The Bulldogs and Grizzlies took to the ice Tuesday at the Dog Pound and the Grizzlies came out of the gate flying, scoring the game?s first goal just 21 seconds in when Dustin Mowrey took a pass from the sideboards right in the slot that he snapped high blocker side on Scott Lewan to make it 1-0.
Madison Dias and Jordan Heywood picked up the assists. The Grizzlies would keep the pressure up while the Dogs continued to try and find their legs as Scott Lewan came up with several good stops to keep the game 1-0. After back to back penalty kills the Dogs appeared to get some momentum to end the period but they weren?t able to find the net as the Grizzlies took the 1-0 lead to the room after one. A beautiful play would see the Dogs get on the board in the second as Josh Mitchell was sent in alone on a breakaway with a great stretch pass as the Dogs caught the Grizzlies changing. Mitchell would put a fake on Holfeld that froze him before sending a cross ice pass to Mitch MacMillan who buried it into the open side to tie it at 1-1 4:17 into the second. Mark MacMillan also picked up an assist on the play. The Dogs would control the bulk of the play for the remainder of the game, but they weren?t able to get a break to bury a chance around the Victoria net as Holfeld was hard to beat. The Grizzlies would find the winner in heartbreaking fashion, taking a 2-1 lead with just 4:44 to play in the third period as Alex Allen threw a cross crease pass to Madison Dias who squeaked it through Scott Lewan who made a valiant effort to get across the net to keep it out. The Dogs would push for the equalizer but time ran out on the comeback as the Grizzlies held on for the 2-1 final.
Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 34-21. Ryan Holfeld picked up the win and first star honours while Scott Lewan picked up third star honours with the loss. The Dogs were 0 for 6 on the power play while the Grizzlies were 0 for 4. Next up for the Dogs – three games in three days this weekend up North starting in Prince George Friday night.
