The Blackfalds Bulldogs made a remarkable debut in the BCHL last night, securing a 4-3 victory against the Okotoks Oilers. With no cages in their new “Rogue, Unsanctioned, Rebel League”.
Luke Dahlen got the Bulldogs their first BCHL goal at 9:45 of the first period with the assists going to Dakota MacIntosh and Collin Eschricht. This was a strange one as most people at least in the stands did not think it went in. Dakota MacIntosh chased the puck into the corner and fired it near the net and all you seen was Luke Dahlen throw his hands up in the air. Once they showed the replay on TV you could clearly see it did. Okotoks took it upstairs (which was understandable). It was good.
Brendan Ross scores on the Power Play to make it a 2-0 Bulldogs game at 12:07 of the opening frame. The assists on the goal went to Ryan Shaw and Carter Cormier. Ross is still the leading scorer of the AJHL and probably will be for a couple more weeks. They took him off their official site along with all the players from the so called Rogue teams. Ross had a 12 point lead on the now leading scorer of the AJHL.
Shots on goal in the first period were close I can tell you that. As of print the BCHL has not updated the shots on goal on the site. I am sure in the game they ended something like 32-31 for Blackfalds. It was really close. Shot stats have not been recorded for either Alberta game from last night.
17 year old Kade Duell got a beauty goal for the Oilers to cut the lead to 2-1 with the assists going to Canmore native Ryder DeNys and Dean Spak.
Just over 30 seconds later Hunter Brown made it a 3-1 game for the Bulldogs at 10:25 of the second period with the assists going to Otto Hanson and Tanner Willick. This goal made the BCHL league Friday night highlight reel.
Shots on goal in the second period again were close.
Rylan Brown got the Oilers within one and made it a 3-2 game when he scored at 15:37 of the third period with the assists going to Arizona State commit Connor Gourley and Alaska Fairbanks commit captain Dean Spak.
Brendan Ross dumped the puck into the empty net from his own zone to get his second of the night and make it a 4-2 game with 19:06 left in the game unassisted. At this point I thought why would the Oilers waste their time leaving their goalie out, as they did even after they were scored on. WJAC Canada West captain Jack Silverberg ended up scoring with 20 seconds left in the game to make it 4-3. The assist on the goal went to 20 year old Calgary native Kade Turner and Sam Huck. It just wasn’t enough and the Bulldogs won the game.
Gabe Gratton made almost 30 saves for the win for the Bulldogs. Mikael Kingo played well also and made alot of stops also for the Oilers. Both goalies were great. Kingo could of as easily been a 3 star.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Gabe Gratton 2) Brendan Ross 3) Luke Dahlen.
Attendance in Blackfalds was 692
Bulldogs next game is Sunday February 4th against the Brooks Bandits in Brooks at 2pm MST. The Bulldogs next home game is Saturday February 10th at 6pm against the Brooks Bandits. Speaking of no cages too I think Shaw may of got banged with something in the face near the end of the game as the trainer went on the ice and helped him off. Hope he is ok.
I had heard horror stories about the refs in BC from people, so you never know. It would be understandable having a ref issue with Hockey Canada punishing anyone who even talks to the BCHL. There weren’t any bad calls made. I don’t think the game would of been that hard to call in the first place anyway. I have seen the coach of Okotoks yell at the refs numerous times over the years and the benches on both sides were quiet last night.
Former Bulldog Connor Dick who now plays for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL got 2 assists in a Chiefs 4-3 overtime win last night over the Langley Rivermen. LINK
The guy doing Kale’s old job last night did a good job on the PA as in game host too.
The Spruce Grove Saints beat the Sherwood Park Crusaders 5-3 in the other Alberta Division game of the BCHL last night.