Dogs fall 5-4 to Caps

The Bulldogs started the game lightyears better in this one, and looked more reminiscent of the team that had started strong and scored first in four straight games going into Saturday's contest as Victoria, as they pushed the pace and won the battles early to take a 6-1 lead in shots. They would take a 1-0 lead later in the period after consecutive icings by the Capitals led to a giveaway up the middle onto the tape of Dylan Haugen who blew a slap shot past the blocker of Robin Gusse. Rob Click picked up the only assist, 8:36 in. The Capitals would push right back on the next couple of shifts, but Connor LaCouvee came up with several solid stops to protect the lead, with the Dogs holding the 1-0 advantage after 20 minutes with the shots even at 8-8.

The Bulldogs started the second period strong, doubling their lead when they broke out of their zone quickly on good transition and caught the Capitals deep in the Offensive zone as Craig Martin skated in on a breakaway from his own line that he made no mistake on, going low-stick side on Gusse. Assists on the play went to Hunter Stewart and Justin Georgeson 2:15 into the period. The Dogs would have too many chances to even mention to build the lead as they carried the play and swarmed the Capitals end. Unfortunately, they wouldn't be able to capitalize and it came back to bite them later in the period as the Caps scored against the flow of the play as Myles Powell tipped home a Patrick Arnold shot from the slot. Dane Gibson also picked up an assist at 11:02 of the second. Later in the period the Dogs again had a great chance to build the lead when Craig Martin skated in on a shorthanded breakaway, but Gusse held his ground to keep it 2-1. Late in the period the Capitals would keep the puck in the line and tie it as Adam Moody went to the slot and snapped one past the blocker of LaCouvee, with Jarrett Brown and Mitch Ball drawing the assists for a 2-2 tie at 19:35 of the second, with the Dogs leading the shots after 40 minutes 27-17.

The Capitals would take the lead on the power play just over four minutes into the third on the rush as a cross-ice pass that didn't seem to have enough speed on it somehow missed everyone and ended up on the tape of Mitch Ball who ripped it top corner, short-side on LaCouvee. Assists went to Riley O'Connor and Jarrett Brown at 4:16 of the second. The Dogs would battle back to make it 3-3 on the power play five minutes later as Brett Stewart scored his first career goal on a slap shot from the point that beat the blocker of Gusse. Assists went to Zak Bowles and Jakson Elynuik at 10:30 of the third. Connor LaCouvee would come up with a big save shortly afterwards to keep it tied as he robbed Steen Cooper on a breakaway, but the Capitals surged ahead to lead 4-3 at 13:33 as a Bulldog defender ran into the outside of the net with the puck, allowing Armand Uomoleale to steal it and walk out front and roof it before LaCouvee could locate it. Sam Curleigh would somehow manage an assist on the play. Just two minutes later it was 5-3 Capitals on a poor change by the Dogs as Sam Curleigh was found wide open in the slot where he went top corner, short-side on LaCouvee. Jesse Neher picked up the only assist at 15:16. Again the Dogs refused to quit, having several great chances to get back into it over the final four minutes and change, making it a 5-4 game with less than a minute to go with the goalie out as Ryan Buse threw the puck at the net where Hunter Stewart settled it down and fired it home past the glove of Gusse. Josh Adkins also drew an assist at 19:14. The Dogs would again pull the goalie and have several chances around the net but they couldn't find the equalizer as the Capitals held on.

Final shots favoured the Dogs 40-24 with Connor LaCouvee taking the loss while Robin Gusse picked up 2nd star honours with the win. Both teams went 1 for 3 on the power play.

Hammer