The Clippers drew first blood before the game was two minutes old, as the Bulldogs failed to clear their zone, and then were too soft on a bouncing puck across the slot that was found by Tim Washe who put a spinning one-timer off the post and in, short-side past the blocker of Jackson Glassford to make it 1-0 1:45 in, with assists going to Travis Walton and Aiden Hansen-Bukata. The Clippers had a great chance to build their lead seconds later on a set up to the back post for Sean Donaldson, but Jackson Glassford went post-to-post to get his shoulder up on it to keep it out. The Bulldogs got going as the period wore on, generating a couple Grade A chances later in the period, especially on the power play as a Mitchel Deelstra chance in front hit the crossbar and stayed out. Prior to that, Jordan Naylor made a great save with his right toe on a Jacob Bosse cross-ice one-timer attempt set up by Caige Sterzer. Shots in the first were 8-7 Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs came out to start the second, and looked like a team possessed as they spent extended periods of time in the Clippers zone, and had ample opportunities before finally finding the equalizer as Jackson Doucet put puck from the left half wall behind the net, and drove the slot where Dawson Tritt set him up in deep where he ripped a shot off Naylor, off the end glass and back to the net front where it caromed off Naylor and in to make it 1-1 at 5:16 of the second with Carson Hemenway also drawing an assist. The Bulldogs kept the pressure up for a further five minutes, but couldn't beat Naylor to take the lead. Later in the period the momentum fell off, and the Clippers started to push back. Despite zone time, they weren't able to generate any Grade A chances as the Bulldogs defended well. Shots in the period were 12-8 Bulldogs, for a 40 minute advantage of 20-15 Bulldogs.
The third period was somewhat evenly played through the opening minutes, but the Clippers upped their game as the period wore on, and played at a higher pace than the Bulldogs. They generated a couple fantastic chances back-to-back, but Jackson Glassford came up huge on breakaway chances for both Mackenzie Merriman and Ethan Scardina to keep it tied. The Bulldogs didn't respond however, and the Clippers kept pushing and went up 2-1 on a pass from the left half wall by Tim Washe to the point for Trevor LeDonne, who one-timed it low and hard on net. Jackson Glassford made the first save, and a desperation save on the rebound, but Walton's second bit was batted home from in the paint to make it 2-1 at 7:04 of the third. Washe didn't get an assist, as they went to Josh Bourne and LeDonne. Less than a minute later, an unfortunate giveaway cross-ice up the middle of the defensive zone ended up right on the tape of Tim Washe who wasted no time in ripping a one-timer that was perfectly placed top corner, long-side over the glove of Glassford at 8:01 of the third to make it 3-1 Clippers. The Bulldogs would call time out to try and rally and settle, but the Clippers continue to have the better of the play throughout the remainder of period into the late minutes. The Bulldogs would show flashes of desperation in an attempt to make it a one-goal game, but couldn't beat Naylor as the Clippers made the lead stand.
Shots in the third were 13-9 Clippers, for a game total of 29-28 Bulldogs. Jackson Glassford took the loss while Jordan Naylor earned the win. The Bulldogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Clippers went 0 for 1.
The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow night when they host the Powell River Kings.
Hammer
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