The Bulldogs returned home Saturday night to host the Grizzlies for Game 2 of the Island Finals. There was great energy in the building from the get-go, with the Grizzlies having the best chance early as Kurt Gosselin got hit high and had his helmet ripped off. As he raced to the bench the Grizzlies had a 2 on 0 rush but Jay Deo made a huge save to keep it scoreless. While the Bulldogs had several great chances, they spent the better part of the first period again fighting the officiating and killing penalties, including a double minor, while failing to draw a power play of their own. Despite spending six minutes shorthanded the first period ended 0-0 with shots favouring the Grizzlies 12-11.
The second was again tight Playoff style hockey with both teams slugging it out. There was again no scoring throughout the period, with both goalies coming up with several big saves. The Bulldogs did manage to draw a power play with five minutes to go in the second, but it was negated quickly by a penalty. The second period ended the same way as the first ended, with the score tied 0-0, and the shots favouring the Grizzlies 24-23.
The Bulldogs began the third period on the power play and it didn’t take long for them to find the net as Jared Wilson one-timed a cross ice pass from the left point top corner, far side on Brady Rouleau just 17 seconds into the frame to make it 1-0, with assists going to Manny Gialedakis and Matt Hansen. The Grizzlies would then end up in penalty trouble as the Dogs went to a long 5 on 3 power play, but they were unable to connect on it. The score stayed 1-0 until the late stages of the game when the Dogs again ended up in penalty trouble with their fourth or fifth double-minor of the last three games as Evan Tironese was the only player taken out of a spear-fest with David Mazurek by the back referee and picked up a four minute penalty with just four minutes and change left in the game. The Bulldog penalty kill was outstanding with Dylan Haugen having the most notable effort, stealing the puck three times from the Grizzlies in their zone bringing about a loud roar from the Bulldog fans. The Dogs would kill it off to a wild standing ovation, and then sealed the deal shortly afterwards as Mitch Makin battled the puck up the boards for Evan Tironese who showed good patience in gaining centre and then dishing the puck over to Chase Paylor who sealed it into the open net with 24 seconds to play in the third as the roof almost came of the Dog Pound.
Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 39-32 with Jay Deo picking up the win and 1st star honours while Brady Rouleau took the loss while earning 2nd star honours. The Dogs went 1 for 5 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 0 for 6. Game three goes Monday night in Victoria while Game 4 goes Tuesday night at the Dog Pound.
