Arnprior Rivermen ‘steamrolling’ towards EOSHL playoffs

ARNPRIOR – The Arnprior Rivermen are steamrolling towards the post-season, in the Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (EOSH).

After a slower 2-6 start to the campaign, the Rivermen have caught fire and are now 8-8 with four games remaining in the regular season.

Rivermen assistant coach and vice president Doug Twining, a longtime Corkery resident, says the team is rounding out and firing on all cylinders.

“The room is tight,” Twining told West Carleton Online today (Jan. 23). “The boys are playing hard, and playing hard for each other. There are positive attitudes from every player, and a strive to win that shows every time they are on the ice.” 

The Rivermen are second in the EOSHL Capital Division just behind the Manotick Mariners (12-3). Arnprior’s record is good enough for the team to sit in fourth in the EOSHL Eastern Conference also behind the North Dundas Rockets (16-0) and South Stormont Mustangs (12-5) in the Seaway Division. There are eight teams in the Eastern Conference.

“It’s tough to find a weak spot in our lineup,” Twining said. “We have four lines of fast, effective and exciting players. We have guys who’ve played in college, university and Junior levels, and they know what it takes to win.”

The Rivermen have a few new faces leading the team in offence.

“Our scoring is led by Connor Noonan, Luca Nocita, and Dylan McMahon, who are putting up big numbers,” Twining said. “This year our defense has added solid blueliners in Max Saito and Tristan Francis, while Alderic Denis and team captain Matt Denis continue to be strong forces. With Carlen Lyle and Anand Oberoi sharing the crease, there is a confidence that is shown, and energy that propels the play. The guys know that most pucks will be stopped, and they’ll occasionally be bailed-out when needed, although it’s not needed very often.”

The Rivermen have four games left this season and their playoff matchup has already been set.

It’s going to be a tough weekend for Arnprior with a two-game weekend ahead of them at home in the Nick Smith Centre. On Friday, Jan. 24 the Rivermen face the division leading Mariners at 7:30 p.m. and then will take a crack at the undefeated Rockets during a Sunday (Jan. 26) matinee starting at 4:30 p.m.

The final home game of the regular season will be Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 :30 p.m. against the Mustangs.

The Rivermen end the regular season on the road Saturday, Feb. 8 against rivals the Paugan Falls Rapids.

Of the team’s final four games, thee of them are against teams above them in the standings including a team that hasn’t lost a game. A perfect warm-up for the EOSHL playoffs.

The Rivermen will play the Pontiac Senior Comets in the first round of the EOSHL playoffs. And while the teams are set for the first round, home ice will be decided in these last four games.

They are home this weekend for two games at the Nick Smith Centre. Friday night against the Manotick Mariners at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 4:30 against the undefeated North Dundas Rockets.

Twining hopes Arnprior area’s residents show up in force to back the team.

“Our fans have been fantastic and have been behind us,” Twining said. “We want to win for Arnprior. We want to bring a championship home.”