Bulldogs in second place behind Walkerton in Western Junior C league

The Nicol Insurance Kincardine Bulldogs are currently in second place, four points behind Walkerton, in the Western Junior "C" league standings, with one more game to go in the regular season.

The 'Dogs notched five wins and one loss in the past three weeks, beginning with a 3-2 win over Walkerton Jan. 8, and then a surprising 4-0 loss to Walkerton, Jan. 9, at the Davidson Centre.

From there, it's been a four-game winning streak for the Bulldogs, with a couple of overtime victories.

Jan. 15, in Kincardine, the 'Dogs trounced the Goderich Flyers, 8-2.

Eric Langridge opened the scoring for Kincardine with a powerplay effort early in the first period, assisted by Gerrit Satosek and Tyler Fregona. Minutes later, Logan Freiburger gave the 'Dogs a 2-0 lead, assisted by Matthew Mah and Patrick Wiejak.

The Flyers got on the board early in the second, but Kincardine struck with four unanswered goals, two on the powerplay, to take a commanding 6-1 lead. Brett Burrows scored from Logan Freiburger and Shane Vollmer; Langridge scored from Mah and Satosek, and then from Vollmer and Wiejak; Luke Czuczman added another goal, from Mah.

Goderich scored a short-hander early in the third before the Bulldogs closed down the visitors' offence, and scored two more goals to take the 8-2 win. Burrows scored from Brady Richards and Wiejak, while Satosek ended the game with a short-handed, unassisted goal.

Jan. 16 in Mount Forest, the 'Dogs squeaked out a 4-3 overtime win.

Kincardine opened the scoring late in the first on a goal by Logan Freiburger from Shawn Moore. Mount Forest tied it up seconds later, before taking possession of the second period with two unanswered goals, to make it a 3-1 game.

Kincardine fired back with two goals in the third to tie it at 3-3 at the end of regulation time. Michael Osadca scored from Shawn Rooke and Dalton Hnatko, and, with just a minute remaining, Shane Vollmer, as the extra attacker, scored from Hnatko and Logan Freiburger.

After an initial scoreless overtime period, Matthew Mah scored in the second overtime period, unassisted, to give the 'Dogs the 4-3 win.

Friday night in Wingham, the Bulldogs edged the Ironmen, 5-4.

Kincardine opened the scoring 15 seconds into the first, when Patrick Wiejak scored from Brady Richards and Robert White.

Wingham potted a couple of goals, before Shawn Moore tied it up for the 'Dogs on a short-hander from Gerrit Satosek.

The Ironmen went ahead again in the second, before Luke Czuczman tied up the game for the Bulldogs, assisted by Tyler Fregona.

Wingham went ahead one more time, early in the third, but midway in the period, Wiejak had the equalizer, from Broedy Karelse; and then, with just seconds remaining, Dalton Hnatko scored the game-winner, from Fregona and Matthew Mah, to give Kincardine the 5-4 victory.

Back at the Davidson Centre, Saturday night, the 'Dogs gave their fans an exciting night of hockey, taking a 4-3 win over Hanover, in overtime.

Following a scoreless first period, the Barons opened the scoring early in the second before Eric Langridge fired in two quick goals, both on the powerplay, with assists to Tyler Fregona, Patrick Wiejak and Matthew Mah (2). Hanover then scored to end the period at 2-2.

Derrick Bernath gave the 'Dogs the lead early in the third, assisted by Shawn Rooke and Keegan Angel, but midway in the period, Hanover tied it up at 3-3, forcing the overtime period.

With less than four minutes remaining in overtime, Robert White scored, unassisted, to give Kincardine the 4-3 win.

The Bulldogs have one home game remaining before heading into playoffs. They face Mount Forest, Friday, Jan. 29, at 8:30 p.m., at the Davidson Centre.