The Bulldogs got off to their best start of the season, as they took a 1-0 lead just 25 seconds into the game when Connor Welsh forced a turnover at the Bulldog line. Bradley Ong would push the pace up ice to create an odd-man rush where he put a cross-ice pass onto the tape of Isaac Tonkin-Palmer in the left circle where he snapped a shot on goal that beat Zachary Rose top corner, long-side over his glove. The Grizzlies pushed right back on the next shift, but Colten Lancaster came up with a couple good saves in tight. The Bulldogs almost created another another odd-man rush from their own side of centre seconds later, but instead turned the puck over and the Grizzlies capitalized on it as Ryan Nolan threw a cross-crease pass from the right side that was one-timed home by Lucas Clark to make it 1-1 just 1:21 into the game. The Bulldogs would have a good chance to take the lead later in the first when Cayden Kraus walked to the net from in tight and lifted a backhand over Rose, but it hit the crossbar and stayed out. It remained a tie game until the latter stages of the first when the Dogs got caught with a tired group on the ice after they spent a minute in the attacking zone, but couldn't get off the ice. It would lead to an extended shift in their zone, that led to a penalty. The Bulldogs won the initial faceoff to clear the puck down ice, but after that they couldn't get a clear to get a change and the Grizzlies connected to make it 2-1 on another cross-crease set up as Lucas Clark put a backdoor pass onto the tape of a wide-open Alex Newhook who lifted it into the open side before Lancaster could get over, at 16:21 of the first. Shots in the period were 9-7 Grizzlies.
The Bulldogs did a good job to kill off the penalty to start the period, and then pushed the pace over the next couple of minutes to create a series of good chances both off the rush and in the attacking zone, but they couldn't find the equalizer. They would again find themselves in the penalty box, but again came up with a solid kill to keep it a one-goal game. The Grizzlies would create a great chance on the rush to build their lead, but Colten Lancaster came up with a great right toe save on a Lucas Clark tip-in attempt. The Bulldogs would earn a power play at the midway point of the period, and while they didn't cash in on it they looked good and created some chances and momentum. The best chance to get the equalizer came with three minutes to play in the period off a defensive zone draw that saw a clearing attempt chased down by Keaton Mastrodonato for a breakaway that didn't see him get a Grade A shot off, but Zachary Rose still came up with the save to keep it a 2-1 game after two periods. Shots in the second were 10-7 Bulldogs, for a 17-16 advantage in their favour after 40 minutes.
The Bulldogs continued their push to start the third, and were rewarded for good work below the goal line that saw Keaton Mastrodonato block a rim up the wall that saw the puck come to the slot. Paul Selleck threw a low shot on net that was stopped by Rose, but he couldn't control the rebound as Selleck had another wack before it popped back to the hashmarks for Jackson Doucet who made no mistake in ripping it under the crossbar to tie the game at 2-2 at 1:35 of the third period. The Bulldogs would have the better of the chances throughout the remainder of regulation, with Jackson Doucet having an in alone chance with five minutes to play that saw him get a good shot away despite Jordan Guiney water skiing behind him with his stick across his waist. The Bulldogs had another near-miss in the final minute of regulation but Rose came up with two in tight saves on Brandon Bergado. Third period shots were 10-6 Bulldogs, for a 27-22 advantage after 60 minutes.
Overtime saw each team have a look on net, with the Bulldogs having the initial possession and opportunity. They would get the winner with just over a minute left in 4-on-4 OT as an initial set up saw Mitch Oliver take a Ryan Steele pass and put a shot on goal that appeared to be tipped wide by Keaton Mastrodonato. Connor Welsh would find the puck in the right corner up the wall and put a perfect pass again to a wide-open Oliver in the left side of the slot where he ripped home the game winner, high long-side over the glove of Rose at 3:38 of overtime.
Final shots were 29-23 Bulldogs, with Colten Lancaster picking up the win while Zachary Rose took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 1 for 3.
With the win, the Bulldogs have won three straight games, while the Grizzlies have lost four straight. The Bulldogs are next in action Saturday night at home when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Hammer
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