Spirit continue to haunt Panthers in season opening rout

PICKERING, ON — Zackary Corte stole the spotlight as the Stouffville Spirit handed the Pickering Panthers an 8-0 loss in their home opener at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex Sunday night.

The Spirit captain had a four-goal evening, pushing his total to five on the season after he scored in Stouffville’s 6-3 win in Oakville on Saturday. Jacob Martineau, Nathan McKee, Elijah Chavez, and Ben Dunlop each chipped in with a goal, as well in the 8-0 rout.

It was a rough opening night for the Panthers, who couldn’t get anything going under new head coach Connor Armour. With only eight returning players and an equal number of Ontario Junior Hockey League rookies on the roster it was going to be an uphill battle against a team that has had their number.

“There’s going to be some growing pains,” said Armour post-game. “We’re going to learn from it. Just one of those nights where nothing went our way and we’re just going to turn the page on it and worry about Thursday.”

Stouffville finished 10 points ahead of Pickering last season and bested them in all four contests between the two Eastern Conference teams.

The first chance of the game went to the Panthers as they went on the power play five minutes into the first period with Cameron Martin picking up a tripping penalty.

Zackary Corte celebrating the opening goal of the game. The Spirit captain would add three more goals on the night as his team would improve to 2-0-0-0 on the season with an 8-0 trouncing of the Panthers. September 7, 2025. (Photo by Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images)

It was the Spirit who took advantage though, as they opened the scoring with a short-handed goal by Corte. The unassisted marker was his second of the season, snapping it over the blocker hand of Anthony Sciere in the Panthers net.

Pickering would get another chance on the power play with just over 11:30 to play in the first after an offensive zone slashing call against Corte. The Spirit goal scorer was not pleased with the call and ended up doubling his time in the sin bin taking an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the way over to the penalty box.

With 1:13 left in the opening period it was Corte taking advantage of another golden opportunity, potting his second goal of the game as the puck squeaked through the pads of Sciere and sat in the blue paint for an agonizing few seconds before being poked in by the Spirit sniper. Defender Lucas Manikis and forward Evan Breckles picked up assists as the Spirit took a 2-0 lead into the dressing room after a period of play.

It was domination from the Spirit in the second, outshooting the Panthers 28-6 and putting six goals past the Panthers' goalies. Spirit goaltender Hayden Sabourin was untested, registering an easy 24 save shutout, as the Spirit outshot the Panthers 55-24 over the course of the evening. 

The Panthers’ woes looked to continue as forward Carter Fogarty would take a cross checking penalty 10 seconds into the second period. A strong kill by the young squad offered up an opportunity to spark the team. 

The chippy play around the Panthers goal would continue as the Panthers drew another power play with Peter Smith taking a cross-checking penalty in the ensuing scuffle. No momentum was drawn from this opportunity as Fogarty would take a hooking penalty 34 seconds later.

Sixteen seconds into four-on-four action, a quick release from Corte whizzed by Sciere, completing the hat trick under five minutes into the second. The flood gates were opened and the Spirit struck again with five seconds left in the Fogarty penalty to extend the lead to four, as Martineau got his first of the season.

McKee wanted in on the scoring spree as he would pot the Spirit’s fifth goal of the night chasing Sciere from the Panthers net. OJHL rookie Daniel Giusti entered the game for his first taste of junior hockey action.

Corte gave the rookie a rude welcome, adding on to his big night with his fourth goal of the game. Stouffville would add two more to take an 8-0 lead after two periods of play.

Neither team would generate much in the third as the Spirit were keen to cruise to victory and the Panthers offence was tamed.

Corte is not an unfamiliar face for Panthers new captain Charlie Key. The two played minor hockey together at the Ajax-Pickering Raiders and in the pregame Key reminisced about their journeys to becoming captains of their respective teams.

“Can’t say either of us pictured this, happy for him and glad he has the C as well.”

The two teams will face-off in a rematch Thursday in Stouffville. The Panthers captain was confident his team would bounce back after the loss.

“Obviously we’re not worried, first game of the year,” said Key in a post-game interview.

“Like you said young team, first game for a lot of people. Need to get a good week of practice in and bounce back on Thursday.”