Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Much like they did in their previous meeting one week prior, the Deseronto Bulldogs fell behind early against the home team Smiths Falls Rideaus in Saturday’s Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League game.
However unlike the previous meeting, there was no spirited Bulldogs comeback as the Rideaus went on to a 6-1 victory.
Smiths Falls built a 5-0 lead through the opening two periods courtesy goals from Dan McIntyre, Brett Vanstralen, Brett Costello and a pair from Michael McKenney.
Deseronto’s Jonny Hill broke the shutout with a power-play tally early in the final frame. In their previous meeting the Bulldogs were able to ride a stretch of six unanswered goals to a comeback victory. The Rideaus appeared to have learned their lesson from that meeting as this time around they were able to limit the Dogs to just the single goal. It was shortly negated by McKenney’s second of the night to extend the Smiths Falls’ lead to 6-1, which would stand as the final.
Dallas Slack earned the win with 38 saves for the Rideaus. Deseronto’s Corey Kuypers was charged with five goals over two periods, giving way to Graeme Gemmill for the final 20 minutes. He finished with 16 saves in relief with one goal allowed.
Saturday’s loss dropped the Bulldogs back under the .500 mark at 5-6 on the season, also dropping them two points back of the Rideaus for fourth in the EOSHL’s West Division. The Gananoque Islanders lead the way at 7-3 with 14 points, one up on the 6-4 Arnprior Rivermen. The Tweed Oil Kings are just two back of first place with a record of 6-4, followed by Smiths Falls (12 points) and Deseronto (10 points). The Frontenac Phantoms are last with a record of 2-9.
The Phantoms will also represent the Bulldogs’ next opponent, when they visit the Deseronto Community Rec Centre this Saturday. Game time is 6:30 p.m.