Tyler Harrison watches the play develop against the Brampton Bombers on Tuesday night. (Jim Purdie)

Dutchmen surrender two-goal lead to Brampton, fall in OT

The Kitchener Dutchmen had an opportunity to gain ground on the top four teams in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Midwestern Conference with a midweek game against the Brampton Bombers, but squandered that chance by giving up a lead.

Kitchener's Tyler Harrison scored the lone goal of the first period to put the Dutchies up 1-0, then converted again early in the second frame to bring the lead to two. The Kitchener native is in the midst of a career year already with 12 goals and 20 assists in 29 games, including seven points in his last three games. Brampton would answer later in the second period, with Ivan Brewer scoring to cut Kitchener's lead in half before Andrew Reynolds knotted the score at two shortly after. After a scoreless third period forced overtime, neither team would register a shot on goal until Brampton's Marcus Didiano scored unassisted to give the Bombers the upset win. Kyle Kennery assisted on both of Harrison's goals, while Brampton goalie David Giancola was the story all game, stopping 34 of 36 shots. The overtime loss snaps Kitchener's five-game win streak, but the Dutchies have gotten at least one point in eight straight contests. 

This weekend features a full slate of GOJHL games before the Christmas break, beginning with the Bombers hosting Elmira and the Siskins visiting Stratford tonight. Tomorrow afternoon, the Dutchmen look to get back in the win column when they welcome cross-town rival Waterloo, while Stratford travels to Cambridge to take on the Redhawks. It's a quick turn around for the Siskins, who host Elmira on Sunday afternoon. The Dutchmen and Redhawks also play Sunday afternoon in Kitchener, while Listowel visits Brampton.