NANAIMO- The Alberni Valley Bulldogs dropped Game One of their first round playoff series with the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday night at the Frank Crane Arena.
The Bulldogs would get the first scoring chance of the series, with a quick opening shot however it was the Clippers who found the back of the net first. Joshua Bourne scored just 64 seconds into the game. The Bulldogs would answer back when Isaac Pascoal would bury a perfect pass from Olivier Fizet to even the score at 1-1.
The Clippers would re-take the lead with under two minutes to go in the first frame. The Bulldogs came inches away from tying the game late in the period, but the Clippers would hold on to their 2-1 lead heading into the second. Shots were 10-10 after the first twenty minutes.
The middle frame would see lots of goals but it would be the home side that got the edge. After the Clippers made it 3-1, Jacob Bosse would score two quick goals to pull the Bulldogs even at 3-3. However the game did not stay tied for long as the Clippers got two more goals in the period to take a 5-3.
The Bulldogs would be on the attack to open the third, showing lots of bark but just unable to solve Clippers goaltender Jordan Naylor. The Clippers would score the only goal in third period and take the game 6-3.
Jackson Glassford returned to the lineup for the Bulldogs and made 23 saves in the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power-play but a perfect 3 for 3 on the penalty kill. Final shots were 29-28 for the Clippers.
The Bulldogs will look to even the series on Saturday night in Game Two back in Nanaimo. Puck drop is set for 7 PM.
Photo Credit: Darran Chaisson Photography
