(photo credit: Chaisson Creative)
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs opened fast on Saturday, January 10 at home, with plenty of shots and two first-period goals, but a six-goal surge by the Powell River Kings in the second and third periods turned the tide, ending the Bulldogs’ five-game winning streak with a 7–3 loss. The night also featured a moving first intermission video tribute to Evan Hammond (“Hammer”), celebrating his lasting impact on the organization and community.
On the ice, the Bulldogs set the tone early, skating with speed and precision. Brandon Gill (8) opened the scoring on the power play at 15:43, capitalizing on a high stick, with assists from Kai Matthew and Wyatt Davis. The Bulldogs extended their lead late in the first when Samuel Leonard (6) scored at 19:00, assisted by Wyatt Blace and Hunter Friedrich, giving Alberni Valley a 2–0 advantage after one period.
Things looked promising going into the second, even after Kings’ Eliot Compton (11) scored at 7:13. Just 36 seconds later, Powell River struck again on a power play to tie the game and then a shorthanded goal by Erik Wittwer (7) at 15:58 gave the Kings their first lead of the night. Bulldogs had two power play opportunities in the second period and were moving the puck well but could not find the back of the net.
The momentum swung further in Powell River’s favor to start the third, as a delay-of-game penalty on the Bulldogs set up another Kings power-play goal just one minute in, giving Powell River a 4–2 lead. Tadeas Mack and Chris Battaini added two more goals at 8:35 and 10:22 to complete the teams 6 goal surge.
Alberni Valley kept battling and was rewarded at 14:34 when Luc Schaefer (1) scored his first BCHL goal, assisted by Liam Smith and Grayson Salmon, cutting the deficit to 6–3. However, a late penalty-shot goal by Eliot Compton at 16:45 sealed the 7–3 final. The remainder of the game saw increased intensity, with both teams engaging in physical battles resulting in several misconducts, underscoring the heated nature of the contest.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs outshot the Kings 35–20. Wyatt Blace earned Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game honors for his relentless pace and physical play. Owen Lunneborg started in goal for Alberni Valley, while David Skacel backstopped Powell River to the win.
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1st Star: Chris Battaini – Powell River Kings
2nd Star: Eliot Compton – Powell River Kings
3rd Star: Luc Schaefer – Alberni Valley Bulldogs
