The Alberni Valley Bulldogs earned a come from behind 4-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers on a sunny holiday Monday afternoon in front of 1149 fans at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
Struggles against the Clippers have been well documented this season and it looked like the Clippers were going to pick up where they left off the last time these two met in a 5-1 Nanaimo win. Sean Donaldson (30th) and Jake Hewitt (7th) had the Clippers off to the races after a frustrating opening 20 minutes of play for the Bulldogs.
It was a rejuvenated Bulldogs team that came out in the 2nd and pulled even thanks to goals at 8:29 by Finn Brown (13th) and Braden Blace (3rd) at 16:53.
The Bulldogs went ahead after a lucky bounce off a Clippers defence gave Brandon Buhr his 18th goal of the season and the Bulldogs had their first lead of the night at 3-2. Captain Stephen Castagna put the game away at the 14:00 minute mark with his 17th of the year. Josh Van Unen chipped in with a pair of assists in the win.
Hobie Hedquist earned his 21st win of the year as he stopped 30 of the 32 Clipppers shots. Hedquist is now 21-6-0 with a 2.44 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. Jed Baliotti took the loss in goal for the Clippers as he made 34 saves on 38 shots.
The win gave the Bulldogs their 6th straight win overall and their 7th straight win on home ice. The Bulldogs are now 28-12-3-1 on the year and remain in 2nd place in the Coastal Conference. More importantly, they give themselves a little room vas the 3rd place Clippers who fall to 26-15-1-1 with the loss.
After playing the weekend shorthanded due to injury, the Bulldogs will enjoy a little rest until the host the Powell River Kings on Friday night at 7:00 pm.
