ALBERNI VALLEY 3
VICTORIA 1
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs and their veteran netminder John Hawthorne delivered a message to the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday night.
If the two teams meet in the B.C. Hockey League playoffs, which is likely, the ’Dogs won’t go quietly.
Backed by Hawthorne’s stellar netminding and numerous phantom calls by referees Jake Podann and Corey Koop that gave Alberni an 8-2 advantage in power plays, including a five-minute major to start the third period, the Bulldogs silenced the crowd of 1,218 at The Q Centre and edged the Grizzlies 3-1, putting an end to Victoria’s three-game win streak.
Despite a parade to the penalty box that included a blow-to-the-head major and game misconduct to Grizzlies assistant captain Ryan Nolan near the end of the second period, the Grizzlies outshot the Bulldogs 38-30. But the ’Dogs big netminder from Chemainus, who’s headed to the NCAA and Northern Michigan in the fall, brought his ‘A’ game and carried his team to a key win. Alberni (20-32-3-0) moves five points clear of Cowichan Valley, all but locking up fourth place in the Island Division.
The Grizzlies were frustrated with the Bulldogs but even more frustrated by the officials. So much so even mild-mannered Alex Newhook boiled over and the BCHL leading scorer, who had the Grizzlies’ only goal, got in his first fight of the season following yet another non-call when the Grizzlies captain was pulled to the ice by Alberni’s Keaton Mastrodonato.
The Bulldogs scored on their first power play of the game, 11 minutes into the first period when Aaron Bohlinger’s point shot was tipped past Zack Rose by Mastrodonato.
After Newhook tied it with his 35th of the season, Alberni stormed back just 37 seconds later when Mitch Deelstra finished off a 2-on-1. Josh Zary added an empty-netter with 23 seconds remaining.
The Grizzlies (34-17-0-4) missed a chance to widen their lead over the Powell River Kings in the race for the Island Division title. The Kings picked up a point in an OT loss to Coquitlam on Saturday to cut the Grizzlies’ lead to six points.
The Grizzlies and the Kings will square off this afternoon with a 2 p.m. matchup at Hap Parker Arena.
