Defenceman Gavin Yoo takes to the ice for the Kings home opener. Photo by Graeden Wurster
The Komoka Kings were busy to begin the 2026-27’ GOHL season, playing twice on opening weekend.
First up was the home opener from the Komoka Wellness Centre, as the Kings entered battle hosting the LaSalle Vipers on Saturday, September 12th.
Having split the season series last year, it should have been no surprise these two squads played a tightly contested tilt from the get-go.
Led by first-year head coach Brett Hope, Komoka saw plenty of opportunities early on, opening up a 7-0 shot-on-goal advantage. It was the Vipers, though, who eventually cashed in first, putting one past King goaltender Owen Bienstman after killing three early penalties.
Tristan Witmer responded for the Kings at the 9:15 mark of the first period, sliding one out front that ricocheted off the netminder’s skate and home. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes.
Conor Chartrand, captain for LaSalle, scored the only marker in the middle frame. The power play goal had the Vipers leading 2-1 after two.
Ryan Power became the second King of the evening to score his first GOHL goal. He joined Witmer in that category to get the Kings back within one after an early LaSalle goal to kick off the period.
Unfortunately for Komoka, Kale Pucovsky would grab his second of the night in response for the Vipers to restore a two-goal lead.
Despite some late Kings chances, they would drop this one 5-2 following an empty-net goal.
The Kings outshot the Vipers 33-25 in the loss.
Chatham Maroons: Sunday, September 13
Up next was a trip to take on the Maroons in Chatham the next night.
This one got off to a great start for Komoka.
Power bagged his second of the season less than three minutes into the contest to make it 1-0 for the road Kings.
This tally followed multiple early stops from this game’s starting Komoka goalie Haydn Taylor, who went on to make 36 saves in the game.
The Maroons were able to tie the game at one off the stick of Andrew Baker before the intermission.
Last year’s leading scorer for the Kings made his mark on this year’s GOHL scoresheet in the second period, when Morgan Paine beat Maroon goaltender Gannon Hunter at 12:51.
The Maroons, however, were able to open up the lead late in the frame.
The third period saw an early goal courtesy of Chatham’s Santiago Jimines, who was joined by two more Maroons grabbing their first of the year to close out the game.
Chatham took this one 6-2.
Up Next
Komoka now turns their attention to the road ahead. The Kings will be in Sarnia on Thursday night to take on the Legionnaires at 7 p.m.
They will then return to the Wellness Centre for a busy back-to-back weekend, taking on the London Nationals to kick off the festivities at 7:15 p.m. Saturday night.
