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Friday, November 18, 2016

Dogs drop third straight, 4-1 to Grizzlies

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.



While the Dogs appeared ready to play in the early minutes of the game, it didn't equate to a good start on the scoreboard as the Grizzlies led 1-0  just two minutes into the game as a terrible turnover below the goal line saw Keyvan Mokhtari set up Nathan Looysen all alone in front. Brody Claeys would make a fantastic initial save, but got no help on the rebound as Tyler Welsh banged it home from in the paint just over the goal line at 2:14 of the first. The next ten minutes were fairly even and back and forth, but the Grizzlies started to put the pressure on late in the frame. Brody Claeys made a series of good saves to keep it 1-0, but the Grizzlies kept pushing and hemmed the Dogs in their zone. Claeys would again make a huge inital save on a wide open Nathan Looysen in front, but again the Grizzlies out fought the Dogs for the rebound with Tyler Welsh scoring his second of the period from his knees in the crease to make it 2-0 at 18:39 with Mokhtari and Looysen again drawing the assists. Shots in the period favoured the Grizzlies 11-4.

The Bulldogs earned their second power play of the game early in the period, but were unable to generate a shot despite a good effort on it. The Grizzlies would push back immediately afterwards, with Brody Claeys making a sizzling right toe save on a one-timer chance by Tim Friedmann in the slot. Victoria would earn their first power play of the game near the midway point of the period after a good Bulldog shift. The Dogs would instead get on the board with their first shorthanded goal of the season as Cayden Kraus made two great efforts, first to knock the puck out of the zone, and secondly to steal it from Jake Stevens at the Victoria line where he skated in alone on the breakaway and snapped a perfect shot top corner, far-side over the glove of Tony Rehm to make it 2-1, un-assisted at 9:22 of the second. The Dogs would come up with a solid kill on a soft penalty on the next shift, and earned two power play opportunities over the remainder of the period that they failed to capitalize on to tie it up. Shots in the period favoured the Grizzlies 9-8, for a 40 minute advantage of 20-12.

The third period began with each side pushing the pace, however the Grizzlies went up 3-1 on a terrible bounce, but a fortunate one from their perspective as a Lucas Clark wrister from the deep slot hit a Bulldog stick and went skyward with a perfect arc to find the top corner over the glove of a clueless Claeys who couldn't locate the crazy deflection. Drayson Pears picked up the only assist on it at 2:13 of the third. Despite the disheartening start to the period, the Bulldogs didn't sag and pushed hard to try and get back it, generating some great chances, but being unable to convert on no less than three open nets on cross-ice rebounds to get back into it. The Dogs would come up with a solid penalty kill to have a fighting chance on a call from the other end of the ice with six minutes to go to keep within two. The Dogs pulled their goalie late for the extra attacker and forced the Grizzlies to ice it. They would win the following draw, but fail to get the puck and couldn't succeed in getting it deep again as Cameron Thompson took an outlet pass from Brett Stirling over the Bulldogs line up the left side where he sealed the deal for the 4-1 final with 21 seconds to play.

Third period shots favoured the Bulldogs 9-8, with the game total of 28-21 Grizzlies with Brody Claeys taking the loss and Tony Rehm picking up the win. The Dogs went 0 for 5 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 0 for 3.

The Dogs are next in action tomorrow night when they host the Trail Smoke Eaters.

Hammer

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