February 28, 2026 | Exeter, ON — The stakes could not have been higher. On a chilly Saturday morning in Exeter, the U13 Dorchester Dragons marched into enemy territory to face the South Huron Sabres — the only other unbeaten team remaining in the ultra-competitive Group C LMLL playoff round robin. Halfway through the round robin tournament, neither squad had tasted defeat. By the final buzzer, only one remained unscathed. And it was the Dragons.
Photo: Lampkin and Lobb spring Papel and Gardner for a 2 on 0 breakaway. 8 seconds later the puck was in the Sabres' net.Pregame Focus: Vision and Discipline
The message from the coaching staff was clear: heads up, see the whole ice, and stay out of the penalty box.
The last meeting between these two heavyweights saw the Sabres capitalize twice on the power play. This time, the Dragons were determined to control the game at even strength — and control it they did.
First Period: Dragons Strike First
The Dragons wasted no time turning preparation into execution.
Defensive stalwarts Callum Lampkin and Ethan Lobb made a crisp breakout play that sprung Xavier Papel and Cameron Gardner on a breathtaking 2-on-0 rush. As they closed in on the Sabres netminder, Papel made the call.
He wound up.
He fired.
Top left corner. No mistake.
1–0 Dragons.
But the Sabres would not go quietly.
With just two minutes remaining in the opening frame, a risky pinch by the Dragons allowed the Sabres’ dangerous #41 to break free. The Exeter crowd rose to its feet sensing the equalizer — but goaltender Trent Pietarinen had other plans.
Calm. Square. Unshakeable.
Pietarinen tracked the puck perfectly and robbed the breakaway with a pad save that preserved the lead and set the tone for what was to come.
Second Period: Grit and Growth
Just 34 seconds into the second, Alternate Captain Ben Pink doubled the lead.
Once again Lampkin initiated the play, and Pink bulldozed his way through scrambling defenders with a powerful individual effort before stuffing the puck home.
2–0 Dragons.
The Sabres pushed back hard. A neutral zone turnover created another dangerous rush — but Ben Evans’ relentless backcheck erased the threat. It was a perfect embodiment of the Dragons’ evolving team ethos: two-way commitment and tireless effort.
Still, the Sabres would eventually break through. After extended pressure in the Dragons’ zone, a late-period shot beat Pietarinen with 2:43 remaining.
2–1.
Game on.
Third Period: Adversity and Answer
Five minutes into the third, the Sabres caught a lucky bounce. A shot ricocheted off the post, landed in the crease behind Pietarinen, and in the scramble was inadvertently nudged into the net.
Tie game.
The home crowd erupted.
But this Dragons group has been here before.
Back on October 20th in Dorchester, they stunned these same Sabres with a furious third-period comeback. That resilience — that refusal to fold — has become part of their identity.
Midway through the frame, Dexter Hacche took the Dragons’ first penalty of the game with 7:01 remaining. It was a massive test.
The penalty kill stood tall.
Sticks in lanes. Bodies in shooting lanes. No clean looks.
Momentum preserved.
The “Thorndale Crew” Delivers
Just 90 seconds after killing the penalty, the feared “Thorndale crew” hopped over the boards.
Everett Elliott moved the puck to Pink. Pink lifted his head — just as the coaches had emphasized — and spotted Gardner out front.
Snap.
Goal.
3–2 Dragons.
It was Gardner’s milestone 40th point of the season, further cementing his reputation as a dangerous finisher for the divisions' 2014 born players.
Closing It Out Like Contenders
The Dragons didn’t sit back.
They pressed.
They controlled.
They refused to allow the Sabres to pull their goalie. With 38 seconds left, the Dragons drew a tripping penalty in the Sabres' end, sealing the territorial advantage.
As the clock ticked down, a sea of red jerseys formed an impenetrable wall in front of Pietarinen.
Final horn.
Sticks in the air.
Another statement victory.
The Dragons improve to 2-0-1, holding a narrow edge atop Group C. The Sabres fall to 1-1, but their heart and skill ensure this rivalry is far from over.
Stars of the Game
Player of the Game: Trent Pietarinen
Tested repeatedly with quality chances, Pietarinen was the backbone of the victory. His first-period breakaway save changed the entire trajectory of the game. Calm under pressure. Elite when it mattered most.
Hardest Worker: Xavier Papel
An incredibly tight race for this honor.
- Ben Evans’ backcheck was game-saving.
- Phoenix Stratton created chaos at the net front all morning.
- Ethan Lobb continued his poised, puck-protecting excellence.
But Papel’s red-hot scoring touch combined with his leadership in all three zones gave him the nod. His growth in two-way play has mirrored the team’s rise all season.
What’s Next?
The Dragons return home tomorrow at 2:30 PM to host the Port Stanley Jr. Sailors — a team they battled to an electrifying 4–4 draw during the regular season.
Dragons fans are in for another thriller.