Bucky and the Bisschop lead Dolphins

   Dylan Buckholz scores twice and Austin Bisschop sets up two as Dorchester takes

   game one of the PJHL first round series, 5-2, against North Middlesex

  Friday, February 7, 2019

By Rob J. Ross

DORCHESTER - Dylan Buckholz lit the fire under the Dorchester Dolphins.

The veteran forward scored his second goal of the game, a power play marker, with less than a minute to go in the second period, for a 3-2 Dolphins' lead.

Dorchester carried that momentum in to the third period, concluding with a 5-2 win for one game of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Yeck Division best of seven first round series.

"That was a big goal and little less pressure on the boys. I feel we had some confidence going in to the third period," said Buckholz. "We had a self check in the room and said we have to actually lock this third period down."

Josh Short and Brody Smith, in to an empty net, added to the Dorchester total in the third period.

"That was a huge goal on the power play and it totally changed the momentum of the game, especially after going down (twice)," said Austin Bisschop, who had two assists. "To get that one for our first lead. The boys were just fired up."

The quiet game had just six penalties, with the Dolphins going one for three with the man advantage. The Dolphins out shot the Stars, 50-25, limiting their visitors to just 10 shots over the second half of the game.

"Power plays and penalty kills are make or break for playoff games. It showed tonight," said Buckholz. "We were moving the puck really well. Our team has a lot of depth and the boys are playing great. Our lines are coming together now."

 Playoff schedule

North Middlesex held brief leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first period, but the Dolphins responded quickly, including Noah Small tying the game at two on the very next shift.

"It was getting the jitters out. It's a lot of player's first time in the playoffs," Bisschop said. "I was nervous. "We went down but we scored right away. That was huge. They (North Midd) got all the momentum, but then we totally killed their momentum."

Bisschop on a line with Small and Short (BSS) had the primary assist on both their goals, with similar looking drives towards the net, before dishing off the puck.

"I thought I heard someone call for it, but Josh is a quiet kid, so you don't really hear him. But I heard something so i took a gamble on the short side and he made a nice play and shot it on the far side," said Bisschop. "They're both talented players. A little bit bigger boys so it helps me. They both have hard shots and good hands. I'm good to pass all day as I know they can score better than I can."

Short, Braidon Duncan, Dylan Van Dusen and Caden Faulkner, each picked up an assist.

Sam Baker and Cole Campbell scored for North Middlesex.

Game two is Sunday in Parkhill.

"If we do what we did in the third period when we come out on Sunday and score a few goals, we'll take that one," Bisschop said.

Notes:

All four of the Dolphins' 20-goal scorers from the regular season, found the back of the net in game one. Bisschop has 14 points in his past 13 games. Short is on a eight game point streak, with five goals and four assists. Liam McCarthy had the start in the Dolphins' net, making 23 saves.

In other opening games in the Yeck Division, Thamesford blanked Port Stanley, 5-0, Mt. Brydges downed the Aylmer Spitfires, 5-3 and Exeter torched Lucan, 8-0.