Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Riding a wave of four goals in the opening 20 minutes, the Deseronto Bulldogs defeated the Frontenac Phantoms 6-4 Saturday night at the Cataraqui Arena.
Garry Smith, Noah Brant, Joey Mayer and Brodie Maracle each found the back of the net for the visiting Bulldogs in the first period, offset by just one from the Phantoms’ Nathan Domen.
Frontenac did manage to make a game of it, chipping away by scoring three of the game’s next four goals to cut the deficit to 5-4. Mayer scored Deseronto’s final two goals, one in the second period and the other with just 21 seconds remaining into an empty net to provide some much needed insurance. Mason Mangan scored twice from Frontenac while Nathan Mutch added one early in the third to bring the home team to within a goal.
Corey Kuypers earned the win for Deseronto with 36 saves while Frontenac’s Jake Kment stopped 51 of 56 in the loss.
The win put an end to Deseronto’s three game losing streak and climbs their record to 7-9 on the year. The Phantoms dropped to 2-11.
The Bulldogs will be on the road again this Saturday when they travel to South Grenville to face the Rangers of the East Division, who are winless in 15 games played this year.
Deseronto remains fifth in the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League’s West Division, six points back of first place Gananoque and three back of Tweed, Smiths Falls and Arnprior, all of which have 17 points.
The Bulldogs will return home Jan. 21 to host the Tweed Oil Kings at the Deseronto Community Rec Centre at 6:30 p.m.