The Alberni Valley Bulldogs picked up a 5-1 win in a hard-fought game that had playoff vibes written all over it.
After a scoreless opening frame that saw the Bulldogs outshoot the Chiefs 10-7, it was the Bulldogs who broke through first with a pair of quick ones early in the 2nd. Grayson Badger got the first of two on the night at 2:53, and Hayden Stavroff made it 2-0 at 3:19.
Matt Argentina would cut the Bulldogs lead to 2-1 at 15:12 of the 2nd period. For the Chiefs, that would be as close as they’d get.
In the 3rd period Stavroff and Badger were back at it again as they each scored to push the Bulldogs lead to 4-1. Braden Blace closed out the scoring with his 6th late in the game as the clubs played 4-on-4 hockey.
The 3rd period got physical as both teams amped up the physicality, no doubt trying to send one last message in case their paths should cross for a second consecutive year in the post season.
For Stavroff, his pair gives him 32 on the year, while Badger’s goals were his 10th & 11th. Badger & Stavroff also picked up an assist, giving them each 3 point nights. Nicholas Beneteau added 2 more assists on the year with his 44th & 45th, and Matt Kursonis also had 2 helpers in the Bulldogs 30th win of the year.
Callum Tung was great once again for the Bulldogs as he turned aside 29 of 30 Chiefs shots for his 21st win on the campaign.
For the Bulldogs, this marks the first time in franchise history that the club has strung together 3 consecutive 30 win season. It’s another feather in the cap of head coach & general manager Joe Martin and the level of consistency he’s brought to the Bulldogs program since taking over in 2019.
The evens the season series between the Bulldogs and Chiefs at 2-2 and moves the Bulldogs to within 2 points of the Chiefs for 2nd spot in the Coastal Conference standings with 3 games remaining for each club.
The Chiefs will travel to Victoria to take on the Grizzlies, while the Bulldogs close out the weekend with a game against the Powell River Kings at 7pm.
