(Image: Chaisson Creative)
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs used a strong second period to earn a 4–2 victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings on Saturday night at the Dawg Pound.
Prince George opened the scoring midway through the first period when River Arnason found the back of the net at 5:35 to give the Spruce Kings a 1–0 lead.
The Bulldogs responded late in the period to even things up. Ryan Small scored his ninth of the season at 18:24, finishing a play set up by Leim Smith and Grady Magner to send the teams to the intermission tied 1–1.
Alberni Valley took control early in the second period. Just 1:06 into the frame, Eduard Mishikov gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the night with his third goal of the season, assisted by Brandon Gill.
The Bulldogs added to their lead midway through the period when Jackson Lackas scored on the power play at 14:02. Brendan DeFeo and Kye Benoche each picked up assists on the play as Alberni Valley made it 3–1.
Lackas struck again shortly after, finishing another setup from DeFeo and Benoche to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 4–1.
Prince George answered late in the period with a power-play goal from Marcus Lougheed at 16:49, but that would be as close as the Spruce Kings would get.
The Bulldogs locked things down in the third period, holding Prince George off the scoresheet to secure the 4–2 win. Goaltender Derik Brouillard made 21 saves on 23 shots in the victory as Alberni Valley outshot the Spruce Kings 31–23.
Jackson Lackas led the way offensively with two goals and was named the game’s first star. Brendan DeFeo and Kye Benoche each recorded two assists to earn the second and third stars respectively, while Eric Lund was named the Bulldogs’ FortisBC Energy Player of the Game.
Bulldogs head to the mainland for games next weekend but then back at the Dawg Pound for the last two games of the regular season March 27/28.
Don’t forget to grab your early bird season tickets on sale now until March 28th.
