The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) made its return to the historic ice of the Ed Lumley Arena at the Cornwall Civic Complex on Friday, marking its first event since major renovations wrapped up last year.
This venue, once home to the cherished Cornwall Royals, has been undergoing a significant upgrade over the past year aimed at extending its lifespan.
The Kingston Frontenacs’ Adam Kelly tries to check Ottawa 67’s Brayden Jaravata during an exhibition match held in the Ed Lumley Arena on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Cornwall, Ont. The Frontenacs secured a 4-3 victory. Robert Lefebvre / Special to the
During the summer of 2025, new rink boards and glass were installed, and the refrigerated ice surface was completely replaced. While the Cornwall Colts from the Central Canada Hockey League played there during the 2025-26 season, this was officially OHL’s first return since Sept. 21, 2024.
Talked to a couple of boys pre-game and they were saying how nice the facilities looked and it was better than we expected, to be honest
Andrew Laurin Ottawa 67’s player
On Friday night, fans witnessed an exhibition game between the Kingston Frontenacs and Ottawa 67’s that ended with a score of 4-3 after Adam Kelly scored a crucial go-ahead goal with just under four minutes remaining.
Kingston took an early lead of 3-0 by halfway through the second period thanks to goals from Landon Wright, Alex Mc Lean, and Robin Kuzma.
At around 14 minutes into the second period, Andrew Laurin from Ottawa scored unassisted to put his team on board. Zach Houben followed suit with another unassisted goal right at the start of third period; eight minutes later Teddy Spitznagel tied things up at 3-3 until Kelly’s late goal clinched it for Kingston.
These two fans got into some fun as they made themselves noticeable during the exhibition match between Kingston Frontenacs and Ottawa 67’s at Ed Lumley Arena on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Cornwall, Ont. The Frontenacs won by a score of 4-3. Robert Lefebvre / Special to the
Justine Viray-Levac from Cornwall Tourism mentioned that both civic complex and Ed Lumley Arena were all set to welcome back OHL action along with hockey enthusiasts.
“I feel the energy is really great in the arena. We have a lot of families and locals and people from Ottawa and Kingston coming down too,” said Viray-Levac. “People can see everything is brighter and newer and what we can offer.”
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A crowd of about 1,013 fans attended Friday night’s game-under a quarter of what could fit in that arena. Thomas Meek was among those cheering for his favorite team while wearing his Cornwall Royals jersey; he shared how much it brought back memories associated with OHL history within these walls. He expressed that if another OHL team came back to Cornwall permanently he’d make sure to be there regularly. “I’d be coming and my brother too,” he said. “He used to take me to Royals games when I was younger so I’d come when we had our team again. We went out-of-town for games too.” A view from behind Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Matthew Minchak as he gets ready for an incoming shot from an Ottawa player during an exhibition match held in Ed Lumley Arena on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Cornwall Ont., where Frontenacs triumphed over their rivals with a scoreline of 4-3. Robert Lefebvre / Special to Meek mentioned he would definitely buy season tickets if OHL returned permanently. The players seemed pleased with all improvements made at this arena. Ottawa’s goaltender Jayden Nelson hails from Ottawa itself; he grew up playing hockey around here including facing off against Cornwalls’ Colts while representing Navan Grads. “It’s always great playing here,” he remarked while noting that “the ice was great.” For Andrew Laurin who plays right wing for Ottawa this was actually his first experience playing in Cornwall. “It looked great. Ice is great,” he said adding “Talked to a couple boys pre-game and they were saying how nice facilities looked-and it was better than we expected honestly.” Ottawa’s Brock Chitaroni (No.17) celebrates alongside Teddy Spitznagel after scoring against Kingston Frontenacs during their exhibition game held at Ed Lumley Arena on September fourth two thousand twenty-six in Cornwall Ontario where Final score stood four-three favoring Frontenacs. Robert Lefebvre / Special To During play early in first period several glass panels above rink boards came loose due hitting hard against them. “It was quite hit,” Laurin recalled about it stating “Two big boys going at it-it’ll happen sometimes especially using real glass instead practice ones.”Civic complex facility crew promptly fixed broken glass allowing gameplay resume shortly afterwards.
Ottawa’s Nolan Jackson picks up puck behind net while competing against Kingston frontents held on september fourth , twenty-sixth year Of Two Thousand In cornwall ontario , final score reading Four Three awarded favorably towards frontentecs. Robert Lefebvre / special report chronicled by Ontario ChronicalThe exhibition game presented only preview toward exciting events lined up throughout rest season ahead.
Mark your calendars: On October sixteenth & seventeenth Seaway Shootout takes place within ed lumely arena!
The Brampton Steelheads will face-off against ottawa sixty-sevens friday evening sixteen october whilst taking host upon kingston frontentecs Saturday evening seventeen oct., both matches scheduled commence seven PM!
A special logo commemorating seaway shootout weekend shall be positioned centerice throughout weekend festivity ! This two-game regular-season series announced earlier this year by league officials.
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