The Alberni Valley Bulldogs defeated the Cranbrook Bucks 5-2 on Friday night at Western Financial Place in the first ever match-up between the BCHL clubs.
The Bulldogs led the game 2-1 after twenty minutes of play, and 4-1 after 40. Cranbrook closed the gap to 4-2 mid-way through the 3rd period, however the Bulldogs put the game away as Josh Van Unen hit the empty-net to complete the hat trick for the Bulldogs. Van Unen now has 6 goals on the season.
Also scoring for the Bulldogs in the win were Ethan Bono (3rd) and Nicholas Beneteau with his 1st ever BCHL goal.
Jackson Glassford got the start in goal and stopped 23 of 25 shots the Bucks directed his way to earn the win, his 3rd of the season.
The win propels the Bulldogs record to 8-3-2-0 on the season, while the Bucks dropped to 6-5-0-0. The attendance at Western Financial Place was 2350 which is a sell-out based on the capacity restrictions imposed on teams in the Interior Health Region.
The Bulldogs will spend the night in Cranbrook before travelling to Trail tomorrow to take on the Smoke Eaters.
Three Stars:
*** Noah Quinn – Cranbrook
** Nicholas Beneteau – AVB
* Josh Van Unen – AVB
