In November 2017, the Canton hockey community was shocked by the sudden loss of the beloved Joe Donnelly. Joe was the play-by-play announcer for the Bulldogs boys and girls high school hockey teams on Canton Community Television for over 20 years and one of their biggest fans. Joe was more than the "Voice of the Bulldogs" and a hockey fan. He was a loving father, grandfather, son, brother, and husband and a loyal friend. And “Smokin’Joe” was a talented performer, who fittingly, and most frequently, played his guitar and sang his favorite songs for friends and family.
Every December, a game between the Westwood Wolverines and Canton Bulldogs boys ice hockey teams is played in memory of Joe. The winner receives the Joe Donnelly Cup. This year, the Bulldogs retained the Cup after a year hiatus by defeating the Wolverines 5-0 in the fourth annual tribute game to Joe Donnelly.
After a scoreless first half of the game, Brendan Tourgee would put Canton up 1-0 with a wrist shot from the top of the circles. It would remain a one-goal game until midway through the third period when the floodgates would open for the Bulldogs. Brian Middleton would tip a Brennen Pecararo shot from the point to extend the lead to two. Tourgee would add another before setting up Eamon Kelly soon after to give the home team a 4-0 lead. Senior Sam Carlino would round off the scoring late in the third on the powerplay.
Colin Davis would earn his first career shutout with the victory.
Due to a postponement of the Foxboro game, the Bulldogs would have to wait 9 days before facing their next opponent, the Franklin Panthers. In front of a raucous Panther crowd, Canton would avenge their early season loss with a 2-1 victory over Franklin.
After a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs and Panthers would trade goals in the second. Tommy Phaneuf would bury a rebound off a Jay Kelleher shot to take a one goal lead. A Panther powerplay goal would even the score headed into the third period. In the third, the Bulldogs would have several chances before James Young fired a shot that was redirected by Middleton into the back of the net with less than four minutes remaining. Davis and Canton's defensive unit, which was exceptional all game, would keep the Panthers off the board to preserve the victory.
Next, the Bulldogs host two huge Hockomock League games against King Philip and Mansfield.
