'Phins gives fans victory upon return

In their first home game in two months, Short and Van Dusen both pot two goals,

as Dorchester defeats the Port Stanley Sailors, 5-2, ending a four game slide

February 18, 2022

By Rob. J. Ross

DORCHESTER, Ont. - Following a two month absence the Dorchester Dolphins welcomed back their fans with a first win in just as long period.

Josh Short and Dylan Van Dusen both scored twice as the Dolphins defeated the Port Stanley Sailors, 5-2, Friday, at the Flight Exec Centre.

The victory also snaps a four game losing streak, in front of fans who haven't seen their Dolphins since a 3-2 overtime loss to Thamesford on December 18. The last win at home was a 6-0 shutout of North Middlesex on Dec. 15.

Dorchester resumed play on February 4, a 2-0 loss at Exeter.

"It was tough," Van Dusen said. "There was a chance we may not play and it's my last year, but once we got the news we were coming back I was happy. Hopefully we can do well the rest of the season."

Van Dusen missed the Exeter game, so to return after even longer absense and score twice gives the Dorchester native confidence.

"Feels amazing actually," expressed Van Dusen. "I went out there and played my best."

Van Dusen opened the scoring two minutes and 43 seconds in to the game and Bryce Darville made it 2-0, three minutes later.

"It feels good to be back on the ice and get our legs back under us,' Dolphins' captain Braidon Duncan said. "A few things we can clean up, but other than that, a pretty good game."

Dorchester led 2-0, after one period and 4-2 following 40 minutes.

Having Short and Noah Small, back in the line-up, after missing several game is a big lift for the Dolphins, who played their Dec. 21 game at Exeter, with only 12 skaters.

"That game was rough. It was exhausting," recalled Van Dusen. "We were in a little slump."

Short, also with an assist in the game, has 12 goals and 12 assists, in 21 games.

"We missed Shorty big time," Duncan said. "He can put the puck in to the net. He's a huge part of this team."

Now the plan is to approach each game like it's the post season.

"It's crunch time now," Duncan said. "(Head coach Mark Steele) said, playoffs start tonight. Every game counts now and we have to secure home ice. It makes a huge difference in the playoffs. We have to win games. We have to play our systems and everybody has to play their role, and know their role."

Jakob Marche, who picked up two assists, leads the Dolphins with 29 points, on 14 goals and 15 assists.

Jackson Mailloux was named first star of the game, making 39 saves for the Dolphins, 21 coming in the second period.

"I can't say enough about that guy. He saves us," said Duncan. "It's good to have him back there. You feel safe when he's in the net."

Andrew Gysgers, with his team leading 14th goal and Hunter Gilchrist, replied for Port Stanley. Gysbers leads the Sailors in goals and assists, with 13.

Port goalie Wyatt Slotjes made 44 stops.

Dorchester is tied with Thamesford for fourth place, in the PJHL Yeck Division, with a 13-11-2-1 record. Port sits seventh at 4-19-1-1.

Notes: Forward Eugene Spanier joins the Dolphins, coming from the Exeter Hawks. The 19-year old from Etobicoke played 16 games with Exeter. Dorchester owns the third best power play in the entire PJHL, at 45.6 per cent. The Dolphins with 581 minutes, are the most penalized team in the Yeck Division. Port has the least amount of minutes in the box. League stats have the Dolphins' penalty kill at a success rate of only 34.2 per cent, near the bottom of the league. Forward Gordon Kean has left the team, to attend school in Australia.

rob@hometownplay.ca