PORT ALBERNI- The Alberni Valley Bulldogs wrapped up a busy stretch of games with a 3-2 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday at the Dawg Pound.
It was the third game in as many nights for the Bulldogs who out shot the Grizzlies 47-37.
Ryan Doolin would get the scoring started for the Bulldogs just 10 seconds into the opening period with his 18th goal of the season. Matthew Grouchy and Mitch Deelstra picked up the assists on the goal. The Bulldogs lead wouldn’t last long as the Grizzlies would even the score at 1-1 at the 6:40 mark of the first. The Grizzlies would add another goal before the first period came to a close to take a 2-1 lead.
In the second period, Matthew Grouchy would pot his second goal of the season to pull the Bulldogs even before the Grizzlies regained the lead with just 32 seconds to go in the period. The Bulldogs out shot the Grizzlies 21-9 in the middle frame.
The Bulldogs would get some chances to pull even again on back-to-back power-plays in the third but could not solve Grizzles goaltender Liam Soulière who turned away 45 shots in the game. The Grizzlies would hold on for the 3-2 win. Luke Pearson made 34 saves in the loss.
The Bulldogs will not have much time to rest as they return to the ice on Tuesday to face the 40-8-1-1 Coquitlam Express at the Dawg Pound. It’s a makeup game from November 8th when that game was postponed due to the ice conditions at the Multi-Plex. The Express took the first meeting of the season against the Bulldogs 4-2 back on September 29th. Tim Gould and Mitch Deelstra scored for the Bulldogs that night. Puck drop on Tuesday is 7 PM at the Dawg Pound.
Photo Credit: Darrain Chaisson Photography
