(image: Kyle Robinson)
The Bulldogs got off to a good start, as Grayson Badger goal assisted by Brady McIsaac three minutes in. Drew Hockley tied it just over a minute later, before he added his second of the game to make it 2-1 with five minutes to play in the period. Regan Hiscock made it 3-1 on a rebound seven seconds into a power play with under three minutes to play in the period to make it 3-1 after one.
The Grizzlies took a 4-1 lead just 16 seconds into period two on a bad bounce to the slot finished by Regan Hiscock, but the Bulldogs battled back to make it 4-2 at the midway point of the period on a pretty goal that saw Mac Richardson knock down a mid-air pass by Jesse Allecia at centre to Will Mitchell, before driving the net and finishing a Mitchell pass for his first career goal. The Bulldogs had several in-tight chances but couldn’t convert to get back within one, before the Grizzlies scored three times late in the period, on goals by Tom Molson, Jacksenn Hungle off a Bulldog skate in the crease and in, and a Daniel D’Allessandro 5 on 3 goal to lead 7-2 after two.
Victoria scored quickly to make it 8-2 during four-aside hockey in the third, as Tobias Pitka poked his own rebound home off an initial save by Ryder Shea, who entered the game in relief. The Bulldogs answered to make it 8-3 at 9:27, as Brady McIsaac potted a rebound in tight off a Zeke Nicholson shot, with Evan Stastny also drawing an assist. That’s as close as the Bulldogs came, as the Grizzlies added one more on an unassisted breakaway finished five-hole by Reegan Hiscock with 2:51 to play to complete the scoring and make it a 9-3 final.
Shots were 49-35 Grizzlies with Tyler Hodges earning the win while Colin Winn took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 2 for 7.
The Bulldogs return to home ice tomorrow night to host the Chilliwack Chiefs.
