The best start for the Bulldogs to a game this season, as they came out with good energy and drew a penalty in the opening moments. While they weren't able to connect on the power play they did run up a 7-0 advantage in shots eight minutes into the game. A penalty would stop their momentum and turn the tide for a spell, but the Dogs finished the period strong drawing another penalty just before the buzzer on a nifty football-esque arial pass that ended up on the tape of Shane O'Brien, just on-side but he couldn't get a clean shot away.
The Dogs again played a solid period in the middle frame, carrying the bulk of the play and getting the better of the chances - three good ones stand out - Brett Stewart hit the crossbar, and both Mitch Makin and Tryg Strand were denied in tight. After the dust settled, they somehow found themselves down 2-0 with two quick Capital goals late in the period. The first came from an odd-man rush as the Capitals connected on a 3 on 1 rush as Cam Curleigh went to the net and fired home a Daniel Wanner pass. Armand Uomoleale also drew an assist on the play at 16:24 of the second. Off the ensuing draw the Capitals would race into the zone and get a great chance in the slot, but Brad Rebagliati came up with a big glove save to keep it just 1-0. The Dogs would then go up ice and draw a penalty. They weren't able to connect on the power play, and with a defencemen in deep no one covered the man leaving the box, resulting in a breakaway for Mason Malkowich that he converted on with a glove-side wrist shot. Assists went to Myles Powell and Devin Henes at 19:10 of the second, as the Dogs outshot the Capitals through 40 minutes 32-13 yet trailed 2-0.
As much as the Dogs owned the second, the Capitals owned the third, not a good recipe for success when you are down by a couple of goals. The Caps connected to take a 3-0 lead just 3:26 in as Kyle Horsman scored on a beautiful one-timer from the deep slot, top corner glove side on Brad Rebagliati. Assists on the play went to Jesse Neher and Rylan Bechtel. The Dogs understandably sagged after that one, and never got much going the rest of the way. The Caps made it 4-0 on the power play at 11:30 as Colton Kehler scored a greasy one as he had about 3 or 4 wacks at a puck that seemed to be under Rebagliati, but there was no whistle and the Dogs defense didn't clear Kehler out. Credit to him for continuing to battle until the whistle and refuse to be denied. Perhaps the Dogs could take a page out of that playbook. Assists on the play went to Brayden Gelsinger and Steen Cooper. One more final marker rubbed some salt in the wound as the Dogs got caught up ice - and from some guys, the backcheck was non-existant, resulting in an open net tap in for Dane Gibson on a cross ice pass by Myles Powell. Mitch Ball also assisted on the play at 17:52 of the third.
Final score 5-0 Capitals, as they improve to 3-1-0-0 and the Dogs fall to 0-5-0-0. I had the Dogs at 0 for 6 on the power play, while the Capitals went 1 for 4.
Next up for the Dogs, a visit from the Surrey Eagles on Saturday night.
2 comments:
Ouch...still now wins this season...and with the Surrey Eagles up next it wont be easy. How can we get the momentum started?
Certainly ouch, and certainly won't be easy. Only way to get the momentum I think, as simple as it sounds, is keep it simple. Beat them by outworking them, by out shooting them, by playing a better team game. The pressure on the guys must be unbearable, the lack of confidence must be very tough. Being down however, is no solution to finding a way to get up!
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