Tim Ruhnke – Recorder & Times
They’re hoping for better results in the new year.
The Brockville Braves will kick off 2023 at home against the Nepean Raiders on Friday night. Game time at the Memorial Centre is 7:30.
The Jr. A Braves (14-14-1) entered the new year in eighth place in the 12-team Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). The top eight teams at the end of the 55-game regular season advance to the playoffs.
Brockville leads the ninth-place Kemptville 73’s by four points.
Nepean (6-19-0-3) is 12th in the league, one point behind Pembroke.
The Braves won their first three games against the Raiders this season by scores of 5-1, 5-2 and 5-0.
Overall, though, it has been an up-and-down season for Brockville. The team parted ways with head coach Randy Jones in November; GM and co-owner Dustin Traylen is serving as interim head coach.
“It was bit of a rocky road at the start, but I think we came together pretty well,” Braves captain Thomas Haynes said in a recent interview. “I think we’re trending upwards, for sure.”
“I think we’ve had a lot of growth as a group,” the captain said. “Have each guy individually make improvements, and I think that will set us up really well for the playoffs
Haynes is in his final year of junior hockey. He’s committed to Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania for 2023-2024.
“You always want to finish winning,” he said. But there’s more than just hoisting a trophy, according to Haynes. There are moments along the way that may seem small but are still important. Winning game seven of the quarter-finals in the fourth overtime period early last spring is an example of that.
When asked to describe his year and a half in Brockville, “perfect” was Haynes’ response. “I love everything about the city… the water… Great spot. Underrated, and couldn’t be happier that I’m here.”
Up County Road 29, the Smiths Falls Bears will also open 2023 at home Friday night. Smiths Falls (19-8-1-2) is third overall, three points behind second-place Navan.
The Bears will host the Renfrew Wolves, who are tied for fifth at 16-8-1-2.
Brockville will then face the Wolves in Renfrew Saturday night.
Kemptville (10-13-4-1) will host Rockland (13-11-2-2) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Nationals are one point up on Brockville.
The Braves and Raiders will face off again next Tuesday as part of the CCHL Winter Showcase at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. That game on Pad 2 starts at 6. On Pad 1, Smiths Falls and league-leading Ottawa will play at 12:30. Kemptville will take on Carleton Place on Pad 1 at 5:30.
Smiths Falls captain and reigning CCHL MVP Sean James continues to lead the league scoring race.
Side notes: Haynes indicated that stuffing – no apple or raisins, just classic Italian – with gravy is his go-to at the Christmas dinner table. The no-go side dish: green beans.
And he is hoping to score a goal or two with the new hockey stick he got for Christmas.
Days after the interview was conducted, Haynes became a member of the Bears.
Original Story at Recorder.ca
