Dorchester, ON — Saturday afternoon hockey returned in thrilling fashion as the Dorchester Dragons opened the LMLL Central Division winter season with a gutsy 5–3 victory over the visiting Mount Brydges Gold Cougars. Puck drop came at 3:20 p.m. at the Flight Exec Centre, and despite missing key personnel on both sides, the game delivered pace, drama, and no shortage of heroics.
Photo: Dragons celebrate a come from behind win vs the Cougars Gold teamThis matchup quickly became a test of depth. With many families still away for the New Year, both teams were shorthanded and without their captains. Mount Brydges was notably missing its captain, fourth in league scoring with 25 goals in just 10 regular season games, while Dorchester had to navigate the absence of captain and defenseman Caleb Mitchell, forwards Jacob Hutchison and Harrison Austin, and starting goaltender Trent Pietarinen.
Fast Start, Tight First Period
Dorchester struck first and early. Just 1:35 into the opening frame, defenseman Xavier Papel jumped into the play, carried the puck confidently into the Cougars’ zone, created space, and ripped an unassisted shot past the Mount Brydges goaltender to give the Dragons a 1–0 lead.
The Dragons leaned into their team-defense identity for much of the first period, containing the Cougars’ high-powered, run-and-gun attack. However, with 1:55 remaining, a breakdown in coverage left a Cougars forward alone in front, who made no mistake, tying the game 1–1 heading into the intermission.
Cougars Surge, Dragons Respond
The second period turned into a track meet. Both teams traded quality chances, with Dragon Rowan Kusters ringing shots off the post more than once. While Dorchester struggled to capitalize, Mount Brydges found success around the crease, converting twice from close range to build a 3–1 lead with 4:35 left in the period.
Just when momentum seemed to be slipping away, the Dragons answered. With 1:55 remaining in the second, centre Ben Pink buried a crucial goal off passes from Everett Elliott and Phoenix Stratton, cutting the deficit to 3–2 and swinging energy back to the home bench.
Adjustments Make the Difference
At the second intermission, the Dragons coaching staff made key tactical changes, emphasizing awareness of Cougars forwards leaking behind the defense and crowding the net front. With the forward group logging heavy minutes, Ethan Lobb and Mateo Duarte were inserted to form a third winger rotation, injecting fresh legs and added scoring punch.
The impact was immediate.
Early in the third, Phoenix Stratton chipped a loose puck to Xavier Papel, who once again led the rush through the neutral zone. Deftly deking over the blue line, Papel snapped home his second of the game, tying it 3–3 in a near carbon copy of his first-period marker.
Gardner Slams the Door
From there, the spotlight shifted to the crease. Filling in for Pietarinen was an unlikely but steady presence: Dragons leading scorer Cameron Gardner. A former goaltender until U11, Gardner turned in a composed performance, highlighted by the save of the night, a full-extension diving stop, sweeping his stick across the crease to rob the Cougars and preserve the tie.
That save set the stage for the decisive moment.
Assistant captain Ben Pink took a pass from Callum Lampkin at the Dorchester blue line, exploded up the left wing, danced through two Cougars defenders, and beat the goalie clean to give the Dragons a 4–3 lead — a goal that would stand as the game-winner.
Closing It Out
Mount Brydges pushed hard late, pulling their goalie for a 6-on-5 advantage. With the Cougars boasting a power-play efficiency near 40%, Dragons coaches had stressed discipline, and the team delivered. Ethan Lobb nearly sealed the win with a long empty-net attempt, and moments later Mateo Duarte finished the job, carrying the puck across the blue line and burying the insurance goal with 21 seconds left to make it 5–3.
Post-Game Honours
- Player of the Game: Cameron Gardner — outstanding in relief, making timely saves when the Dragons needed them most.
- Hardest Worker: Ben Pink — logged heavy minutes, scored twice, and finished a team-best +3.
- Notables: Phoenix Stratton contributed two assists, while Xavier Papel continued his strong season with two goals and a +2 rating, now leading the team in plus/minus.
Up Next
The Dragons won’t have long to celebrate. Fans can look forward to an intense stretch next weekend as Dorchester faces three games in three nights, beginning Saturday, January 10th, on the road against the Ilderton Jets Blue at 8:10 p.m.