The visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs couldn’t close out the Victoria Grizzlies, who scored the last 4 goals of the game to come from behind and win 5-3 Wednesday night at the Q Centre.
The Bulldogs led 2-1 after 20 minutes, and built up a 3-1 lead in the middle frame before the Grizzlies mounted their comeback, scoring 3 times in the second before adding a single early in the third.
“We gave them some passes, and in the second period in the neutral zone not playing our game.” said Head Coach and GM Joe Martin on what turned the tide in the,
“We’d have the puck and go as far as their blue line or 5 feet in, and go back the other way. So that’s a lot to do when you have a long change already. The guys got tired from just mismanaging situations.”
Alberni Valley was out shot 32-23, as Mikus Vecvanags earned the win and Derik Brouillard took the loss.
The Bulldogs were unable to strike on their 4 power play opportunities, including a pair back to back to start the third while down 4-3. The Grizzles went 0 for 2 with their few man advantages.
Alberni Valley had a goal and assist each from Gleb Semenov and Arman Adamyan, while Grady Magner added a single.
“We were good at the start, we’re sharp, and as it went on we just made it worse for ourselves, but we have to be mature about that too, understanding your body and what’s happening in the game. We don’t have momentum and being a little bit simpler, and getting through your shift and we didn’t do a good job of that in the second – that’s what kind of set us up for failure.” added Martin.
The Bulldogs were without 6 regulars, and brought in affiliate forwards Kilian Alves Pereira, and Bogdan Rogushkin who picked up his first BCHL assist.
It was a battle for top spot in the Coast West Division, and Alberni Valley stays now tied for 2nd place with Nanaimo who were idle. The Bulldogs had won back to back contests, and 6 of their last 7.
“It’s a loss that we have to take something from. I do give our guys credit. They gave as much as they can, but you could just tell from some of their faces, they didn’t have a lot to give.” resolved Martin,
“Failure is a good learning lesson too.”
The club now returns home to face Powell River Friday at 7pm, and Prince George Sunday at 4pm.
