The Alberni Valley Bulldogs incurred their first outright loss at Weyerhaeuser Arena against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday night and then hit the road for a game in Victoria on Sunday which would be another defeat.
Loss to Cowichan Valley
Cole Broadhurst opened the scoring for the Capitals at 7:01 of the first period and a power play goal from Will Arquiett made it 2-0 for the visitors. Goals from Isaac Pascoal and Tim Gould tied it at two for the Bulldogs in the second period before Arquiett scored to put the visitors in the lead with only 3:23 to go in the middle frame. However, Tommy Bannister tied it for the Bulldogs just over a minute later.
The Capitals took a 6-3 lead on two goals from Primo Self and one from Brady Lynn. A late goal from Moe Acee made the score more respectable for the Bulldogs, who ultimately fall 6-4. The first game back at Weyerhaeuser Arena after a low level ammonia leakage is the Bulldogs first game without a point at their home rink.
Loss in Victoria
In Victoria, the Grizzlies opened the scoring 51 seconds in on a goal from Marty Westhaver. The Bulldogs tied it on a power play goal from Mitchell Deelstra and the game was tied 1-1 after the first. A goal from Jake Veilleux in the second period and Andrew Amousse early in the third gave the Grizzlies a two goal lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
A power play goal from Dawson Tritt midway through the third pulled the Bulldogs closer, but a goal from newly acquired Victoria forward Alex DiPaolo extended the Grizzlies lead to 4-2. A goal from Ryan Doolin with just over a minute remaining got the Bulldogs back within a goal but it was too little too late.
Three Stars
1. Dawson Tritt
Tritt had a goal and an assist in the loss in Victoria.
2. Caige Sterzer
Sterner had three assists in the loss to Cowichan Valley and an assist in the loss in Victoria.
3. Mitchell Deelstra
The Bulldogs captain had a goal and two assists in the loss to Victoria.
Preview of the Next Game
The Bulldogs next game is on Wednesday at Weyerhaeuser Arena as GM/Head Coach Joe Martin faces his former team as the Merritt Centennials make their lone visit of the season to Port Alberni.