” said Warner. “We're also on a few of the first Team Ontario (teams) that have ever happened so it's really exciting to be another first and paving the way for our young guns over here.”

”I think it's a great opportunity being at the start of the women's lacrosse and being part of the first one in history,” said Crough.

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Peterborough Petes Forward Jax Dubois's Seven Points Earns Him OHL Player of the Week Honours

With the first slew of Ontario Hockey League games in the books, Peterborough Petes forward Jax Dubois has been named the OHL Player of the Week, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

Dubous recorded two goals and five assists for seven points through two games.

During the team’s home opener, Dubois led the 2023 OHL champions with a goal and two assists in a 5-4 win over the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday. He followed his performance with a four-point night with a goal and three assists in a 5-2 win over the Ottawa 67's on Friday.

His faceoff skills were prevalent for the team, winning 56 per cent during those two games. His seven points place him atop the OHL's list of top scorers entering the season's second week.

An overage centreman from Ottawa, Dubois was selected in the 14th round (273rd overall) by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, recording 21 goals, 39 assists and 60 points over 119 OHL regular season games.

The Petes return to the ice this Thursday against the Sudbury Wolves at the Peterborough Memorial Centre with puck drop for 7:05 p.m.

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Famed Canadian Champion Skate Elvis Stojko Brings 'A Stars on Ice Holiday' To the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Dec. 8

Two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, three-time World Champion and seven-time Canadian Champion Elvis Stojko is hosting a holiday celebration and bringing his skating buddies for 'A Stars on Ice Holiday' at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Dec. 8.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The show delivers Stojko’s special holiday rendition of its award-winning figure skating show to the PMC with guests such as three-time Canadian Dance Champions and three-time World Medalists Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje; two-time reigning Canadian Champion and Olympian Keegan Messing; Olympic Silver Medalists, World Champions and two-time and reigning U.S. Pair Champions Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier; two-time World Medalist and four-time Japanese Champion Satoko Miyahara; three-time Canadian Pair Champions and Olympians Kirsten Moore-Towers & Michael Marinaro; U.S. Champion Mariah Bell; and Canadian junior champion and social media sensation Elladj Baldé.

In addition to skating, Kaitlyn Weaver has also assumed the mantle of show choreographer, the first time she has taken on this role in a Stars on Ice production.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday, with limited on-ice seating available online.

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Peterborough Petes Knock Off Kingston Frontenacs With 5-4 Win In Home Opener

The Petes’ championship-banner-raising home opener goes unspoiled as they defeated the rival Kingston Frontenacs, 5-4, at the Peterborough Memorial Cetnre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Prior to the game, the Petes held a banner-raising ceremony to commemorate their 2023 OHL Championship. The ceremony featured members of the Petes Board of Directors including President Dave Lorentz, Dave Pogue, Rod McGillis and George Gillespie. They joined general manager Michael Oke and 2022-23 Petes Captain Shawn Spearing on the ice before the puck drop.

Donovan McCoy was named the 62nd captain of the Peterborough Petes. He is entering his fourth year with the Petes after being selected in the first round, 15th overall, of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

“Donovan’s demonstrated over his time here to be a consummate teammate,” said Oke. “He’s respected by coaches, management and most importantly his teammates. He’s a very hardworking individual that works hard on the ice and in the gym and is a positive influence to everyone around him. At this time, the remainder of the leadership group will be named at a later date.”

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as Sam McCue attempted a wraparound chance but the puck went awry. Luckily, Jax Dubois became Johnny-on-the-spot and scored off the loose puck for a 1-0 lead, 52 seconds into the game. Ethan Miedema gave Kingston a highlight reel goal as he made a windmill deke over Brayden Velliaris and beat Liam Sztuska on the forehand for a 1-1 tie.

Sam McCue made a centering pass to Johnathan Melee for a one-timed shot but Mason Vaccari made the same. McCue kept hacking away at the loose puck and found the back of the next for his first career OHL goal. Special teams started to favour Kingston as Matthew Soto was able to snipe a goal from just outside the faceoff circle for a 2-2 tie going into the second period.

The Petes had to face a five-on-three penalty kill as Kingston cycle the puck and Miedema capitalized on a rebound for his second of the game and a 3-2 Frontenacs lead. Melee was able to tie the game up at three fresh off the draw. The Kingston centerman gave up on the faceoff, believing there was going to be a redo but it counted, late in the second period. The tie was short-lived as Peterborough could not corral an intercepted puck, coughed it up and Linus Hemström sniped one home for a 4-3 lead. The Petes had a two-man advantage of their own and Peterborough made no mistake as Samuel Mayer teed up a slapshot for a game-tying goal with 69 seconds left in the period.

The third period only saw one goal but it was an important one for the Petes. In the dying seconds of the power play, Tommy Purdeller from just outside the faceoff circle, wristed one home for a 5-4 lead and the Pets hung on for their first win of the season.

The Petes travel to our nation’s capital to take on the defending regular-season champion Ottawa 67’s on Friday.

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Leafs and Canadiens Alumni Face Off in Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre On Nov. 17

The first round of the Maple Leaf Alumni who will be playing Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Nov. 17 has been announced.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The announcement was made by the PMC and Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF), Your Family Health Team Foundation. The Rivalry Night features the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team taking on the Montréal Canadiens Alumni team. Proceeds support GPHSF and Peterborough Athletic Concussion Awareness (PACA).

“There is no greater rivalry in professional hockey and arguably, all of professional sports than the Habs versus Leafs,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “It’s going to be a lot of fun having these passionate fans in the Memorial Centre cheering on the alumni of their favourite teams.”

Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni include:

Rick Vaive – A prolific goal scorer, Vaive was the first 50-goal scorer in Maple Leafs franchise history, surpassing that threshold three times. His 54 goals in the 1981–82 season would stand as a Toronto Maple Leafs franchise record for 40 years before Auston Matthews surpassed it in 2021–22. Over 13 seasons, 8 with the Leafs, Vaive amassed 441 goals in 876 games.

Steve Thomas – Known as a playoff performer, Thomas scored 421 regular season goals in his NHL career, including topping the 40-goal mark twice. He had two stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, first breaking into the NHL from 1984 to 87, then again playing three seasons with the Leafs from 1998 to 2001.

Al Iafrate – Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1984, Iafrate played seven seasons on defence for the Leafs, becoming one of the best-known Leafs defensemen of the era and having the hardest slap shot in hockey. He appeared in 4 All-Star Games in his 12-year NHL career.

Todd Gill – Gill played all or parts of 12 seasons for the Maples Leafs from 1984 to 1996, finishing his nearly 20-year NHL career in 2003. He anchored the Leafs defence to two Conference Finals in the 1992-93 season and 1993-94 seasons, leading Leaf defensemen in scoring during the 92-93 campaign.

Mike Krushelnyski – A 4 time Stanley Cup champion as a player and Coach, Krushelnyski played 4 seasons for the Maple Leafs from 1990 – 1994, being an important part of some deep playoff runs. Krushelnyski is known as part of the biggest trade in NHL history when the Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings, a trade that included Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski.

Dave Reid (Coach) - A former Peterborough Pete player and General Manager, Reid broke into the NHL with the Leafs in 1988 and won a Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999 and one with Colorado in 2001. He is now a broadcaster and NHL analyst.

Additional players include forwards Rich Clune, Wayne Primeau and Dave Mcllwain, Ric Jackman and Matt Martin. Playing goal for the Maple Leafs Alumni is Adam Munro.

Lineups are subject to change and more players may be announced.

The Montreal Canadiens Alumni Team will be announced in the coming weeks according to the PMC.

Tickets are available for $25 ($20 for children) plus applicable fees online, in person at the Box office or by phone at 705-743-3561.

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