Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Home was sweet for the Deseronto Bulldogs who picked up their first victory of the season with an 8-4 win over the West Carleton Rivermen on Saturday.
The game marked the Bulldogs’ triumphant return to the Deseronto Community Rec Centre for the first time since February of 2020. Following their inaugural Sr. A season, hockey activities were shuttered due to the pandemic, relegated to just exhibition games in neighbouring Napanee last spring. Their return to the dog pound was delayed by two weeks when the arena wasn’t quite ready for hockey, forcing their regularly scheduled Oct. 9 home opener to be played in Napanee instead.
In the end it all proved to be worth the wait as the Bulldogs roared to a 4-0 lead in the first courtesy of single goals from Cullen Hinds and Joey Mayer while William Lamoureux scored twice en route to an eventual hat trick.
West Carleton didn’t make their way onto the score sheet until the 5:11 mark of the second period. The two teams alternated goals in the second with Ethan Cohen and Lamoureux each scoring for the home team.
West Carleton scored twice in the third to cut the deficit to 7-4 but Hinds sealed the win with an empty net goal in the final seconds of the game.
Despite double up on goals the Bulldogs were actually outshot on the night 52-36. Graeme Gemmill stood tall, making 48 saves for the win.
The Bulldogs are now 1-3 on the season, sitting fifth in the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League’s West Division. The Smith Falls Rideaus lead the way at 6-0 (12 points) followed by the 4-2 Rivermen (nine), 3-1 Tweed Oil Kings (six) and the 2-2 Gananoque Islanders (two). The Frontenac Phantoms remain winless in three games played.
Deseronto’s next game will see them welcome the Oil Kings to the Deseronto Community Rec Centre on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.