Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Deseronto Bulldogs will be looking for a fresh start in 2023 following a 5-2 loss to the Gananoque Islanders on Dec. 30 to close out the year.
That loss runs their losing streak to a season high three games-a trend they’ll hope to reverse over the final two months of the season.
Friday’s game in Gananoque was actually a make up of the previous week, which was postponed due to weather.
While the top ranked Islanders were likely among the last teams the Bulldogs wanted to see as they work on their struggles, they did give them a run for their money, trailing by just a goal heading into the final period.
Deseronto had the early lead as Jonny Hill scored just after the midway mark of the first period. That goal held until the final seconds of the frame when Gananoque’s Chad Duchesne scored the equalizer on the power-play.
Deseronto struck early in the second when Ryan Dreossi converted a pass from Hill to put the visitors up 2-1.
It would be all Gananoque from there however as they scored twice to close out the second and then added two more in the third to seal the win. The match was actually just a one-goal game before the Islanders scored twice within the final six minutes, the last goal fired into an empty net as the Bulldogs tried a last ditch effort to get back on the board.
Deseronto’s Corey Kuypers finished with 47 saves in the losing effort.
The three game losing streak drops the Bulldogs to 6-9 on the year, placing them fifth in the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League’s West Division, eight points back of first place Gananoque.
The Bulldogs have five games remaining in the regular season, starting this Saturday when they hit the road to face the Frontenac Phantoms. Game time is 7:30 p.m.