The Alberni Valley Bulldogs were boosted by some tremendous special teams work as they defeated the Cranbrook Bucks by a score of 4-2 on Friday night at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook.
The power play was 2 for 4, while the penalty kill was a perfect 7 for 7 on the night. In the first period alone, the Bulldogs were forced to kill off four Cranbrook man advantages.
The Bucks actually opened the scoring with games first two goals. Jacob Fletcher got his 5th of year at 13:20 of the 1st, before Blake Cotton made it 2-0 just over a minute later. A power play goal from Fischer O’Brien late in the 1st might have saved the night as the Bulldogs got on the board, and in the game.
The Bulldogs struck 3 times in the 2nd period as O’Brien even the score with yet another power player goal at 2:57 of the 2nd. Sam Leonard scored at 10:09 for his 6th of the year, and Cole Bishop got his 7th at 19:59 of the 2nd as Matt Kursonis made a determined net drive as the clock ticked down. Kursonis couldn’t find the back of the net, however Bishop did to give the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.
There was no scoring in the 3rd period as the Bucks outshot the Bulldogs 9-7 in the final frame. The final shots were tied with 35 for each club.
Callum Tung was great at times in his 14th win of the year. Tung made 33 stops on the night.
The win was the Bulldogs 3rd straight, and improved their record to 21-14-0-0 on the year.
Up next for the Bulldogs is a mid-week trip to Duncan before returning home for another Saturday night in Hockey Valley on February 3rd. The Bulldogs host Interior Conference powerhouse West Kelowna at 7pm. Tickets are available by CLICKING HERE
