Clippers top Dogs 7-5 in wild one at the Dog Pound

The Bulldogs and Clippers both began their respective Parent's Weekend Friday night at the Dog Pound, with everyone apparently trying to score for Mom and Dad as the teams combined for five goals in a wild first period.

The Dogs opened the scoring on the power play just 3:14 into the game as Darian Henry one-timed a D to D pass from Luca Doctor top corner, far side on Liam McLeod. Craig Martin also picked up an assist on the play. It was 2-0 Dogs two and a half minutes later when Jakson Elynuik was found on the top of the crease where he snapped one through the legs of McLeod for his first Bulldog and BCHL goal from Zak Bowles and Tryg Strand at 5:58 of the first. The two goal lead apparently was the worst thing that could have happened to the Dogs as the Clippers immediately started to carry the play and hem the Dogs in their zone. Tyger Howat would make several solid saves to protect the lead but the Clippers persisted and got on the board when Brendan Taylor stuffed in an end-board bounce off a deflected point shot before Howat could get back to the post. Taylor Grabowski and Mason Mitchell drew the assists at 10:25. The Dogs re-established the two goal lead less than two minutes later on an end-board bounce of their own as Scott Clark fed the top of the point where Luca Doctor threw a shot at the net. Harlan Orr would roof the loose puck from a sharp angle before McLeod could recover, making it 3-1 Dogs at 12:23. Just 3:10 later a bad pass up the middle was picked off by Sheldon Rempal, who walked in alone and across the crease untouched where he slid it through the five hole of Howat to make it 3-2, unassisted.

The second period saw the Bulldogs sent to the penalty box three straight times within the first seven minutes, twice for after-the-whistle mix ups defending the front of their net. The third straight power play was enough for the Clippers to tie it up, as Sheldon Rempal one-timed a Scott Prier pass from the top of the left circle top corner, far side on Howat at 7:35. The Clippers took their first lead of the game six minutes later on a strong net drive by Taylor Grobowski and poor checking by the Dogs defence as Grobowski out-raced the defence to the net and cut across the crease before tucking it past the pad of Howat. Assists on the play went to Brendan Taylor and Colton Dahlen at 13:13 of the second. Just 13 seconds after the Clippers went ahead they were immediately penalized, but the Dogs couldn't capitalize on the advantage. The crowd soon after would erupt in boos as Tryg Strand was drilled after the whistle in front of the Clippers net, and no penalty was called, while the Dogs were penalized twice earlier in the period for what appeared to be less agressive infractions. Play went up ice and ended up at the Bulldogs net, where there was once again a skirmish. This time, the Dogs came out a man up and on the power play. They would waste no time capitalizing on the chance as Brett Stewart scored for the second straight game on a one-timer from the top of the point to tie it at 4-4, with assists to Justin Georgeson and Hunter Stewart at 16:34 for a 4-4 tie after 40 minutes.   

The third period saw the Bulldogs take the lead back at 5-4 just 3:14 into the period as Tryg Strand went to the net after winning an extended battle on the half boards in the Nanaimo zone. Zack Bowles would feed the puck back to Brett Stewart who put a shot on net that was stopped by Argue, but went up in the air and hit Strand before ending up in the back of the net. After a discussion between the four Officials and protests by the Clippers that it was kicked in, the goal would stand. The game would change in a big way shortly afterwards with both teams playing 4-aside hockey caused by the Clippers getting a Bench Minor from the Coaching Staff as they protested a waved-off goal as Craig Martin chased a loose puck hit Colton Dahlen from behind on a scary looking hit. I don't think the intent was there from Martin, who was immediately apologetic, but it was certainly reckless. I think he might have partially lost his balance when chasing Dahlen as his stick was checked/trapped. Martin was given a Match Penalty on the play, and the Clippers would make the Dogs pay big time, scoring first on the 5 on 3 power play to tie the game as Devin Brosseau scored on a pass from the side of the net that hit something and went in. Scott Prier and Sheldon Rempal drew the assists at 7:02. Another power play marker a minute and change later saw the Clippers up 6-5 as Austin Dick scored on a blast from the deep slot threw traffic that beat Howat, with assists to Nicholas Gushue and Jacob Hanlon. A minute and a half later the Clippers struck again, on a goal very similar to the previous one as Edwin Hookenson scored on a slapper through traffic from the deep slot, with assists to Sheldon Rempal and Scott Prier at 10:03 for a 7-5 lead and the eventual final score as the Dogs weren't able to come back.

Shots favoured the Clippers 44-32 with Tyger Howat taking the loss while Jayson Argue earned the win in a relief effort. Unofficially I had the Dogs at 2 for 6 while the Clippers went 4 for 7.

Next up, the Dogs host the Vipers on Sunday afternoon.