Mount Brydges, Ontario – The first weekend of any junior hockey season is usually one of lessons, firsts, and excitement for the year ahead. This past weekend was no different as the Mount Brydges Bulldogs officially began their 2017-2018 regular season. The Dogs made trips to Dorchester (Friday), Lucan (Saturday), and finished the weekend with their home opener on Sunday against the travelling Thamesford Trojans.

The early season jitters were evident on Friday night as the Bulldogs took on the PJHL Yeck divisional powerhouse in the Dorchester Dolphins at the Flight Exec Centre in Dorchester. The hometown crowd of 357 were treated to a 9-0 victory over the Bulldogs. Dylan Buckholz and Dorion Braedon contributed strong efforts for the ‘Phins as both players tallied 4 points each.

Looking for redemption, the Bulldogs travelled to Lucan for a Saturday night tilt with the Irish. For the boys in green, it was their home opener and in front of 134 fans, the Irish would fend off a potential home opening loss to the Dogs with a 5-4 win. A committee of scoring for the Bulldogs included goals from Alex Cox (2:41, 2nd period, PP), Wes Griffiths (11:26, 2nd period), Channing George (6:55, 3rd period), and Tanner Lafrance (7:06, 3rd period). Lucan’s Jason Braun would score the game-winning-goal at 19:48 of the final stanza to squeeze the Irish to their home opening victory.

The Dogs would welcome the Thamesford Trojans to the Tri Township Arena on Sunday afternoon and Boys from the Brydge were looking for their first win of the young 2017-18 season. The Trojans and Bulldogs had gone through two pre-season battles with the Dogs coming out on top on both occasions via 4-1 and 7-5 victories. The 160 fans at the Doghouse would witness the team earning their first win of the season as the Dogs downed the Trojans by a 4-2 final. Goaltender Morgan Reed would collect his first win of the season with a 33 save performance. Nathan Pawlowski would notch the game-winning-goal at 12:08 of the 3rd period. Daniel Stretton would put the game on ice for the Bulldogs as Stretton would notch his second of the contest into the Trojans empty net.

Bulldogs Next Three Games:

HOME: Friday, September 22, 7:30PM – vs Lambeth Lancers – Tri Township Arena

HOME: Friday, September 29, 7:30PM – vs Port Stanley Sailors – Tri Township Arena

AWAY: Saturday, September 30, 7:15PM – at Aylmer Spitfires – East Elgin Main

Photo by: Sharyn and Tom Crawford