Mitch Deelstra’s second period power-play goal stood up as the winner, as the Bulldogs rebounded from a tough loss in Victoria a night earlier and defeated Powell River by a 3-2 score on home ice.
Ryan Miotto opened the scoring five minutes into regulation when he redirected a Ryan Novecosky point shot past Kings starter Matteo Paler-Chow, but Powell River answered later in the frame on a Levi Glasman tally.
Alberni took the lead once more in the second period when Tanner Pochipinski was sprung on a long outlet pass from Ethan Jones and beat Paler-Chow high to the blocker side. Christian Buono equalized five minutes later, but Deelstra put the Bulldogs up for good off a nice three-way passing play that included Michael Hodge and Evan Googins.
The Kings pressed for the tying goal in a fast-paced third period but couldn’t beat John Hawthorne, who was strong in net once again with 38 saves on the evening.
The win, combined with a Cowichan Valley loss, puts the Bulldogs up four points in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Island Division. Alberni is off for the remainder of the weekend and back in action on Wednesday when they visit Nanaimo to open a home-and-home series.
