Ontario Hockey Association

(Mount Forest Confederate Photo)

The revolving door that has become the Mount Forest Patriots bench continues to spin this week. At the close of last season, two-time Western Jr. C coach of the year Gerry Hillier was replaced by Bryan Povey as the Patriot bench boss for 2008/09—yet Povey was out the door before the team played even a single game this fall.

Cornelius Marynissen stepped up to fill the void as the Patriots began their on-ice play, but management felt further changes were necessary to right the floundering Patriots and send the team on a path to success.

Enter Cody Feltis. The former Patriot player and current general manager will step behind the Pats bench as interim coach for two home games this weekend, as he searches for a new coaching staff. Feltis said he is actively seeking a coaching staff with junior hockey experience, one with dedication and drive that will be a good fit for the rebuilding Mount Forest franchise. He said a selection of former players will return to the team for this weekend’s games, in hopes of strengthening the roster and moving the team closer to win number one. “There is a ton of good potential in this dressing room,” Feltis said of the Patriots, “but it’s about finding direction right now. We’re going to bounce back, and when we do, it’ll be with a fury.” He said the team plans to get better by working harder, and their work is definitely cut out for them.

Mount Forest struggled through two home games this past weekend, as the Kincardine Bulldogs were in town on Friday and left with a bloated 9-2 victory. Walkerton feasted on green and gold as well on Saturday, rolling up a lopsided 12 -1 win.

Kincardine opened the scoring in period one of Friday’s tilt, but Patriot Jeff Colton tied it quickly with a nifty feed in front from Marlon Campbell and Mark Gregory. The ‘Dogs then went on a run of three powerplay goals to lead 4-1. Mount Forest’s own Ryan Pinder cut the damage to 4-2 on the power play, thanks to help from captain Bobby Nicol, but one more Kincardine tally built the lead to 5-2 after 20 minutes. The visitors added three more goals in the second period and went ahead 8-2, but the locals managed to stop the bleeding in the third and allowed only one more goal for the 8-2 final. Kincardine finished the game with 52 shots on goaltender Nick Horrigan, while the Pats managed only 16 at the other end of the ice.

Game two on Saturday started in much the same way, as Walkerton led 1-0 early in the first period, until Mount Forest rallied to tie it up. Kyle MacKenzie scored the goal, assisted by Bill Phillip and Jordan Roulston. Walkerton went on to lead 4-1 and 6-1 at the intermissions, until a six-goal third period broke the game open to a 12-1 final. Mount Forest is back on home ice twice this weekend, as Goderich sails into town on Friday, and Mitchell returns to the sports complex for a Saturday match-up. Games start 8:30 p.m.