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BCHL: Alberni Valley Bulldogs pick up another come-from-behind win

Bulldogs take the Cowichan Valley Capitals to overtime
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Bulldogs captain Mitch Deelstra carries the puck into the Capitals’ zone. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs lead the BCHL in third period come-from-behind wins this season after another comeback against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs picked up two key points at home on Jan. 22 with a 5-4 overtime win against the visiting Capitals. The Caps got on the board first to take an early 1-0 lead three minutes into the game. Bulldogs captain Mitch Deelstra tied the game at the 9:52 mark with a short-handed tally, but the Capitals would add a pair of goals to make it 3-1 before the end of the period.

The Caps extended their lead to 4-1 in the second, before Deelstra notched his second of the game to pull the Bulldogs within two.

Down 4-2 in the third period, the Bulldogs were able to net goals from Tim Gould and Stephen Castagna to tie the game 4-4. Despite being outshot 17-9 in the third period, the Bulldogs were able to force overtime with some key saves from goaltender Luke Pearson. In the extra frame, Jackson Munro sniped his fifth of the season to win the game 5-4 for the Bulldogs.

Forward Matthew Grouchy led the way for the Bulldogs with three assists and was named the game’s first star.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 23-18-1-2 on the season and now have a BCHL-leading six come-from-behind wins in the third period.

The Bulldogs will host Victoria at the Dawg Pound on Friday, Jan. 24. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

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Bulldogs defenceman Tim Gould escapes pursuit of Capitals forward John Lundy. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
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Cowichan Valley Capitals forward Matthew Crasa chases down the puck, pursued by Bulldogs forward Caige Sterzer. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
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Capitals goaltender Zach Borgiel manages to make a save as Capitals defender Cullen Ferguson and Bulldogs forward Ryan Doolin crash into the net. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
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Cowichan Valley Capitals defenceman, taken to the boards by Bulldogs forward Josh Zary, dishes a pass to his teammate behind the Cowichan net during the second period of a game on Wednesday, Jan. 22. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
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Bernie the Bulldogs mascot interacts with the audience during an Alberni Valley Bulldogs game on Wednesday, Jan. 22. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)


Elena Rardon

About the Author: Elena Rardon

I have worked with the Alberni Valley News since 2016.
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