Dragons breath OMHA champion fire

   Dorchester wins provincial title with a 4-2 win at home

By Rob J. Ross

Saturday, March 18, 2017

DORCHESTER, Ont. - There is a group of nine and 10 year olds wearing new red hats this week in Dorchester.

The Dorchester Dragons captured the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Atom AE title, sweeping aside the Napanee Stars in three straight games, clinching the six point series with 4-2 win at the Flight Exec Centre.

"Primarily back-checking is our strong suit. We don't give them many opportunities to score. It's kind of our secret to success," head coach Jeff Doherty said.

Mike McCague wasted no time sending the home crowd in to a frenzy scoring just 1:40 into the game.

Napanee jumped ahead 2-1, on goals by Mike Jones and Tie Wood.

Matthew Krutis tied the game in the middle frame, before Ryan Johnson put away the eventual game winner early third period. Grayson Doherty added an empty net goal.

"I'm really happy," said Johnson, who lists his game winner, assisted by Krutis, as his best goal ever. "I think we played really, really good."

The nine-year old from Thorndale, who also has an assist in the game, added the team strengths throughout the series were back-checking and fore-checking.

Jaxon Cragg and Bronson Glover, drew assists.

Dorchester won both games played last weekend in Napanee, winning 3-2 and 4-1.

"Very similar games to this one," coach Doherty said, adding Napanee scored first both times. "The second game we opened it up in the third period.”

Cragg and Tyler Libby, both had a goal and an assist in game one. Johnson also scored, while McCague picked up two helpers.

Cragg, Libby, Krutis and Peyton Morrissey, potted goals  in game two. Johnson had two assists.

Dorchester advanced to the provincial final after eliminating Tillsonburg in a semi-final and Mt. Brydges during the quarter-finals.

“I knew in October I had something special. They’re a good bunch of kids. They all get along and have a good work ethic. They’re not all superstars but they all work their butts off,” coach Doherty said. “We (coaches) always thought we had the potential and as the year went on, it just got more obvious. They were listening to the way we wanted to the job done and executed that.

 "We played the same way every time. Every game is the same process. We don’t vary from that.”

Each player and coach receives a gold medal, as well as one of the well known red OMHA champion hats. There is also another trophy to add to the display case at the FEC.