Dolphins hold the Sailors at bay

         Port Stanley aims for top four position with hard working crew 

By Rob J. Ross

Saturday, September 16, 2017

PORT STANLEY, Ont. - The Port Stanley Sailors are working towards being a tough crew to battle when opponents visit the north shore of Lake Erie.

Following an 18-22-0 record, sixth placed in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Yeck Division last season, the Sailors want to navigate into the top four for the new campaign.

See complete stats at PJHL Yeck Division.

"We knew who we are. We're going to be a hard working team. We've identified early that's type of team we're going to need to be, to be successful," Port Stanley head coach Bryan Rose said. "When you're playing us, you're going to be in for a battle. We're going to come at you for three periods."

Port Stanley opened the 2016/17 season winning at Exeter, 4-2, on Friday. In their home opener tonight, the Sailors stuck with the reigning Yeck champions, but the visiting Dorchester Dolphins left with a 5-4 win.

"Nobody took a shift of tonight. I thought we deserved a better fate," said Rose. "We've generated more offence than I expected already (including at Exeter). Seeing four tonight against Dorchester is not bad at all. I'm really happy with where we're at.

"I'm really proud of this group so far."

Derek Smith, the team's new captain, led the Sailors with a goal and three assists. The 20-year old forward from St. Thomas, is studying police foundations at Fanshawe College.

"I can already tell he's going to be a good police officer," Rose said. "He's a good team-mate and good captain for us."

Brayden Latimer, Dawson Cook and Austin Muscutt, also scored for Port. Kyle Hopper picked up two assists.

Dorchester led 2-1, after a period and 4-2 after 40 minutes. Leading 5-3, Muscutt made it interesting, scoring with 43 seconds remaining in the third period.

Braedon Dorion scored twice for the Dolphins, who improved to 2-0 and stretch their regular season unbeaten streak to 42 games, dating back to last year, when they went 39-0-1.

Mike Tuffin, Brent House and Ryan Root, with the game winner, completed the Dolphins' goal scoring.

"They're (Port) a good team. They played a hard game on us," Dolphins' forward Lucas Wilson said. "It was about playing our system, listening to the game plan we were given and tightening up defensively."