The boys from Blackfalds showed once again why they’re the class of the Interior East last night, grinding out a hard-fought 4-1 road victory over the Vernon Vipers at Kal Tire Place on February 20. The Bulldogs came in with a solid game plan, staying patient through a tight-checking first two periods where Vernon actually snuck ahead 1-0 on Shawn Leary’s goal in the second. But the third period belonged to Blackfalds—discipline problems for the Vipers opened the door, and the power play clicked like it has all season. Nikita Ivashchenko tied it up on a 5-on-3, then Luke Dahlen buried a backdoor feed from Thomas Neu to take the lead. Dean Toskos added a nice even-strength tally, and Ivashchenko capped his two-goal night with another man-advantage marker to seal the deal. The shots told the story at 39-21 for the Bulldogs, and special teams were the difference—the guys went 3-for-8 with the extra man while Vernon couldn’t convert on their chances. What makes this one extra sweet for Bulldogs fans is that the win officially punched our ticket to the Rogers BCHL playoffs. With the point total now locked in and the standings showing us comfortably positioned (sitting strong at 29-13-1-0 after the result), the postseason berth is secured—no more waiting, no what-ifs. The team’s been building toward this all year, and clinching it on the road against a scrappy Vernon squad just feels right. Next up, the boys head home to keep pushing for that top spot in the division—proud day to be from Blackfalds.
Shots on goal in the scoreless first period were 10-9 for the Vipers
Former Surry Eagle Shawn Leary scores for the Vipers after a Bulldogs d man error as he escaped the penalty box at 3:15 of the second period unassisted to make it a 1-0 Vipers game.
Dean Toskos took exception to a cheap hit and gave a Jersey Sandwich to Kevin Bieksa’s kid in front of the Bulldogs bench.
Shots on goal in the second period were 11-6 for the Bulldogs
Nikita Ivashenko scores on the Power Play to tie the game up at 2:37 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Thomas Neu and Noah Metz.–On a 5-on-3 advantage, Nikita Ivashchenko scored his 22nd of the season to tie the game.
Luke Dahlen makes it 2-1 on the Power Play at 4:10 of the third period on what looked to be one of the smoothest easiest goals he will ever score, with the assists on the goal going to Thomas Neu and Joey Melo.
Dean Toskos makes it a 3-1 game at 9:07 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Luke Dahlen and Krisjanis Sarts.
Nikita Ivashchenko makes it 4-1 when he scores his second goal of the night and 23rd of the season while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Thomas Neu and Noah Mertz.
Shots on goal in the third period were 21-5 for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs outshot the Vipers 41-24 in the game.
Carson Mertz stopped 23 of the 24 shots that he faced for the win for the Bulldogs. For the Vipers Oliver Kanat made 37 saves on the 41 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Nikita Ivashchenko 2) Thomas Neu 3) Shawn Leary
Attendance in Vernon was 2350
Bulldogs next game is Saturday February 21st in Salmon Arm vs The Silverbacks
