Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Deseronto Bulldogs saw first-hand why the North Dundas Rockets are the defending Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League champions, suffering a 9-3 shellacking from the reigning champs on the road Saturday afternoon.
Deseronto actually drew first blood as Luigi Martone scored just seconds into the game with assists from Brodie Maracle and Griffen Conger.
Celebrations were short-lived however as the Rockets scored four unanswered to close out the first period.
Joey Mayer got one back for Deseronto early in the second with help from Cullen Hinds to cut the deficit to 4-2. It was all Rockets from there however as they ran the table with the game’s next five goals. Mitch Merry scored for Deseronto with four minutes left in the game but it was far too little, far too late. Hinds and Mayer earned assists on the play.
Corey Kuypers allowed six goals on 16 shots for the Bulldogs before giving way to Brady Sarazin who made 27 saves while allowing three goals. Time was split almost evenly between the two keepers, each playing almost exactly 30 minutes.
The Bulldogs aren’t the only team to struggle against the Rockets thus far as they are now 3-0 on the season with a league best +14 goal differential as they look like early contenders to repeat-granted it’s still very early with 17 games to go on the schedule.
With the loss the Bulldogs fall to 1-2 on the season. They’ll look to get back in the win column on Saturday when they hit the road to face the Bytown Royals at the Richcraft Sensplex. Puck drop is 8:15 p.m. The Royals are currently 2-1 on the season.
The Bulldogs will return home on Oct. 22 to host the Glengarry Pipers at the Deseronto Community Rec Centre. Puck drop for that one will be 6:30 p.m.