The Alberni Valley Bulldogs defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs 9-5 in Game 1 of the Coastal Conference Finals at the Multiplex on Friday night in front of a sold out crowd of 1854. The win gives the Bulldogs a 1-0 series lead with Game 2 set for tomorrow night at the Dawg Pound.
This was the type of game that leaves coaches scratching their heads. The two clubs combined for SEVEN first period goals, with Chilliwack coming out on top of the first 20 by a 4-3 score, despite the fact that the Bulldogs led 2-0 and 3-1 at one point in the period.
The Bulldogs would tally the next 3 goals of the game, all in the 2nd period to open up a 5-3 lead, before the Chiefs chipped away once more as Abram Wiebe scored to make it 5-4 after 40.
In the 3rd period the Bulldogs put the game away early with a pair of goals before Ethan Bono closed out the scoring at 14:02 of the 3rd to make the final score 9-5.
Bono’s big night was capped of as the games 1st star with 2 goals and 2 assists. Brandon Buhr also had a 4 point night with a goal and 3 helpers, while Dakota MacIntosh was the 3rd star with a goal and an assist.
Also scoring for the Bulldogs was Owen Desilets (2nd), Jax Wismer (2nd), Matthew Maltais (4th), Nicholas Beneteau (5th) and AJ Vasko (3rd). Bono’s 3rd period markers were his 5th and 6th of the post-season, while Buhr’s was his 7th and Dakota MacIntosh’s goal was his 9th.
Campbell Arnold earned the win in goal as he stopped 27 of 32 on the night. The Chiefs started with Lucas Szyszka who made 11 saves on 16 shots before giving way to Austin McNicholas who didn’t fair much better allowing 4 Bulldogs goals on 23 shots.
Final shots in the game favoured the Bulldogs by a 39-32 count. The Chiefs were 1 for 3 with the PP, while the Bulldogs were 1 for 4.
The game marked the 2nd consecutive sellout at the Dawg Pound, and the crowd of 1854 was treated to a great night night. As of tonight, there are just 25 tickets remaining for Game 2. The Bulldogs Box Office is open at 10:00 am or you can purchase by CLICKING HERE
