The arena in Maxville will see some junior B hockey tonight, as the relocated Alexandria Glens take on the county rival Char-Lan Rebels in the pre-season opener for both teams.

The EOJHL contest, which is sold out, is set for an 8 p.m. puck drop.

ice sheet — The ice in Maxville (submitted photo)

The game marks a return to “normal” play at least to the extent that the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and necessary health and safety rules allow. All players and team staff are required to be vaccinated. As well, fans attending games, under new guidelines set by the Conservative Ford government, will be required to present identification and proof of full vaccination before being allowed access to the rink.

For more on the league policy that covers players and team staff please see this earlier story.

Tomorrow, September 18, the Glens and Rebels will play again, but in Williamstown, starting at 8 p.m.

Alexandria also has a pair of pre-season tilts booked with the Casselman Vikings: September 23 in Casselman (7:30 p.m. start) and September 24 in Maxville (8 p.m. start).

Char-Lan’s other exhibition contest is set for September 24 in Embrun, with the Rebels taking on the Panthers, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Vikings opened their pre-season last night, hosting the Winchester Hawks in a 4-3 loss. Four Hawks scored in the win: Kyle Filion, Jacob Giaccobi, Reese Donnelly, and Julian Luberto. Picking up assists were Evan Houle, Declan Campbell-Hill, Josh Tapp, Patryk Kostrzewa, Brayden Potvin, and Nathan Lassenba. Nico Pozzebon, formerly of the Glens, led the Casselman offence in this match, scoring a goal and potting an assist. Alex Simard and Simon Batiste had the other Vikes tallies, while notching helpers were Vincent Bastien and Justin Trudel.

The Hawks have five further pre-season games booked: tonight and tomorrow evening in Embrun (both 7:30 p.m. starts), September 23 on the road against the Ottawa West Golden Knights (7:15 p.m.), September 24 at home versus the Athens Aeros (8:15 p.m), and September 26 in Athens (2:15 p.m.).

Around the EOJHL

Matt Carr has been named the league’s referee-in-chief. For the EOJHL announcement, please see this page.

The Alexandria Glens recently completed a trade with the Winchester Hawks, sending defenceman Patryk Kostrzewa and a player development fee west, in exchange for forward Frédéric Knight.

The Char-Lan Rebels closed out the summer with an August 28 golf tournament at Summerheights.

Char-Lan Rebels golfers (submitted photo)

In case you missed this earlier story, click here to read about the new EOJHL commissioner for the 2021-22 season.

The Glens have a new head coach this season. If you missed my earlier story about this, you can catch up here.

sportguysean’s hat trick

Junior B hockey teams hit the ice tonight to…