The Alberni Valley Bulldogs scored two goals in the first 1:16 of regulation in Nanaimo on Wednesday night and skated to a 5-2 victory over the Clippers.
Mitch Deelstra opened the scoring just 19 seconds into the first period and Jackson Doucet added a second goal less than a minute later. Ryan Miotto extended the lead to three when he cleaned up a Keaton Mastrodonato rebound and slammed it past Clippers starter Jordan Naylor.
Nanaimo made a goalie change following Miotto’s goal and the Clippers got on the board when Marcus Mitchell scored from in close on a second period power-play. But Dawson Tritt replies on a Bulldogs man-advantage minutes later and Alberni led 4-1 heading into the third.
Mastrodonato extended the lead to four in the third period and Mitchell netted a late consolation goal to round out the scoring.
John Hawthorne stopped 20 shots for the win, while Landon Pavlisin made 23 saves for the Clippers after coming in midway through the first period.
The teams will face off again on Friday night in Port Alberni. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
