The NOJHL Hockey League opening weekend is over and done with. Expect some tough decisions in the coming days as rosters are juggled entering the regular season. That juggling will most certainly continue for a few more weeks… it always does!
The Sudbury Cubs made a strong statement with a 4-0 win over the Timmins Rock and followed it up with a 6-2 victory over the Hearst Lumberjacks. The Espanola Paper Kings also impressed, cruising past Blind River 9-0 before topping Hearst 8-2, while the Powassan Voodoos earned wins over the Soo Thunderbirds (6-3) and Soo Eagles (5-1). Other notable results included Kirkland Lake Gold Miners defeating the Soo Eagles 3-1 and Iroquois Falls Storm falling 2-6 to the Miners.
Opening Weekend
September 11 Timmins Rock (0) @ (4) Sudbury Cubs l
September 12 Soo Eagles (1) @ (3) Kirkland Gold Miners
September 12 Soo Thunderbirds (3) @ (6) Powssan Voodoos
September 12 Hearst Lumberjacks (6) @ Sudbury Cubs
September 12 Blind River Beavers (0) @ (9) Espanola Paper Kings
September 13 Hearst Lumberjacks (2) @ (8) Espanola Paper Kings
September 13 French River Rapids (3) @ (4) Blind River Beavers
September 13 Soo Eagles (1) @ (5) Powassan Voodoos
September 14 Hearst Lumberjacks (5) @ (2) Espanola Paper Kings
September 14 Iroquois Falls Storm (2) @ (6) Kirkland Lake Gold Miners
With rosters still in flux and teams making adjustments heading into the regular season, the coming weeks promise more intense competition and tough decisions for coaches and management alike. Week two of the season kicks off September 18th through 21st with eleven games on the schedule, ensuring the pace and intensity of the league remain high.
Week Two
September 18 Powassan Voodoos @ Sudbury Cubs (7:10 pm)
September 19 Soo Eagles @ Hearst Lumberjacks (7:00 pm)
September 19 Blind River Beavers @ Timmins Rock (7:30 pm)
September 19 Soo Thunderbirds @ Espanola Paper Kings(7:30 pm)
September 20 Sudbury Cubs @ French River Rapids (7:00 pm)
September 20 Blind River Beavers @ Hearst Lumberjacks (7:00 pm)
September 20 Espanola Paper Kings @ Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (7:00 pm)
September 20 Soo Eagles @ Iroquois Falls Storm (7:30 pm)
September 21 Soo Eagles @ Timmins Rock (1:00 pm)
September 21 Blind River Beavers @ Iroquois Falls Storm (2:00 pm)
September 21 Soo Thunderbirds @ French River Rapids (2:00 pm)
Every game on the NOJHL schedule is meaningful play but now the hard work begins this weekend for week two of the 2025 – 2026 season with eleven games between September 18th and September 21st.
