The Alberni Valley Bulldogs moved closer to clinching fourth place in the Island Division standings on Saturday night, battling their way to a 3-1 road win over the Victoria Grizzlies at the Q Centre.
Keaton Mastrodonato opened the scoring for the Bulldogs on a first period power play, and they held the lead into the second period when projected first round NHL draft pick Alex Newhook evened the score on a screened shot from the top of the circles.
But the Bulldogs rebounded just 37 seconds later as Ethan McLaughlin sprung Mitch Deelstra on a partial breakaway and the winger blasted a shot over the right shoulder of Grizzlies net kinder Zach Rose.
Both teams had their share of chances the rest of the way but it took a Josh Zary empty net goal with 20 seconds remaining to cement the win for the visitors.
With the victory, the Bulldogs now sit five points up on Cowichan Valley for fourth spot in the Island Division with three games remaining for both squads. A Capitals loss to Coquitlam on Sunday or an Alberni win over Powell River on home ice Monday would see the Bulldogs clinch.
Monday’s Family Day matinee is set for a 2:00 PM faceoff.
