Defending champs on the ropes

  Dolphins looking at a 3-1 hole to Lambeth in the PJHL Yeck final

Monday, March 12, 2018

   Dorchester Dolphin Ryan Poley (10) and Lambeth Lancer Brody Smith (14) collide, during game four of the PJHL Yeck Division final, Monday, at the Flight Exec Centre. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

By Rob J. Ross 

DORCHESTER - If the Dorchester Dolphins want to three-peat as champions, they will have to win three consecutive games first.

The Dolphins face that challenge, trailing the Lambeth Lancers, three games to one, in the Provincial Junior Hockey League Yeck Division final, following a 5-2 game four loss, Monday, at the Flight Exec Centre.

 "It wasn't like last night (a 5-2 win in game three). Last night, we played 60 full minutes. I think we played 14 minutes tonight. You're not to going to win playoff games playing 14 minutes," Dolphins' head coach Tim Flynn said. "The second period was one of our worst periods all year and then we come out in the third like gangbusters and get back into the game."

The Lancers led 3-0, heading into the third period, before the Dolphins provided push back.

"We had our opportunities. We hit a couple bars, (Brent) House had a good chance and their goalie (Zack Weir) made a really good save," said Flynn. "We had them on their heels for a bit (third period) but could not finish."

Lucas Wilson, one of the Dolphins' most consistent players throughout the playoffs, put his team on the board in the opening minute, with his playoff leading 12th goal. Dylan Buckholz, with his 10th goal, from Wilson and James Newland, on the power play, pulled the Dolphins to within a goal.

Dorchester couldn't find the equalizer, even with, although brief, a five-on-three man advantage. The Dolphins pulled goalie Riley Brown with a minute remaining, but the Lancers hit the empty net and then added a power play goal.

"We made a few mistakes that ended up in our net. The third goal was just a bad deflection. There were a lot of penalties, a lot of power plays. We got away from our game plan," Flynn said. "When we get into a game with a lot of penalties, we don't get all of our guys involved. That's something we really have to work on. We need a game where it's five on five with an odd penalty. Then we can roll all four lines."

Brody Smith, with the opening and closing goals, Kyle Hunter, Billy Finney and Mitchell Jenner, scored for Lambeth.

Weir finished with 42 saves. Brown made 28 stops.

The Dolphins lost captain Tim Pieper, after suffering a concussion from a hit late in the first period. He was taken to hospital.

"It was a definitely a head shot, attempt to injure," said Flynn. "The puck was gone. The kid charged, leaves his feet and elbows (Pieper) in   the head. No call.

'

Lambeth Lancers' Ray Robbins, left and Carson Esipu, sandwich Dorchester Dolphin Dylan Buckholz, during game four of the PJHL Yeck Division final, Monday, at the Flight Exec Centre. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

"He's our leader. It's too bad. We'll miss him."

The game was the third consecutive 5-2 score. Game one was 3-2 for the Lancers.

Game five, is Wednesday at Lambeth. Game six, if required, is Friday at Dorchester.

"It's do or die. We have to suck it up and bring it all Wednesday," Flynn said. "All we can do is take one game at a time. We have to be mentally and physically prepared to play shift by shift."

Dorchester won the past two Yeck Division titles, by taking the championship series in seven games both years.

Wilson leads all Yeck Division playoff scorers with 25 points. The 22-year old had 34 goals and 34 assists in 58 career junior playoff games.

Newland has five goals and 10 assists, tied for most points (15) by a defenceman this playoff, with Lambeth's Keith Arnold, who has two goals and 13 assists.