The Chatham Maroons’ young players took center stage this past weekend as they led their team to a successful sweep.
In Saturday’s game against the St. Thomas Stars, 17-year-old forward Griffin Robinson scored the game-winning goal in overtime, securing a 3-2 victory for the Maroons. Robinson, who was recently called up from the Chatham-Kent Cyclones, has been making a strong impression on the ice with his speed and skill.
Another young standout for the Maroons is 18-year-old defenseman Evan Wells. In Sunday’s game against the Strathroy Rockets, Wells scored two goals and added an assist, helping the Maroons to a 5-2 win. Wells, who was also called up from the Cyclones, has been a key player on the Maroons’ blue line with his strong defensive play and offensive contributions.
Head coach Kyle Makaric praised the young players for their performances, stating, “They’ve been given an opportunity and they’ve taken full advantage of it. They’re playing with confidence and making a big impact on the ice.”
The Maroons’ success this weekend can also be attributed to the strong play of their veteran players. Captain Dane Johnstone had a goal and two assists in Saturday’s game, while forward Maddux Rychel had a goal and an assist in Sunday’s game.
With this weekend’s sweep, the Maroons have now won four straight games and sit in second place in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Western Conference.
The team will look to continue their winning streak as they face off against the Sarnia Legionnaires on Thursday and the LaSalle Vipers on Sunday. Makaric is confident that the young players will continue to play a crucial role in the team’s success.
“It’s great to see our young players stepping up and contributing to our wins,” Makaric said. “They have a bright future ahead of them and we’re excited to see them continue to develop and grow with our team.”
The Chatham Maroons’ young players have proven that they have what it takes to play at the junior hockey level and their performances this weekend have solidified their place on the team. As the season progresses, fans can expect to see more from these rising stars as they continue to make their mark on the ice.
