The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are coming home to rally the Valley after dropping their first two games of the B.C. Hockey League’s Coastal Conference finals to the Surrey Eagles at South Surrey Arena.
The Bulldogs lost a heartbreaking 3-2 decision in overtime on Sunday, May 5, 2024 as the Eagles continued their series lead. Samuel Leonard put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard first at 7:29 of the second period, with Nicholas Beneteau giving them a 2-0 lead about seven minutes later. Surrey’s Ty Brassington scored on the power play at 18:47 to cut Alberni’s lead to 2-1 after two periods.
Caden Cranston tied it up for the Eagles at 19:01 of the third period, forcing overtime. Cranston then scored the winner off passes from Brassington and Micah Berger at 15:15.
Surrey won the first game of the series 2-1 on May 4. Eagles Sid McNeill and Zachary Wagnon scored 1:40 apart in the first period to give Surrey a 2-0 lead. Alberni Valley’s Grayson Badger scored on a late third-period power play but it wasn’t enough to propel the Bulldogs to victory.
Surrey’s Ajeet Gundarah stopped 27 of 28 shots and was named first star of the game. Callum Tung made 23 saves for the Bulldogs.
The series moves to Port Alberni with games in the Dawg Pound on Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9. Puck drop is 7 p.m. for both nights. Check out ticket availability at www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca or visit the box office at the Alberni Valley Multiplex during office hours.
AROUND THE BCHL...Six BCHL on-ice officials have been selected to participate in the NHL’s Officiating Exposure Combine in Buffalo, NY from Aug. 15-18: referee Jamie Pavia and linespeople Chase Eising, Brad Ewing, Katie Glover, Eliot Grauer and Tyson Phillips.