The Mount Forest Patriots got a taste of international hockey and were victorious, defeating the visiting EHC Dubendorf 6-4.
The Patriots jumped out to an early lead with a goal off the stick of Mitch Betts just 3 minutes and 20 seconds into the game. Blair Butchart gave the Patriots a 2-0 lead to end the first with a goal at 16:03.
Betts scored again on the power play just 62 seconds into the second period to make it 3-0. Stefan Diezi got the Swiss team on the board with a power play goal at the midway point. Butchard scored his second of the game short handed two minutes later to again give the Patriots a three goal lead. Evan Kuhl scored three minutes after that to make the score 4-1. Diezi scored his second goal of the game with just three minutes left in the middle frame to narrow the gap for Dubendorf.
The Swiss took control early in the third as Kristian Gorz and Sven Seiler scored just over five minutes apart to bring the visiting team to within a goal of the Patriots. The momentum didn't last and Mount Forest's Ryley Cribbin added insurance at 14:36 of the final frame.
Mitch Betts led the Patriots with a pair of goals and two assists. Blair Butchart struck twice and had one helper in the win for Mount Forest. Tyler Reiner stopped 8 shots through 29-and-a-half minutes ti earn the win. Mathieu Oullette made 21 saves through 30-plus minutes in relief. Manuel Rufer stopped 31 shots for the visiting team.
EHC Dubendorf was led by Stefan Diezi with a pair of goals. Kristian Gorz had a goal and an assist to also earn two points in the victory.
The Swiss team is in Midwestern Ontario on the invitation of Kincardine Bulldogs General Manager Doug Kennedy. They have one more game tonight against Mitchell as they wrap up their Canadian visit.