Try as they might, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs just couldn’t get the offence rolling in a 3-1 loss to the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday night in Port Alberni.
Despite outshooting the Clippers 48-35, the Bulldogs couldn’t rattle Clippers goaltender Jordan Naylor who made 47 saves in his 1st-star performance. Stephen Castagna was the lone Bulldog to beat Naylor on the night.
The Clippers and Bulldogs played to a scoreless opening period. It didn’t take long for the Clippers to open the scoring in the 2nd period as Nick DeSantis beat Jackson Glassford just 28 seconds into the 2nd. Tim Washie pushed the Clippers lead to 2-0 at 11:48 of the 2nd period. Castagna cut into the Clippers lead with just 1:47 remaining in the 2nd period. It would be as close as the Bulldogs would get.
In the 3rd period, Tyler Schleppe added the insurance marker, making it 3-1 Nanaimo.
Jackson Glassford stopped 32 of 35 shots the Clippers directed his way in the loss.
Both clubs were 1 for 4 with the man-advantage.
With the loss, the Bulldogs dropped to 4-5-1-1 in the pre-season. The Clippers improved to 7-4-0-0.
