The Dorchester Dragons wrapped up their regular season in dramatic fashion on Sunday, February 8th, hitting the road for a playoff-seeding showdown against the St. Mary’s Rock Blue squad at the Pyramid Centre. It was a fitting stage for a matchup that showed just how far both teams have come since their first meeting back on October 11th—only the second game of the season. The growth was obvious from the opening faceoff.Thanks to the St. Mary’s Rock Blue Team YouTube channel, fans who couldn’t make the trip can relive every moment of the action here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/H5fBJ_vJnwk?si=IrhpfHXDl2c_2Quy
From the start, defensive discipline set the tone. Quality scoring chances were hard to come by in the first period as both teams clogged the neutral zone and protected the middle of the ice. Midway through the frame, Rowan Kusters provided a burst of energy, hustling the puck out of the Dragons’ zone and over the Rock blue line. As he tangled with a defender, Kusters nudged the puck to Jacob Hutchison, who unloaded a blistering slapshot from the slot. The shot beat the goaltender clean—but cruelly rang off the left post and slid harmlessly away. After the first period, the scoreboard still read 0–0.
The second period followed a similar script. Ben Evans narrowly missed the net with a point shot, and Mateo Duarte came inches away on a rush, but once again the story was the duel between two committed defenses and sharp goaltending at both ends.
The breakthrough finally came with seven minutes remaining. Xavier Papel carried the puck in from the blue line and was tripped by a Rock defender. As he went down, Papel had the presence of mind to slide the puck forward to Dexter Hacche, stationed in his familiar spot at the top of the crease. Hacche wasted no time, snapping home his ninth goal of the season low past the Rock goaltender. The goal silenced the home crowd and sparked celebrations among the traveling Dragons faithful.
Hockey, however, can be a cruel game. As Caleb Mitchell attempted to clear the puck from the front of the Dragons’ net, he fired it toward the boards, unaware that Harrison Austin had stepped in to help secure the crease. The puck deflected off Austin and into the net past Pietarinen. Both players collapsed to the ice in disbelief—one of those heart-stopping moments that reminds everyone that even at the highest levels, from the World Juniors to the NHL, strange bounces happen.
Refusing to fold, the Dragons dug in. With 1:21 left on the clock, the coaching staff called a timeout and sent out a group designed to spark one final push: Pink, Papel, Everett Elliott, Kusters, and Mitchell. The quintet controlled play for the remainder of the game, hemming the Rock in their own zone and forcing defenders into scramble mode. Elliott came agonizingly close to sealing the win, just missing on a centering attempt as the final seconds ticked away.
While the Dragons will have to wait another week for the regular season to conclude and for their first-round LMLL playoff opponent to be determined, the performance was an encouraging sign of a team peaking at the right time. The next challenge comes quickly, as Dragons fans can look ahead to the Max Partlo Memorial Tournament next weekend in Tillsonburg, Ontario.
Post-Game Honours
Player of the Game:Harrison Austin
Austin led by example, displaying leadership, hustle, and heart. His intense will to win was contagious and served as a powerful motivator for his teammates.
Hardest Worker:Hudson Burroughs
Living up to his never-quit reputation, Burroughs continued to cement himself as a defensive-minded forward. His timely clears and relentless pressure in the third period played a crucial role as the Rock tried to build momentum.
As the Regular Season and first two tournaments of the season are complete lets give a hand to our Dragons stats leaders so far.
+/-
1. Xavier Papel +29
2. Caleb Mitchell +23
2. Cameron Gardner +23
4. Ben Pink + 21
5. Ethan Lobb +17
Points
1. Cameron Gardner 35
2. Xavier Papel 26
3. Ben Pink 24
4. Mateo Duarte 20
5. Everett Elliott 17
Goals
1. Cameron Gardner 20
1. Xavier Papel 20
3. Ben Pink 13
3. Mateo Duarte 13
5. Everett Elliott 11
5. Rowan Kusters 11
Assists
1. Cameron Gardner 15
2. Ben Pink 11
3. Quinn Fournier 10
4. Caleb Mitchell 7
4. Mateo Duarte 7
4. Phoenix Stratton 7
Penalty Minutes. 3 Dragons players are still clinging to a penalty free season so far. Bravo.
1. Everett Elliott 0
1. Quinn Fournier 0
1. Trent Pietarinen 0
2. Phoenix Stratton 2
2. Ben Evans 2
2. Dexter Hacche 2
2. Hudson Burroughs 2
2. Callum Lampkin 2
2. Harrison Austin 2
2. Jacob Hutchison 2