Emanuelson Charbonneau scored the game-winning goal with 1:58 remaining in regulation time as the Bulldogs defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs to take a 2-0 lead in the Best-of-7 Coastal Conference Championship series presented by Pacific Chevrolet.
After a scoreless opening period, Brady Milburn opened the scoring for the Chiefs 6:31 into the 2nd period. For Milburn, the goal was his 4th of the playoffs.
A little under 3:00 minutes later, Zeke Nicholson tied the game at 9:21 with his 2nd of the post-season. Nicholson jumped on a rebound and tucked it past Lucas Szyszka.
A tense 3rd period culminated with Charbonneau’s game winner. Dakota MacIntosh hit Charbonneau with a beautiful cross-ice pass that Charbonneau corralled and then wired past Szyszka to nearly blow the roof off the Dawg Pound.
The Chiefs got Szyszka to the bench for the extra-attacker, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Full credit to both goaltenders who bounced back after a wild Game 1 which saw the teams combine for 14 goals. Both Lucas Szyszka and Campbell Arnold gave their respective teams a chance to win. Szyszka stopped 29 of 31, while the Bulldogs Arnold stopped 24 of 25 for his 5th win of the post-season.
The Bulldogs were 0 for 2 on the man-advantage, while the Chiefs were 0 for 1.
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to a perfect 6-0 on home ice during the post-season. Tonight’s sold-out crowd of 1854 marked the 3rd consecutive sellout for the club.
The scene will now shift back to Chilliwack for Games 3 & 4 at the Coliseum on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The City of Port Alberni will be hosting a viewing party at the Multiplex for both games. Admission will be no-charge, however donations to KidSport are appreciated. Game time for both games is set for 6:00 pm.
