Action was intense at the Dawg Pound on Friday (Jan. 19) as the Alberni Valley Bulldogs beat the Cowichan Capitals 7–6 in double overtime in their second of three home-and-home B.C. Hockey League games.
Paul Selleck opened scoring for the Bulldogs just 51 seconds into the game—his 13th goal of the season—setting the tone for the night. The first period ended with Cowichan in the lead 2–1 on goals by Brendan Cherwalk and Troy MacTavish.
The second period saw both teams score seven goals in total, with the Bulldogs scoring four on goals by Christian Simeone with two, Tyler Vanuden and Keaton Mastrodonato to draw even 5–5 with Cowichan.
The Caps broke the tie at 13:10 of the third period on a goal by Tyler Pochipinski. Mastrodonato scored his second of the game for the Bulldogs at 15:46 to deadlock the game 6–6 and send it into overtime.
Darren Rizzolo scored the winning goal at 4:24 of the second overtime, assisted by Selleck and Cole Poliziani. John Hawthorne got the win in goal for the Bulldogs.
“It was an up and down game,” head coach Matt Hughes said. “We were proud of how our guys stuck with it and came back from multiple deficits in the hockey game.
“Getting the extra point was good for our guys.”
The teams are now 1–1 in a three-game, home-and-home stand. The Capitals beat the Bulldogs 6–2 at the Island Savings Centre on Wednesday (Jan. 17). Luc Salem and Julian Benner scored for the Bulldogs in Wednesday’s contest.
The Bulldogs and Cowichan face off again tonight (Jan. 20) at 7 p.m. at the Island Savings Centre in Cowichan, which should be equally as intense as the first two matchups between the teams, says Hughes. “I would expect another competitive game,” he said.
“I think both teams will try to be a little more structured without the puck and try to cut down on chances against.”
ICE CHIPS…All three game stars scored twice on the night: first star was Tate Coughlin for Cowichan, followed by Simeone and Mastrodonato for the Bulldogs. Follow the Bulldogs’ play-by-play with Evan Hammond and 93.3 PEAK FM.
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