Dogs fall 4-3 to Caps in overtime

Tonight's Game Report is brought to you courtesy of the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel 

The BEST WESTERN PLUS Barclay Hotel, the largest full facility hotel in Port Alberni, BC. When staying with us there is no need to give up conveniences you are used to. You can discover treasures to take home at the Alberni Harbour Quay, and then browse our onsite Cold Beer, Wine Store and liquor store or retreat to our Stamps Cafe or Pastimes Sports Bar and Grill to enjoy a snack or to watch the game on our big screen TV. Then, relax in our sauna or pool before settling in our luxurious accommodations to enjoy the vintage wine picked up earlier. That's when you will truly understand why the tranquil setting of our hotel has been called the perfect place to call home. If traveling on business, our Port Alberni Hotel boasts over 4500 square feet of meeting space in four rooms that are perfect for small conventions, banquets, parties, meetings and weddings. AV equipment and catering are also available.

The Bulldogs got off to a solid start, opening the scoring for the first time in seven games just over seven minutes in on the power play, on what I thought was a good defensive play that ended up in a Capital penalty. The Dogs power play couldn't have been simpler, with a point shot just thrown on net by Jordan Sandhu from the right point. Lane Michasiw made the first save but allowed a juicy rebound that was fired home by Eric Margo off the top of the crease. Nathan Dingmann also picked up an assist on the play at 7:26 of the first. The Capitals would answer with just under six minutes to play on a weird one, and in my eyes a controversial one that would've bent the laws of physics to end up in the net as a shot from the slot deflected high in the air and bounced just past the post to end up on the outside of the net. As the net was dislodged on a scramble, the Referee at the net ruled it a good goal but I'm not sure how the puck ended up over the line considering that it was on the outside of the base of the net behind the goal line. In the end the goal would stand, with not much in the way of conversation appearing to happen between the Officiating crew. Ryan Hogg would get credit for it, with no assists given on the marker at 14:28 of the first. Just over a minute later the Capitals took a 2-1 lead on the rush when Ryan Burton got by a Bulldog defender at centre and raced down the left wing before throwing a far-side shot on net that appeared to deflect off a Bulldog defender and off the post and in. Kade Kehoe picked up the only assist at 15:42 of the first. The Bulldogs would answer back before the period was out when they connected off an attacking zone draw that was won back by Adam Donnelly onto the tape of Garrett Halls at the right point. He would walk across the line before snapping a perfect top corner shot over the blocker of a screened Michasiw to make it 2-2 at 18:40 of the first. Shots were even at 10-10 after 20 minutes.

The second period was played at a high pace through the first 10 minutes, but neither side found the net as it remained deadlocked. The Caps earned a power play on what I thought was a good defensive play and had a handful of chances, but Carson Schamerhorn and the penalty killers came up big. Schamerhorn would again come up big on a missed pass that ended up banking perfectly for a breakaway for Kade Kehoe, but he couldn't convert as Schamerhorn came up with a big pad save. The Bulldogs took their second lead of the game soon afterwards on a turnover up the middle that was kept in at the line by Dominic Thom. He would walk to the net down the right wing before putting a beautiful cross-slot pass onto the tape of Liam Conrad who made no mistake one-timing it home before Michasiw could get over to make it 3-2 Dogs at 12:19 of the second. The Capitalize would equalize with just over a minute to play in the period as the Dogs threatened but failed to find the net on the power play. Luke Santerno would exit the penalty box and was failed to be picked up by a defender before Ben Verrall hit him with a breakaway pass. He would walk to the net down the right wing and snap one home far side past the blocker of Schamerhorn at 19:01 of the second for a 3-3 tie after 40 minutes, with the Dogs out shooting the Caps 13-10 for a two period advantage of 23-20.

The third period through the first half of it played out like the front half of the second as neither team hit the net but the game was played at a high pace with each team having their chances and neither side controlling the better of the play compared to the other as it stayed tied through the final eight minutes. Neither team would connect through the remainder of regulation, with the Bulldogs having a handful of chances late on a power play but being just unable to convert on a scramble. Third period shots favoured the Bulldogs 13-7 for a 60 minute advantage of 37-28.

Overtime saw the Bulldogs had the best early chance on the second shift as Jordan Sandhu wheeled around the Caps zone and out to the right side where he found Nathan Dingmann all alone walking to the net, but Lane Michasiw came up with a game saver with his left toe to keep it out. The Dogs would get caught pressing with too many men in deep, and an odd-man rush was the end result as Ayden MacDonald walked up the right wing on a long 2 on 1 rush where he put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Sam Jones, who beat his man to the net and one-timed it home into the open side for the 4-3 final at 1:45 of overtime.

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 37-29, with Carson Schamerhorn taking the loss while Lane Michasiw picked up the win. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Capitals went 0 for 3.

A heartbreaking loss, but again a solid effort for the Bulldogs. They next see action Sunday afternoon at home when they host the Powell River Kings at 2:00pm.

Hammer