The Bulldogs got off to a fantastic start - at least for the opening 60 seconds - as they buzzed around the Warrior zone with some obvious desperation, and came painfully close to opening the scoring when Mitchel Deelstra hit the crossbar behind Johnny Derrick but it stayed out. Seconds later, it was 1-0 West Kelowna as Tyler Christall came off the bench and was found wide open on the right side of the Bulldog zone as he walked untouched in on Luke Pearson where he tucked it inside the far post cutting across the crease. Drawing assists on the play were Nicholas Ardanaz and John Evans at1:17 of the first. West Kelowna got a noticeable jump from the goal, while the Bulldogs appeared somewhat stunned for a couple of minutes. They would start to push back, and had several great opportunities but couldn't hit the net before the Warriors doubled their lead short of the midway point of the period on a set up to the slot on the rush and a quick release seven-hole through the blocker arm of Levi Stauber at 9:52 of the first to make it 2-0, with the lone assist to Holden Kodak. The Bulldogs again had several great chances throughout the remainder of the period, but couldn't capitalize them as it stayed 2-0 Warriors through 20 minutes. Shots were 8-7 West Kelowna.
The Bulldogs began the second period once again inspired, and seconds into it looked to make it 2-1 but Ryan Doolin couldn't convert on a cross-ice set up and a wide open net, as the goal light went on and the horn sounded, but the puck certainly didn't go in. Somewhat similarly to the first, the Warriors added to their lead soon afterwards, on at least the third rebound attempt around the Bulldog net sliding to the far side where Deegan Mofford lifting it high short-side past the shoulder of Pearson at 4:18 of the second, with the lone assist to Jacob Brockman. The Warriors earned a power play later in the period, but the Bulldogs had the best chance on it as Jackson Doucet raced in alone on a breakaway but Johnny Derrick got his left toe on it to keep it out. The Bulldogs got a big break later in the period, when a puck bounced to the front of the net onto a Warrior's stick and Luke Pearson never saw it, but was down in the butterfly and made a left toe save none the less on the in-alone chance. Bulldogs earned a late period power play, and again threatened on it with four shots, but couldn't get on the board. A second penalty came in the dying second of the advantage, with a fourth chance following it in the final minute of the period leading to a 5 on 3 advantage of 55 seconds. They had an initial shot on it off the draw, but couldn't make the opportunity count before the buzzer. Shots were 12-10 Bulldogs, for a two-period total of 19-18 Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs could not make the short 5 on 3, and subsequent 5 on 4 power play count to begin the period, as it stayed 3-0. Two minutes later, Luke Pearson would make a big save on a deflection in the lsot to keep it that way. A few minutes later, the Bulldogs had a promising series of odd-man rushes, but none of the opportunities ended up with a puck on net. A Bulldog penalty kill maintained the three goal hole into the back half of the third, but there was no push mounted to make a game of it, as the Warriors continued to carry the play and not give up much around their net, while continuing to get opportunities to the buzzer but being unable to capitalize on them.
Shots in the third were 13-6 Warriors, for a game total of 31-25 in their favour. Luke Pearson took the loss, while Johnny Derrick earned 2nd star honours with the win. Both teams went 0 for 4 on the power play.
With the loss, the Bulldogs have suffered back to back defeats at home for the first time this season. Tonight also marks the first time the Bulldogs have been shut out this season.
The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow night when they visit the Clippers in Nanaimo.
Hammer
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