Bay Cats advance to IBL Finals
By Brian Belcourt, Sep 7, 2025
In the last edition of North Simcoe Springwater News, I reported on the Barrie Baycats first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Baycats had just lost game three in Barrie, to go down two games to one. The Baycats needed to win the final two games to advance to the second round.
In game four, at Christie Pitts in Toronto, the Baycats used a strong starting pitching from Frank Garce’s the Baycats won 6-3. Garces had 13 strikeouts over 8 strong innings.
The Barrie Baycats survived and advanced. In front of a raucous crowd at Athletic Kulture Stadium, the Baycats edged the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 on Wednesday night in a winner-take-all Game 5, clinching the opening-round series and booking their place in the IBL semifinals.
Game 5 was a thriller as Barrie got out to a early lead 2-0, until the 6th inning when Toronto scored 3 times to take the lead. In the bottom of the 6th , Adam Odd crushed a two-run homer over the right-field fence to flip the score back in Barrie’s favour, 4-3. Toronto tied the game in the seventh 4-4. The game stayed this way until the bottom of the 9th. Barrie loaded the bases, with 1 out, cleanup hitter Nolan Machibroda delivered a deep fly ball to centre field, scoring the winning run from third and sending the Baycats into the semifinals with a 5-4 walk-off win.
In the second round of the IBL playoffs Barrie faced off against the Hamilton Cardinals. The Baycats used strong pitching to sweep the Cardinals, Barrie winning game one 5-0, game two 7-1 and game 3 5-1.
The sweep marks Barrie’s third trip to the finals since 2023, as the franchise looks to claim its second consecutive championship and ninth in franchise history. The Baycats will now rest and await their opponent for the IBL Finals the Welland Jackfish.
The finals best of 7 are scheduled to start September 7th in Welland. Barrie will have home games on September 9th and 13 th, and September 16 if needed.
Penetang Kings Hold Year End Awards Ceremony
Submitted by Jamie Robillard, Sep 3, 2025
The Penetang Kings will open their 2025-26 regular season on Friday September 12th at home when they face the Stayner Siskins beginning at 8:00 pm at the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre. The Kings will once again play in the Carruthers Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, which will consist of the same eight teams as last season. The other six teams include the defending league champions Orillia Terriers, the perennial powerhouse Alliston Hornets along with local rivals the Midland Flyers, Innisfil Spartans, Huntsville Otters and Muskoka Bears.
The Kings will play 21 home and 21 away games with the regular season concluding on Family Day Weekend, February 16th. The Kings’ next home game will be Friday October 3rd when they host the Midland Flyers. Between September 12th and October 3rd Penetang will travel to Alliston on September 19th, Bracebridge to face the Bears on September 27th and Innisfil on September 28th.
Penetang is planning to ice a very competitive club for the 2025-26 season with several returning veterans including the league’s Most Valuable Goaltender Landon Simec, defensemen Carson Thayer, Jacob Vanderberg and Nicolas Cage as well as forwards Carter Wilson, Owen Fuller, Matthew Laframboise, Cole Rumbolt, Wyndam Brownlee, Camron Hutchinson and Trevor Hutchinson. The roster will also include newcomers such as overage defensemen Barrie product Aiden Pethick (from Junior ‘A’ Espanola Paper Kings) and Caiden Pattenden (returning to his hometown from the Orillia Terriers), rookie defenseman Blake Weicker along with rookie forwards Noah Johnston and Emersyn Diver.
Scott Simon returns behind the bench as head coach and has added the general manager’s role to his portfolio.
The Kings look forward to seeing their fans return for the home opener and throughout the season.
Penetang Kings Schedule for September 2025
Submitted by Jamie Robillard, Sep 3, 2025
The Penetang Kings will open their 2025-26 regular season on Friday September 12th at home when they face the Stayner Siskins beginning at 8:00 pm at the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre. The Kings will once again play in the Carruthers Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League, which will consist of the same eight teams as last season. The other six teams include the defending league champions Orillia Terriers, the perennial powerhouse Alliston Hornets along with local rivals the Midland Flyers, Innisfil Spartans, Huntsville Otters and Muskoka Bears.
The Kings will play 21 home and 21 away games with the regular season concluding on Family Day Weekend, February 16th. The Kings’ next home game will be Friday October 3rd when they host the Midland Flyers. Between September 12th and October 3rd Penetang will travel to Alliston on September 19th, Bracebridge to face the Bears on September 27th and Innisfil on September 28th.
Penetang is planning to ice a very competitive club for the 2025-26 season with several returning veterans including the league’s Most Valuable Goaltender Landon Simec, defensemen Carson Thayer, Jacob Vanderberg and Nicolas Cage as well as forwards Carter Wilson, Owen Fuller, Matthew Laframboise, Cole Rumbolt, Wyndam Brownlee, Camron Hutchinson and Trevor Hutchinson. The roster will also include newcomers such as overage defensemen Barrie product Aiden Pethick (from Junior ‘A’ Espanola Paper Kings) and Caiden Pattenden (returning to his hometown from the Orillia Terriers), rookie defenseman Blake Weicker along with rookie forwards Noah Johnston and Emersyn Diver.
Scott Simon returns behind the bench as head coach and has added the general manager’s role to his portfolio.
The Kings look forward to seeing their fans return for the home opener and throughout the season.
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Date             Visiting      Home      Venue                                                 Time
Fri, Sep 12   Stayner     Penetang  Penetang Memorial CC                          8:00 pm
Fri, Sep 19   Penetang  Alliston     New Tecumseth Rec Centre                  7:30 pm
Sat, Sep 27  Penetang  Muskoka   Muskoka Lumber Community Centre  7:00 pm
Sun, Sep 28 Penetang  Innisfil      Innisfil Recreation Complex                3:30 pm
Simcoe County Rugby Glory Goes to Forest Hill Public School
By Skazin, Donald, Aug 18, 2025
Forest Hill Public School were the Simcoe County District School Champions for 2025. 68 school Rugby teams participated in regional tournaments to qualify for the County tournament. Forest Hill made it to the final game and was victorious over Minesing to become the 2025 Intermediate Co-ed champions.