October 7, 2021 · 0 Comments
By Brian Lockhart
Fans of small-town Junior C hockey are coming back to watch their teams play now that the Provincial Junior Hockey League has started the 2021 / 22 season.
The season got underway on Oct. 1, with games taking place across the province.
The PJHL has eight divisions that play in towns across the province with most teams in western end of the map.
Although the League had a few games last season, the only play they really had were some exhibition style games that were heavily modified with a lot of new rules including no face-offs, and no contact.
While they did get to be out on the ice, most players were not really satisfied with the rules.
As one player put it, with the no contact rule, “you’re not sure what to do when you head into a corner with other players.”
In 2020 the season ended abruptly when teams were finishing up division playoffs.
The Stayner Siskins and Alliston Hornets were playing their division championship series when they were told after the second period that this would be their last game. The Alliston team went on to win that game and were later declared division champions but for most on the team, it seemed to be a hollow victory by not winning the series in regulation games.
Because of the late start it will be a short season this year. Teams will be playing a 32-game schedule instead of the usual 42 games played in a regular year.
Even with the late start and short season, fans are returning and glad to be filling seats and cheering on the hometown team.
If you are planning on attending a game there are a few things you should be aware of.
Arenas will have a cap on the number of fans allowed to be in the seats during a game. So far this has not caused any real problems.
Since you will be entering a public facility, be prepared to show your ‘proof of vaccination’ document from the provincial government. You will also be asked to provide an ID to confirm your identity is the same as on the government form.
Game schedules are all posted on the OHA website at www.ohahockey.ca.