Oakville Buzz head coach Sam Rook acknowledges it’s difficult to read too much into his team’s season-opening rout of the Orillia Kings last weekend.

“I think it’s more Orillia is that bad,” Rook said of the Buzz’s 19-2 victory to open the Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B season Saturday in Orillia.

True, the Kings do appear on their way to a long year. Orillia suffered a similar beatdown in its previous game, falling 19-4 to the Clarington Green Gaels last week.

But there were still several legitimate reasons for Rook to be excited about his rookie-laden squad as it prepares for its home opener this weekend against the Mimico Mountaineers.

“Our young kids continued to play the right way, rather than making it much more individual and trying for statistics,” Rook said. “That was a very positive thing for us to see. Kids at that point, when they know the other team is outmatched, tend to want to be more individual.

“We had always known we would have a very skilled team. One of the good things we learned is they are willing to buy in and play as a strong team,” he added. “(Hopefully) it will continue as we get into tougher games.”

Tougher games start Friday at Glen Abbey Recreation Centre as the Buzz hosts its first home game of the year at 8 p.m. The Mountaineers — one of Oakville’s biggest rivals — were Founders Cup national championship finalists last season.

Mimico, like Oakville, has lost quite a few key players from last year’s team. But Rook still expects a hard-fought contest Friday.

“I think they’ll be typical Mimico, playing tough,” said the Buzz coach. “They’ll make you work for everything. If you win, you’ve earned the victory.”

Long-time Toronto Rock star Blaine Manning will attend the Buzz’s home opener to conduct a ceremonial opening faceoff and sign autographs for fans.

Following Friday’s game, the Buzz will hit the road Saturday for contests in the Montreal and Cornwall areas. Oakville won’t play another home game until May 13 against the Mississauga Tomahawks.

NOTES: Robert Bentivegna (four goals, three assists), Keyan McQueen (two goals, five assists) and Jackson Hulbert (two goals, five assists) each had seven points for Oakville in the season opener. Ryan Callahan, Braden Wallace and Greg Campbell contributed two goals and four assists apiece. Eric Wales (two), Spencer Gallant (two) and Brett Ulbikas also tallied for the Buzz… Although Hulbert and Campbell had big games in their debuts, Rook anticipates the affiliate players will see more time with the Oakville Hawks midget team than the Buzz this season. “They played very well and their skills shone,” Rook said. “Our plan is to try to fit them in when needed. They’re probably better served in the long run for being the go-to guys with one of the top three midget teams in the province.”

Being short-handed 17 times (Oakville killed off all 17 Guelph power plays) didn’t help, although Gillies said the penalties go hand in hand with the team’s offensive struggles.

“I think it was a bit of frustration... not being able to get anything going and not getting the opportunities, so you retaliate more,” said the coach. “(If the discipline doesn’t improve), some guys’ shifts will get a lot shorter.”

Gillies said the team is eagerly awaiting the return of Dylan Gilbert, who had 30 goals and 25 assists with the Buzz last year. The 19-year-old Oakville Trafalgar High School grad is expected back from Davenport University in a couple weeks.

One of the Buzz’s top transition players, Ethan O’Connor, will rejoin the team in June after attending prep school in Ohio.

“We’re a little leaner this year on the offensive side, so we can’t afford to miss a few of our more offensive players,” Gillies said.

In the meantime, the Buzz is relying more on its defence, which seems up to the challenge. Led by goaltender Cam Watts, Oakville ranks second in the West Conference in goals-against average (4.75).

The Buzz will be home for its next three games, including a clash Friday with the St. Catharines Spartans at Glen Abbey (an 8 p. m. start). The Owen Sound North Stars will visit Oakville Sunday, beginning at 2 p. m.