NEWS

With the roster still taking shape, some final spots up for grabs, and some of their main players out of the lineup, a 1-1-1 record was an acceptable performance over the three games for the West Durham Ironheads. Preseason is still tryout season, so with some key bodies missing, and the universal intent to impress, the Ironheads had guys step up across the board. None more so than Taggart Clark, who led the way with five goals and three assists. Not far behind was Jack Boyden, who tallied two goals and four assists. Rookie Riley Rogers was also a force in the first game of the day, scoring a goal and adding two assists. Outside of that, veteran Kurtis Rauch also had a goal and two assists, as well a couple of booming hits. The Ironheads now have some time off filled with practice both on their own as well as some intra-squad practices with their Jr.A affiliate Toronto Beaches. Their season will begin on Wednesday, May 2nd against the Mississauga Tomahawks. The home opener will be played at their new home arena, Pickering Rec Centre at 8 p.m. 

 

Game 1 of the pre-season exhibition action saw a tough matchup vs the Six Nations Rebels. The West Durham Ironheads opened the scoring with a beauty from Kurtis Rauch nearly halfway through the first period. The I-Heads added goals from a pair of rookies Zach Jouri and Riley Roger while Jack Boyden assisted on both of markers. The Ironheads then found themselves down by two heading into the third and digging out of that hole against a well established team like Six Nations is never an easy task. Leave that difficult task to Taggart Clark, who buried two goals to tie the game at five. Riley Roger would assist on both of those goals, and Jack Boyden on the game tying goal. The game finished at a 5-5 tie. Rookie netminder Liam Wright was strong in the opening frame, making many key saves keeping the I-Heads in the early saves of the game.

Game 2 – vs. Niagara Thunderhawks

Game 2 saw some familiar faces back on the scoresheet. Clark tallied his third goal of the day, fellow Markham,ON native Kris Veltman picked up the assist. Rookie Cameron McGuiness sandwiched a goal between Clark and Rogers who scored the third goal of the day. Roger's goal was assisted by Clark, and Veltman for his second assist of the game. Overall, it was a strong effort by the Ironheads, but a couple of unlucky bounces on both sides of the ball had the Ironheads falling 5-3 to the Niagara Thunderhawks.

Game 3 – vs. St.Catharines Spartan

Playing the host team, with a tie and a loss, the only thing left to add to the standings was a win. In their third and final game, the Ironheads stayed true to form with familiar faces once again loading the stat sheet. Clark opened and closed the scoring for the Ironheads, with Boyden scoring two in between, both on the powerplay. The two righties finished with three and four points respectively. Clark, was in on all four goals. Rauch, and Veltman both tallied assists in the 4-3 win.