DUNCAN- The Alberni Valley Bulldogs snapped a four game losing streak on Saturday night in Duncan, with a 2-1 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
The Bulldogs were forced to dress six affiliated players for the game due to a long list of injuries. The Capitals would come out of the gate firing, out shooting the Bulldogs 10-1 early. Luke Pearson would come up big to keep the game scoreless.
Dawson Tritt would put the Bulldogs on the board first on the power-play with a nice back hand shot over the glove of Capitals goaltender Zach Borgeil for his 18th tally of the season.
The Bulldogs would get another power-play late in the opening period and would take full advantage of it. Moe Acee would take a saucer pass from Caige Sterzer and bury it home for his 4th of the season to make it 2-0 for the Bulldogs. The Capitals out shot the Bulldogs 18-12 in the first.
Pearson would come up huge in the opening minutes of the second, as the Bulldogs battled to kill off a 5 on 3 Capitals power-play.
The Bulldogs earned a power play later in the period, and had several glorious chances around the net but couldn’t add to their lead. Neither team would find the back of the before the period ended. The Capitals out shot the Bulldogs 17-6 in the middle frame, for a 35-18 total after 40 minutes.
The Bulldogs would start of the third with a couple of great scoring chances and control the play early. However just pass the half-way mark of the period, the Capitals would finally solve Pearson to cut the Bulldogs lead to 2-1. The Capitals would get numerous opportunities late to tie the game but Pearson stood tall in goal kicking out several last second shots to preserve the 2-1 win. Pearson made 54 saves in the game and was named the first star of the game. The Bulldogs went 2 for 4 on the power-play and a perfect 5 for 5 on the penalty kill.
The Bulldogs improve to 26-27-2-2 and will wrap up the regular season on Sunday afternoon when they host the Nanaimo Clippers at the Dawg Pound. Game time is 2 PM.
Photo Credit: Darran Chaisson Photography
