Fifty-nine years ago, the Peterborough Community Church Hockey League’s RCAF 428 Wing Flyers captured the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Juvenile A hockey championship.

The title was decided by a two-game, total goals series. In the opening game in Sarnia, Peterborough lost 5-3. The following weekend, the Flyers were unstoppable. Led by John Halme’s three goals, the Flyers dominated play. They captured Game 2 by a 6-1 count and the series 9-6. Other Peterborough goal scorers were Jerry Kemp, Mike Rexe and Paul Epping. As OMHA champions, the Flyers advanced to play the Rouyn Citadels for the All-Ontario title.

That 1967 championship was contested in Peterborough and played at the Civic Arena on Park Street. Rouyn was defending champion, having defeated the Toronto Marlies in 1966. The visitors from the north were able to pick up four players for the final against Peterborough, including highly-touted Dale Tallon from Kirkland Lake. 

To bolster Peterborough’s lineup, coach Bill Twist and manager Jack Guerin picked up midget all-stars Ray Johnston, Steve Warr and Bryan Webb.

On March 31 in front of 1,246 fans, Richard Lemieux’s backhand shot with 33 seconds left in the 10-minute overtime period eluded Peterborough goaltender Jeff Walker, giving Rouyn a dramatic 6-5 win in the first game of the best-of-three final. 

Mike Morton scored twice for the Citadels and single markers went to Andrew Mosieko, Andre Poitras and Allie Sutherland. In what was described as a hard-hitting, crowd-pleasing contest, John Halme’s second goal at 14:17 of the third period forced overtime. Other Peterborough goal scorers were Dennis Patterson, Gary Scriver and Bill Dobbin.

The Flyers dropped Game 2, 7-5, and the series to Rouyn. In front of 1,400 fans, the Flyers played their hearts out but were beaten in overtime in a heavy-hitting, rugged, wide-open contest that excited fans from start to finish. The Flyers led 5-4 when Steve Warr scored the go-ahead marker with less than two minutes to play. But Rouyn tied it, and claimed the series with two goals in the extra frame. 

The following year, with six returning players on the 1968 Flyers’ squad, Peterborough captured its second straight OMHA Juvenile championship. This time, the Flyers travelled north to face Rouyn. Led by Jerry Kemp’s hat trick, Peterborough claimed Game 1, 5-3. Captain Steve Self and Terry Hunter also scored for the Flyers. The win extended their undefeated streak to 31 games.

The next night, that streak ended abruptly when Rouyn blasted the Flyers 7-1. This set up a one-game showdown for the All-Ontario title. Played before a packed house at the Rouyn Forum, the game was tied 3-3 entering the final period. Peterborough was outscored 2-1 in the third period, dashing dreams of securing an elusive All-Ontario title.

In the 1968-69 season, Peterborough captured its third consecutive OMHA championship. The Flyers once again eliminated Sarnia for the title, and in a best-of-three final, they disposed of Toronto champion Goulding Park. The Flyers dropped the first game 4-3, won the second 3-2 and cruised to a 5-1 win in the deciding game.

The Flyers returned for a third consecutive chance to capture the all-Ontario title. Midgets John Rutherford, Gord Watt and Doug Gibson were summoned by the Flyers for the championship that was played in Peterborough. 

The northern champion Schumacher Bears were no match for the determined Flyers. Game 1 was a rout. Peterborough won convincingly, 15-1. The next night, April 7, 1969, the Flyers finally captured the title with a dominant 8-2 performance.

The win completed a remarkable three-year run of juvenile championships.

© Peterborough Examiner