Weekend Review: Top Dogs

Mount Brydges, ON – The Bulldogs have battled hard to earn first position in the PJHL Yeck Division standings as of this morning.

The team is riding an impressive wave of form and have not lost in their last four games. As stated in the Weekend Preview, the team were looking ahead at three important games.

The Dogs dismantled the Lucan Irish by way of a 16-1 score last Wednesday. A few nights later, the team battled back to win in Exeter via a 6-4 win. Finally, last night, the Dogs and Petrolia Flyers played to a thrilling 4-3 final with the home side earning the two points in the middle period.

Wednesday, January 14 at Lucan (Attendance: 48) – Game Summary

The initial period of this tie was competitive, and it was Dominic DiFrancesco and Noah Cameron who ensured the Dogs were up 2-1 at the end of the first.

In the middle frame, it was an offensive eruption from the away side as goals came quickly and often from six different goal scorers. Andy Bastin scored his first goal as a Bulldog, Logan Forster added his ninth and tenth goals of the season, Connor Castellarin contributed a pair. Noah Cameron and Logan Gianelli chipped in as well.

In the final period, seven Bulldogs further contributed to their cause. Jack Uniac scored his first goal of the season, Blake Builder added a goal, Dominic DiFrancesco added another, while Deacon Kroesbergen, Ben Funston, and Logan Gianelli added to the scoring frenzy. Connor Castellarin capped off an incredible evening (3G, 4A) of production with his hattrick goal.

Parker Barnard stopped 14 of 15 shots in the Dogs’ goal.

The organization would like to thank H & N Roofing for their away game sponsorship.

Friday, January 16 at Exeter (Attendance: 275) – Game Summary

The Dogs needed to be quick in refocusing as the Exeter Hawks were looking for a home victory on Friday night.

The home side started extremely well and led 3-0 with under five minutes played in the first period. From there, the Dogs would mount their comeback via Luke Boere and Tim Jozsa as the first period ended 3-2 for the home side.

The Hawks improved on their lead early in the second period before Ben Funston clawed a goal back for the Dogs. The score sat at 4-3 heading into the second intermission.

The final period was all Bulldogs as Callum Statchuk tied the game. Blake Builder then added two goals which included the game-winning-goal and a short-handed empty-net goal to cap off an impressive evening – 2G, 2A. The Dogs prevailed again on the road.

Logan Griffiths was called upon on multiple occasions to make timely saves to earn his twelfth win of the season. Griffiths stopped 40 of 44 shots.

The organization would like to thank Pete’s Sports for their away game sponsorship.

Sunday, January 18 vs Petrolia (Attendance: 125) – Game Summary

An exciting and playoff-type game unfolded on Sunday evening in Mt. Brydges. The Petrolia Flyers were looking to stymie the winning streak of their hosts.

The determined Flyers prevailed in the first twenty minutes via two power-play goals. In between those efforts, JJ Fogarty struck for the home side.

The remainder of the scoring came in the middle frame. Connor Castellarin got the scoring started and tied proceedings. The Flyers replied just over two minutes later. Just over one minute after the Flyers’ goal, Dominic DiFrancesco levelled the game. Finally, in the late stages of the period, JJ Fogarty scored a short-handed goal which would eventually be deemed the game winner.

Parker Barnard was instrumental in the Dogs’ goal and stopped 44 of 47 shot pepper his way. In the process, Barnard earned his fifth win of the season.

The organization would like to thank Pink Ink Insurance for their home game sponsorship. In addition, the organization would like to thank Domino’s Pizza Komoka for the free pizza vouchers for Sunday’s game.

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PJHL Yeck Division Standings | As of 8:00am on Monday, January 19

Team	GP	PTS	WIN%
Mt. Brydges	36	44	0.611
Petrolia	32	43	0.672
North Middlesex	34	43	0.632
Thamesford	34	41	0.603
Exeter	33	40	0.606
Port Stanley	31	35	0.565
Aylmer	33	31	0.470
Lucan	33	10	0.152

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-1975-

Mount Brydges Bulldogs Media

Photography by Kassy Howard of KPH Photography

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