The Alberni Valley Bulldogs suffered their 1st loss of the young season on Saturday night at the George Preston Arena as they dropped a 6-4 decision to the Rivermen.
It was a 3rd period to forget for the Bulldogs as they entered the final frame leading 3-2, only to find themselves down 5-3 just minutes into the period. After getting one back and putting on relentless pressure late in the 3rd, the Rivermen would ice the game with an empty-netter to lock up the win and send the Bulldogs home frustrated and looking for answers.
The Bulldogs built up a 3-1 lead on the strength of goals from Cam VanSickle (1), Cole Bishop (1) and Fischer O’Brien (1). After giving up 3 goals in the opening 6:38 of the 3rd, it was rookie Wyatt Blace who pulled the Bulldogs back to within 1 with his first BCHL goal.
Hlib Artsatbanov made his BCHL debut and made 31 saves on the night in defeat. Max Beckford stopped 24 of 28 Bulldogs shots.
The Bulldogs will likely be without the services of Hayden Stavroff who dazzled in his Bulldogs debut with a hat trick on opening night. Stavroff was assessed a match-penalty for cross-checking at 15:54 of the 1st period last night. The penalty carries an automatic 3-game suspension, pending review from the BCHL’s department of player safety.
The Bulldogs close out their season-opening 3 game road trip next Friday with a stop in Duncan to take on the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Bulldogs will play their home opener next Saturday September 30th against the Nanaimo Clippers, the game is presented by Tseshaht First Nation and it also marks the 1st game of the Mainroad Rivalry Series between the Bulldogs and Clippers. Tickets for the home opener can be purchased by CLICKING HERE
