CORNWALL, Ontario – A lineup of spectators anxiously awaited entrance into the OHL Labour Day hockey game at the Cornwall Civic Complex on Monday, Sept. 2, with the Kingston Frontenacs facing off against Ottawa 67’s.
The final score saw the Frontenacs victorious 8-5. The game was action packed, with a few goals scored within minutes of the puck drop and a few jovial fights on the ice. This is the second year an OHL face-off has taken place locally during the Labour Day long weekend, according to Lorne Taillon, City Leisure Arts Coordinator.
“It’s kind of a nice day to start the hockey season off. It’s good to see all the kids here. I’m excited to watch the game, sit here and have some popcorn and enjoy…” said Mayor Bernadette Clement, who noted that this was her second puck drop in the Ed Lumley Arena. The OHL regular season kicks off on Sept. 19.
“It’s a great opportunity with our history in the OHL,” said Taillon, eluding to both the Fronts and 67’s being big rivals of the Cornwall Royals, whose three Memorial Cup banners still hang from the rafters of the Civic Complex.
Tickets into the game were $9 for adults and $6.50 for children.
An announcement was made before the game that the 2020 World Junior A Challenge will be hosted in Cornwall next year, drawing top hockey players from across the globe. A 2019 World Junior A Qualifier was held in Cornwall last month, with NHL scouts and coaches monitoring top OHL athlete’s performances before competing in the Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C. at the end of the year. To read more about the Qualifier that took place at the Benson Centre, click here.
