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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Dogs fall 2-1 to Wild in fantastic end to end affair



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

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The Dogs showed no signs of the flatness that some teams see when returning to home ice after a long road stretch, as they pushed the pace and took the body finishing a bunch of checks. The Wild could open the scoring on a somewhat innocent looking play, but no play could be thought of as innocent with the BCHL's leading goal scorer involved as Brendan Harris drove the Dogs net and was checked, but the loose puck was found by Charlie Combs, who scored on a lightning quick release, top corner short-side on Carson Schamerhorn to make it 1-0 Wild at 4:34 of the first. The Dogs didn't appear to let the goal against deflate them, but the Wild continued to push the pace and get more pucks on net in running up an early 7-1 lead in shots. The Dogs would generate some good chances on their own on the rush in the back half of the period, but Devin Cooley was solid in the Wild net when called upon. The period was played at a high pace, and was very physical with plenty of hits and even a spirited scrap between Braydon Nelson and Lucas Sowder. Shots in the period favoured the Wild 14-6.

The second period was much like the first, with great end to end action played at a lightning fast pace. The Dogs earned an early power play chance, but couldn't cash in on it. They would continue to keep their effort level high, and generated a couple opportunities, but Devin Cooley came up big to protect the lead through the midway point of the second. The Wild would double their lead late in the period on a faceoff in the Dogs end, as Brian Williams walked in tight where he was stopped by the glove of Schamerhorn. He couldn't squeeze the rebound though, as Brendan Harris dove to slide it just inside the post, far-side to make it 2-0 at 15:20 of the second, with Alex Bates given the only official assist on the play. The Wild would control the better of the play over the next two minutes, with Carson Schamerhorn coming up with a series of saves to keep the Dogs in it. They would push back, with Devin Cooley again keeping the Dogs off the board through the end of the second. Shots were even at 13 aside in the period, for a 27-19 Wild lead after two.

The Dogs came out of the gate flying to start the third, getting a trio of good chances on the rush and on goal mouth scrambles through the first minute. They would earn a power play chance soon afterwards, but couldn't capitalize on it as the Wild killed it efficiently. The Dogs were persistent though, and fought hard on an attacking zone shift to finally send the bears flying as Cayden Kraus took a pass in the right circle from Trevor Cosgrove that he snapped home low, short-side past the glove of Cooley to make it 2-1 at 5:12 of the third period. The remainder of the game was played again at a high pace, with each team having their chances, and the Bulldogs having the better of them but being unable to beat Cooley despite several great opportunities in the final minute on a late game power play as the Wild made the lead stand for the 2-1 final.

Shots in the third favoured the Dogs 13-8 for a game total of 35-32 Wild. Carson Schamerhorn took the loss but earned 3rd star honours while Devin Cooley picked up the win. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Wild didn't earn an advantage.

The Dogs are next in action Wednesday night when they visit the Capitals in Duncan.

Hammer


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