Hammer would have loved this one.
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs rolled to a 10–4 victory over the Surrey Eagles, earning back-to-back double-digit wins by turning early pressure from the visitors into a dominant, statement performance.
Surrey came out flying in the opening period, striking first when Kole Keen scored at the 5:12 mark. The Eagles added goals from Dryden Kuramoto and Keen again to jump out to a 3–0 lead.
But this was Hammer’s Night — and the story quickly changed.
The Bulldogs responded with back-to-back goals just 23 seconds apart to swing momentum. Newcomer Ryan George buried his first goal with the Bulldogs, slipping a shot under the goalie’s arm from centre ice, assisted by Kai Matthews and Brandon Gill. Moments later, Matthews struck for his 17th of the season (assisted by Kye Benoche and Gill), igniting the home crowd.
Alberni outshot Surrey 17–11 in the first period but trailed 3–2 heading into intermission.
The Bulldogs came out explosive in the second period, with Teague McAllister delivering a massive shorthanded goal, his 10th of the season, to tie the game and completely shift momentum.
Then another classic Hammerism came true — “goals in bunches.”
The Bulldogs rattled off six more unanswered goals, blowing the roof off the Dawg Pound:
- Kai Matthews with a power play goal, assisted by Wyatt Davis
- Brandon Gill, assisted by Teague McAllister
- Grady Magner, assisted by Wyatt Blace
- Grayson Salmon, assisted by Vogl and Magner
- Brandon Gill with another, assisted by Matthews
Alberni’s relentless pressure carried into the third period. Ryan Small added to the total with his second goal in as many games, assisted by Magner and McAllister. Surrey briefly answered with a goal from Lucas Busch, but Kye Benoche quickly responded with a between the legs shot, potting the Bulldogs’ 10th goal of the night, assisted by Gill and Matthews.
The Bulldogs closed out a convincing 10–4 win, showcasing depth, special-teams execution, and a never-quit mentality from start to finish.
It was a night that truly embodied Bulldogs hockey, one Evan would have been proud of.
As Coach Joe Martin said in a post game interview, “The start was hard and not what we wanted, but Hammer would have said to look at the big picture. They learnt how to win on a difficult and emotional night. They won it for Hammer”.
Fortis Energy Player of the Game: Teague McAllister
3rd Star: Grady Magner
2nd Star: Kai Matthews
1st Star: Brandon Gill
