Dogs unbeaten in two after 4-1 win over Rivermen in Langley

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(image: Garrett James)

A solid start for the Bulldogs, as they drew a penalty and took a 1-0 lead before the game was four minutes old when Garrett Halls threw a puck off the net from the left point in a perfect set up onto the tape of Josh Adkins who tipped it home past Bo Didur. Quinn Syrydiuk also drew an assist on the play at 3:53 of the first. The Dogs would kill off a Rivermen power play chance late in the period and looked to possibly take a 1-0 lead to the room, but the Rivermen would draw even before the period was out on the Rush as Schamerhorn made the first save off his mask, but couldn't locate the rebound before Matthew Graham found it in the slot and fired it home high glove side to make it 1-1 at 18:01 of the first. Shots in the period were 12-8 Langley.

The Bulldogs began the second period with a carry-over power play of just over a minute in lenght, but weren't able to capitalize on it. The score would stay tied at 1-1 through the first half of the frame, with each team having their chances but the Bulldogs appearing to have the better of the play. In the latter stages of the period Carson Schamerhorn would make a good save on a one-timer set up to the deep slot. That would prove huge as the sequence ended with Scott Clark firing a head man pass up the right wing for Josh Adkins who attacked the net with speed before firing a wrist shot short-side on Didur. It didn't go straight in, as Didur got a good chunk of it, but it squeaked over the line just enough to make it 2-1 at 14:07 of the second, with Tyler Cooper also drawing an assist on the play. The Dogs would take the lead to the room after two, and a 23-17 edge in shots after outshooting the Rivermen 15-5 in the period.  

The third period saw the Bulldogs have a great chance early on a 2 on 1 rush, where Josh Adkins kept the puck and fired low on net. Didur would make the save, and appear to get some help from the crossbar at Adkins' attempt on his own rebound somehow stayed out. The Dogs continued to control the bulk of the play, and after a series of big stops by Didur to keep the Rivermen in it the Dogs went up 3-1 on the power play with 10:30 to play as Marshall Skapski made a good play to keep the puck in at the line and find Nathan Dingmann at the right point. He in turn found Josh Adkins in the left circle, where he snapped a shot on goal that was blocked in front. It came right back to him though, and he was rewarded for his shoot-first mentality as he just pounded the puck at the net again and beat Didur short-side low before he could find the puck to make it 3-1 at 9:31 of the third. The Bulldogs wouldn't take their foot off the gas despite the two goal cushion, and Langley never got anything going as the Dogs carried the play until they sealed it into the empty net with 20 seconds to go as Liam Conrad found and Eric Margo clearing attempt after a Garrett Halls rim up the boards and sealed the deal from the Langley line for the 4-1 final score. 

Shots favoured the Bulldogs 40-18, as they out shot the Rivermen 17-1 in the third period. Carson Schamerhorn picked up third star honours with the win in net, while Bo Didur took second star honours with the loss. The Dogs went 2 for 4 on the power play, while the Rivermen went 0 for 4. 

The Dogs conclude their trip tomorrow night at 5pm when they visit the Chiefs in Chilliwack.

Hammer