The Terriers started slow when goalie Zach Levac allowed the first goal of the game nine minutes into the first period.
But the home side responded quickly as team captain Kyle Heitzner opened the scoring for Orillia just two minutes later, firing a wrist shot past former Terriers teammate and current Golden Hawks goalie Jason Cumbo.
The Terriers would go on to score seven unanswered goals and skate away with a convincing 7-1 win.
Heitzner finished the game with one goal and two assists, topping the score sheet with three points.
With the game well decided early in the third period, a meaningful moment came when Terriers defenceman and Orillia native Taylor Rehling netted his first career Provincial Junior Hockey League goal.
"It was a pretty cool moment to share with the guys," the smiling rookie said after the contest.
Rehling, who has played hockey in Orillia his whole life, had always dreamed of the moment that became a reality Saturday night.
"It's always been my dream to play for this team. It's what I've always strived for."
Levac also played his first game with the Terriers Saturday night and made quite an impression on the local fans and coaching staff, stopping 27 of 28 shots.
Levac says he settled right into the game after allowing the first goal of the season.
"There were some nerves, but after that first one, I knew the nerves were going to go away," said Levac, who spent last year with the Alliston Hornets.
Levac says he came to Orillia with one goal in mind.
"We came into the season with one goal in mind: It's Schmalz Cup or bust," he said of the trophy awarded to the league's champion. "We are going all the way. We have the team to do it."
Heitzner echoed his goalie's comments about the team's goal, and said he looks forward to building off the momentum of opening night.
"It was an awesome atmosphere tonight. Hopefully, as we keep going and winning games, more and more crowds keep coming out and supporting us," said Heitzner, who is playing his first full season with the Terriers this year.
Heitzner only played four regular season games with the team last year, however, he already can sense the difference between the culture surrounding the team this year and last.
"If you just go into the room you can feel all the work that's been put into this team. Hopefully, we can turn junior hockey in Orillia back into what it was 20 years ago," the captain said.
The Terriers will face a tough early-season test this afternoon when they host the Aliston Hornets at 4 p.m. at the Rama MASK.
