Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Landon Punchard scored 21 seconds into Saturday’s game to give the home team Deseronto Bulldogs an early lead in their second Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League game.
The celebration was short lived however, as the West Carleton Rivermen responded with seven unanswered goals en route to an 8-4 victory, handing the Bulldogs their first loss.
Punchard’s goal held as the lone goal until the 6:28 mark when West Carleton’s Zack Rheaume knotted the game at 1-1. For the Rivermen it stood as their first goal in franchise history, as Saturday marked their EOSHL season opener.
They didn’t have to wait long for their second as Adrian Moyes scored less than six minutes later followed by Ryan Lough 41 seconds later.
The Rivermen continued their scoring prowess into the second period as they potted four goals in opening 6:35. The sixth goal of the game was enough to chase starter Graeme Gemmill, who was replaced by Kira Hurley, marking her season debut. She turned in a strong performance, stopping 26 of the 28 shots she faced.
Kira Hurley made 26 saves in relief for the Deseronto Bulldogs. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Braedyn Asselstine broke up the Rivermen’s string of scoring with his second of the season at the 8:54 mark of the middle frame, cutting the deficit to 7-2. The Rivermen’s Kurt Gowdy responded with what would be the visitor’s final goal of the game. Asselstine would score another and Joey Mayer would add one to bring the Bulldogs to within 8-4, but that was as close as they’d get.
Deseronto went 1-4 on the power-play while West Carleton was held scoreless on their two opportunities.
Deseronto will have another shot at the Rivermen on Friday when they travel to West Carleton for their first road game on the season. They’re back home the next night, when they welcome the Maxville Millionaires. Puck drop for Saturday’s game is 6:30 p.m. at the Deseronto Community Rec Centre.