CARP – The West Carleton Inferno are coming out of the season two gates firing.

The National Capital Junior C Hockey League team playing out of Carp’s W. Erskine Johnston Arena is entering it’s second season in the league and in existence and are already showing a huge improvement over the first season. The team had a decent preseason, started the regular season with a couple of losses as part of a tough road trip but have found their game and their first win of the season last Sunday (Oct. 6).

“We have some new local talent and new-found success early in the season,” general manager and team owner John Miotla told West Carleton Online today (Oct. 9).

After a win and a loss in preseason action, the Inferno suffered a couple of losses as they drew a tough card losing 7-2 to the powerful South Grenville Rangers in the opening Junior Hockey Showcase (Sept. 21) in Gatineau and then again 7-1 in the first official road game of the season Sept. 28 in a rematch against the Rangers. 

Last Sunday, the Inferno headed off to St. Isidore for yet another road game while waiting for the ice to be installed in Carp. This time the Inferno came out on top with a score of 4-3. 

“Local rookies Robbie McCoy of Dunrobin and Patrick Landrigan of Carleton Place each scored their first career junior goal,” Miotla said. “Goalie Nathan Cheung of Kanata was the player of the game having stopped an incredible 65 of 68 shots.”

Thanksgiving Weekend will heretofore be known as #InfernoWeekend.

“With the ice freshly laid in Carp, the Inferno are hosting #InfernoWeekend with back to back home games this Thanksgiving weekend,” Miotla said. “We host the Metcalfe Jets on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. and host the North Dundas Rockets on Sunday, Oct. 13. Puck drop at 4:10 p.m. Come on out and support your local junior hockey team.”

The Inferno’s 1-2 record is good enough for third in the five-team NCJHL West Division. The Inferno are tied in points with the North Dundas Rockets who get second place due to having a game-in-hand on the Inferno.

The Inferno will have some work to do in the defensive end if they want to stay amongst the leaders. The team has given up 17 goals in three games. But the team has a much-improved scoring rate over last year having potted seven goals in the first three games.

Carp’s Corey Symington leads the team in scoring early in the season with a goal and two assists. Nepean’s Kyle Dykes has two goals to start the season.

A successful weekend can push the Inferno firmly in to second place in the West.