Oct 02, 2025 | Mike Gardner | 124 views
Thamesford Attack Surge Past U13 Dragons in Pre-Season Thriller
In a spirited pre-season matchup, the Hometown Thamesford Attack outlasted a visiting Dorchester Dragons U13 squad, emerging victorious with a 5-2 win on Thursday evening at the Thamesford Arena.
*Photo Everett Elliott leads the Dragons in celebration going up 2-1 over the Thamesford Attack*The Dragons, led by Centre Cameron Gardner, drew first blood with just 1:25 remaining in the opening period, as Gardner struck unassisted, putting Dorchester on the board early. However, the Attack quickly regrouped, capitalizing on a second-period power play opportunity after Dorchester's Ben Evans received a tripping penalty. Thamesford leveled the score at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
The third period saw the Dragons' Everett Elliott net an unassisted goal early, re-establishing Dorchester's lead at 2-1. In a strategic move, Dragons' Coach Mike Gardner mixed things up, flipping his forward and defensive lines for a pre-season evaluation, treating the game as a valuable practice opportunity.
Despite the experimental lineup, Thamesford's depth and teamwork shone through in the final frame, as they erupted for four unanswered goals to secure the 5-2 victory. While the outcome didn't favor the Dragons, the experience proved invaluable, especially with several of their top Major-aged players sidelined.
"Absolutely, it's a learning curve for our team, but we're focused on the positives and the growth we've seen," said a constructive Coach Gardner post-game. "Missing some of our key players? No excuses – it's about adapting and building for our official opener this Saturday."
The Dorchester Dragons are now gearing up for their season opener this Saturday afternoon, where they'll face off against the U13 Ilderton Jets in Komoka. Fans are eagerly anticipating the Dragons' official kickoff, hoping to see the team's resilience and new lineup combinations shine on home ice.
*Next Game:*
Dorchester Dragons vs. U13 Ilderton Jets
This Saturday, Komoka
Let's cheer on the Dragons as they embark on their U13 season!