The Bulldogs did their best to pull themselves out of an early four-goal hole on Saturday night against the BCHL’s second place team and almost pulled it off, but ultimately dropped a 4-3 decision on home ice to the Penticton Vees.
The Vees stormed out of the gates with three goals in the first 8:38 of regulation and made it 4-0 with seven minutes left in the first period. John Hawthorne entered the game at that point in relief of Cole Demers, who had little chance on the goals that beat him.
Dawson Tritt put the Bulldogs on the board on a second period power-play and Michael Hodge cut the deficit to two midway through the third. Alberni then found themselves killing a six-minute Vees man-advantage on three minor penalties on the same play, but did the job and pulled within one when Aaron Bohlinger scored with 3:45 left. The Bulldogs had a number of chances around the Penticton net late in the game but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Jack Lafontaine made a number of big saves in collecting the win while Hawthorne stopped all 25 shots he faced.
The Bulldogs are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host the Surrey Eagles at 2:00 PM.
