The Bulldogs and Clippers again met Tuesday night in Port Alberni for Game 4. It was tight Playoff style hockey throughout the bulk of the first period with not a lot in the way of chances but very intense hockey. The teams would head to the room tied 0-0 after one.
The second period was again played at a high intensity, with the Bulldogs drawing first blood on a power play chance as Bo Pellah dumped the puck in from centre while being tripped up. Ryan Lough would outrace the Clipper defender to the loose puck behind the goal line before driving the net and sending a cross-crease pass onto the tape of Evan Tironese who went top corner, short-side before Derek Dun could get over. Ryan Lough was credited with the only assist on the play at 5:42 of the second. The Bulldogs would spend the next several minutes defending as the Clippers pushed hard trying to get the equalizer. They would push a little too hard though, as Greg Fraser ended up in the box for boarding Jared Wilson. The Bulldogs would again connect on the power play when Chase Van Allen kept the puck in at the line before finding Teal Burns down low in the left circle. Burns would put a perfect cross-crease pass onto the tape of Manny Gialedakis who made no mistake one-timing it home top corner, short-side before Dun could get over to make it 2-0 Dogs at 8:53 of the second. While the Bulldogs held the lead, the Clippers controlled the bulk of the play throughout the period with Jay Deo standing tall to keep it 2-0 Dogs after 40 minutes.
The third period saw the Bulldogs come out and dictate the bulk of the play, having several great chances in the early minutes of the period but not being able to pad the lead. The Dogs did a good job of winning battles and running the time off the clock, holding the lead through the first 10 minutes of the third period. The Clippers would get a break to get on the board shortly afterwards as Brock Maschmeyer throwing a puck on net from the left point that was tipped home by Reid Sturos. Also picking up an assist on the play was Trevor Fitzgerald to make it a 2-1 game with 7:06 to play in the third. The Bulldog crowd would immediately stand up to rally the Bulldogs following the goal, and it appeared to work as Chase Van Allen shrugged off a check in his own zone and carried it all the way through centre and to the Clipper blue line where he threw it on net and beat Derek Dun off the post and in blocker side just 26 seconds after the Clippers had scored to make it 3-1 Dogs with 6:40 to go in the third. The goal was unassisted. The Dogs again did a good job of protecting the lead until the dying seconds, but the Clippers didn’t quit, hemming the Bulldogs in and forcing several icings to keep a tired line on the ice. Off the ensuing draw the Clippers would throw the puck at the net where it was again deflected in by Reid Sturos. Trevor Fitzgerald and Brock Maschmeyer picked up the assists at 19:38 of the third. The Clippers would have several chances over the final 20 seconds to tie it but Jay Deo came up with one big save while Chase Van Allen also laid down for a big shot block as the time ran out.
Final shots favoured the Clippers 41-26 with Jay Deo picking up the win and 1st star honours while Derek Dun took the loss. Special teams were a big difference as the Dogs went 2 for 4 on the power play and 4 for 4 on the penalty kill while also killing off a short Clipper 5 on 3. Game 5 goes Wednesday night at the Frank Crane Arena.
