The Bulldogs fell in a 1-0 hole early in the game, as the Grizzlies pushed the pace early and forced a series of turnovers. The final one at neutral ice resulted in an odd-man rush that saw Cody Monds convert a cross-ice one-timer into an open net before Luke Pearson could get over at 1:27 of the first, with assists going to Alex DiPaolo and Andrew Amousse. The Grizzlies had a great chance to build their lead three minutes later, when they won an attacking zone draw to the line and got a point shot through traffic and on net. Luke Pearson would make a left toe save on the initial shot which was deflected, before then making a highlight reel save while down on his stomach by getting his glove up behind him to rob Alex DiPaolo on the doorstep to keep it just 1-0. The Bulldogs would respond to tie the game at the 6:03 mark as Caige Sterzer tapped the puck behind the Bulldog net for Tim Gould. He would then make a perfect stretch pass to the Victoria line for a streaking River Fahey, who placed a perfect wrist shot from the top of the left circle long-side past the glove of Liam Souliere inside the far post to make it 1-1. There would be no scoring through the remainder of the period. Shots were even at 15-15.
The Bulldogs had a strong start to the second, spending the better part of the opening two minutes of the period on the attack in the Grizzlies zone, but they were unable to generate any good chances. The Grizzlies had a great chance to take the lead a few minutes later, but Luke Pearson made a breakaway save on Marty Westhaver to keep it tied. The period was somewhat sloppy through the middle portion of it, with neither team carrying any extended stretches of play. The Grizzlies had another good chance late in the period to take the lead, but Luke Pearson got his right toe on a Connor Eddy net drive to keep it tied. The Bulldogs had a 2 on 1 rush in the final 20 seconds of the period, but couldn't hit the net to take the lead. In the end, there would be no scoring in the period, with the shots even at 12-12 for a 40 minute total of 27-aside.
The third period saw the Bulldogs whistled for back to back penalties in a span of 13 seconds, putting the Grizzlies to a 5 on 3 power play for 1:47 in duration. The Bulldogs did a good job of not giving up much into the final seconds of it, but the Grizzlies would pot what would be the eventual winner on a simple shot and a rebound from the right side of the slot that saw Pearson make the initial save with his left pad on Marty Westhaver, but Alex DiPaolo potted the rebound from the paint to make it 2-1 at 5:04 of the third, with Vincent Nardone also drawing an assist. The Bulldogs would earn a power play three minutes later, but couldn't threaten enough on it, or earn an even up 5 on 3 call as the Grizzlies killed it to protect their lead. Another Victoria power play was awarded later in the period that had the Bulldog bench up in arms, and again the Grizzlies connected on it as Brady MacDonald threw the puck at the net from the right point where it was cut off half way by Andrew Amousse in the right circle, who spun and fired a quick release home short-side inside the post to make it 3-1 at 13:40 of the third. The Bulldogs would threaten on a scramble with under four minutes to play to make it a one-goal game, but hit the crossbar and it stayed out. The Grizzlies would put the game away a minute and change later, as the Bulldogs turned it over onto a Grizzlies stick resulting in an in-alone chance for Henri Schreifels, who out-waited Luke Pearson to tuck it inside the post far-side to make it 4-1 with no assists on the play at 18:02 of the third.
Third period shots were 16-14 Bulldogs, for a game total in their favour of 43-41 with Luke Pearson taking the loss while Liam Souliere earned the win and third star honours. The Bulldogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 1 for 5.
The Bulldogs are next in action Wednesday night at home when they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Hammer
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