The Nanaimo Clippers knocked off the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 5-2 on Saturday night at the Dawg Pound in front of 1664 fans. Leading 3-2 late, the Clippers found the empty net on two occasions to seal the win.
In the previous 4 games of the Rivalry Series, goaltending was a difference for the wrong reasons if you’re the Clippers. On Saturday night, Tyler Hodges was sensational making several key saves throughout the night, perhaps none more important that the breakaway save he made on the Bulldogs leading scorer Hayden Stavroff.
Nicholas Beneteau (8th) and Matias Myllykoski (4th) each scored power play goals for the Bulldogs.
Beneteau’s goal tied the game 2-2 at 14:12 of the 3rd, but the Bulldogs gave it right back as Cole Lonsdale kept the puck on a 2-on-1 break for the Clippers and ripped it past Bulldogs starter Callum Tung for the 3-2 lead. The Clippers never looked back and earned their 1st win of the head-to-head season series.
Tung allowed 3 goals on 24 shots in the loss.
The Bulldogs 7 game win streak comes to and end with the loss and their record falls to 13-5-0-0 on the year. Up next is a critical battle with the Surrey Eagles on Friday night at the Nest. The Eagles have suffered just one loss this year and the clubs are meeting for the 1st time since the Bulldogs eliminated the Eagles last season in a classic 7 game series.
Game Notes:
- With his goal, Nicholas Beneteau picked up his 98th career BCHL point.
- Former Port Alberni Bombers bench boss Gaelan Patterson returned to the Multiplex last night in his first game as an Assistant Coach with the Clippers.
