Kayden Oliver made a great first impression on his new fanbase on Tuesday night.
He notched four points for the Trenton Golden Hawks in a 7-1 dispatching of the North York Rangers in the Hawks 2025-26 home opener.
The night started off with a championship celebration and banner unveiling ceremony in honour of the Hawks 2024-25 Buckland Cup and East Conference championship victories, before the team got down to the business of earning its first victory this season.
Joey Brehmer struck first as part of a three-goal opening frame for an inspired Hawks club that also got contributions from Jack Ziliotto shorthanded (his first goal in a Trenton uniform) and Taeo Artichuk on a powerplay.
Duncan Schneider caught the crossbar with a long blueline wrist shot and second-year defenceman Reed Pettipas notched his first OJHL goal in a busy second period that saw Trenton pelt 26 pucks on Rangers goalie Joseph D’Angelo.
After Jacob Owsicki spoiled Finn Wilson’s shutout bid, Oliver deflected home a Matt Hicks shot that fumbled over the top of D’Angelo, then later redirected Nathan McHattie’s point shot home to put a wrap on a decisive Trenton victory.
Pettipas, Ziliotto and Artichuk all had two points each, along with a pair of assists from McHattie, Jamie Darlison and newcomer Beckett Ewart in his first game as a Hawk.
Wilson stopped 23 shots in a rebound performance.
The Hawks welcome in the rival Cobourg Cougars Friday night at 7:30 p.m. for the first of four total meetings.
(BROCK ORMOND)
