The Bulldogs played possibly their best period of the season Sunday when they opened the game in Victoria. While it took to the final minute to finally find a goal, the Dogs appeared to be a different team than the one that lost 5-0 at home Saturday night as they were absolutely flying from the opening puck drop and through the entire first period. They threw no less than five huge hits, with Turner Popoff leading the hit parade. The Dogs had several great chances to get on the board early in the period with both Chris Tracy and Nick Kerr being denied on breakaways by Grizzlies net minder Michael Stiliadis.
The Dogs didn’t have the same energy in the second as the Grizzlies pushed back and the game was entertaining to watch with good end to end action. The Dogs built their lead to 2-0 later in the period when Chris Tracy broke the puck up at the defensive blue line and raced in on a one-on-one down the left wing where he pulled up and scored with a quick release top corner, far side. The goal was unassisted with 12:13 gone in the second as the Dogs took a 2-0 lead to the room after two periods.
Despite starting the third period on a three minute power play the Bulldogs were unable to generate any offense and instead lost momentum as the Grizzlies carried the play and then found the net just half a minute later when Myles Fitzgerald walked into the high slot and scored on a perfect shot top corner, glove side on Rebagliati 3:29 into the third with Gerry Fitzgerald and Nolan DeJong assisting. The Dogs would protect the lead with one good penalty kill but on the second chance of the period the Grizzlies tied the game when Leo Fitzgerald poked a rebound home with 5:35 to play with Gerry and DJ Jones picking up the assists to make it 2-2 and force overtime. The winner came quick in sudden death when the Dogs got caught on a change that allowed Gerry Fitzgerald to walk to the net down the left wing where he was stopped by Rebagliati, but the rebound was found and slid into the open side by Myles Powell. DJ Jones also picked up a helper for the 3-2 final, 1:01 into OT.
Final shots favoured the Grizzlies 37-30 with Brad Rebagliati taking the loss while Michael Stiliadis picked up the win. The Special Teams were again a big deciding factor as the Grizzlies went 1 for 6 on the power play while the Dogs went 0 for 4.
The Bulldogs have two home games coming up next week as they host the Powell River Kings on Thursday night before the Chilliwack Chiefs come into town Saturday on Devin Timberlake jersey retirement night.
Bulldogs Fall in OT, Take 3 of 6 Points on Weekend
