NANAIMO- The Alberni Valley Bulldogs played game two of three games in three nights on Friday in Nanaimo against the Clippers.
Just like the last meeting at the Frank Crane Arena back on November 13th, this one came right down to the buzzer.
However this game took an ugly turn early, Bulldogs Captain Mitch Deelstra was hit hard at the 6:10 mark of the opening period by Clippers forward Scott Mahovlich. Deelstra left the game and did not return. Mahovlich received a major penalty and was tossed from the game.
The Bulldogs would capitalize on the five minute power-play. Austin Spiridakis would put the Bulldogs on the board first for a 1-0 lead at the 15:59 mark. It was the ninth goal of the season for the St. Albert product, Jackson Doucet and Josh Zary picked up the assists on the goal.
The Bulldogs would take a 1-0 lead into the second period, but the Clippers would strike with a power-play goal of their own to tie the game at 1-1. The Clippers would then add two more before Dawson Tritt answered back for the Bulldogs with his first of two goals on the night to pull the Bulldogs within one.
In the third period, Tritt would bury his 17th of the season to tie the contest up at 3-3. Luke Pearson would come up with some keep saves in the third to keep the game tied. However with just 12 seconds to go in the game, the Clippers would take the lead back for good 4-3. Pearson turned away 34 shots in the loss.
The Bulldogs are now 24-22-1-2 on the season and return to the Dawg Pound on Saturday night to face the 19-29-1 Victoria Grizzlies. Puck drop is set for 7 PM.
Photo Credit: K*Photography
