Komoka Kings Head Coach Brett Hope and staff look on during the Kings home opener for the 2026-27 GOHL season. Photo: Makenna Gray
By: Riley Gillespie-Wilson
It was a momentous night for several members of the Komoka Kings on Thursday night when the Kings offence came to life in a big way. Defeating the Sarnia Legionnaires 5-1 on the road, Komoka goaltender Owen Bienstman picked up his first career GOHL victory.
It was a night of firsts, as Dustin Sweeney bagged his first goal in the league as well.
Not to be outdone, Head Coach Brett Hope got on the board in his own right, with his first win behind a GOHL bench.
Paine Stays Hot
Morgan Paine has done nothing but fill the net for this Kings team. The group’s leading scorer from a season ago got his second of the young campaign early in the middle period, grabbing a loose puck and catching the Sarnia netminder out of position to make it 1-0 Kings.
He wasn’t done there.
After the Legionnaires had tied the game, the lead was restored for the Kings off the stick of Paine, who used his speed to get in behind the Sarnia defence and made a nice move to finish it off in tight.
Lead Bolstered by Faces Familiar and New Alike
From there it was another hot King stick that made it a 3-1 hockey game. A short-handed goal was scored off a miscue behind the Legionnaire net. Ryan Power this time got on the board with his third of the season.
Another game and another first in the GOHL tally. Dustin Sweeney drifted one through traffic and the puck had eyes, making this a 4-1 lead for Komoka.
All in all an offensive onpour as the game went on for the Kings was enough for their first ‘W’ of the season.
Up Next
The Kings are back at the Komoka Wellness Centre for a 7:15 p.m. battle with the London Nationals on Saturday night. They’ll get right back to work on Sunday afternoon, hosting the Caledonia Corvairs at 4:45 p.m.
