The Bulldogs came out flying in the first period, grabbing an early lead and looking sharp against the Saints. After that, though, the effort fell off a cliff. The last two periods were brutal — Blackfalds looked disorganized and flat, and it was the kind of performance that could have easily gotten them skunked against a stronger opponent. What saved them was that Spruce Grove somehow managed to play even worse, giving the Bulldogs just enough room to claw back with a pair of late second-period goals and hang on for the 4-3 win in a scoreless third. The sparse crowd of only 440 didn’t help the atmosphere either — those are Sherwood Park-level numbers — but it’s not entirely surprising when the team barely advertises and rarely lets the few remaining fans know about players coming or going. Plenty of people around town still aren’t sure the Bulldogs even exist anymore, or assume the team packed up and left for B.C. because of the BCHL name.
It wasn’t pretty, and the home side won’t want to rewatch those final 40 minutes, but a win is a win, especially on Parent & Billet Night. Adding to the frustration, fans had to go hunting for highlights from the Spruce Grove account because the Bulldogs still haven’t released any of their own (if they plan to at all). That side of the operation has been terrible this season. The team will need a much more consistent effort on the ice — and better communication off it — if they want to build on this result rather than relying on the other team’s struggles and a half-empty building.
Antoine Gauthier scored his fourth goal of the season to make it a 1-0 game at 4:56 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Dean Toskos and Matthew Croxall.
Alexy Lachaine tied it up for the Saints at 11:20 of the first period while shorthanded from a strange shot Kastelin probably wishes he had back. The assist went to ex Bulldog Jeppe Bertram.
Ryul Kwon regained the Bulldogs lead at 14:12 with a shot that was even weaker than the Saints goal was. The goal was assisted by Johnny Crawford and Matthew Croxall.
Shots on goal in the first period were 12-9 for the Bulldogs
Denis Kuzmenkov gets his first goal as a Bulldog to make the game 3-1 at 5:38 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Luke Walkauskas and Henry Kress.
Felix Haibock scored his 9th goal of the season on the Power Play at 17:15 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Lucas Cilan and Jacob Hamel. This goal was expectd as the Bulldogs watched the Saints play around with the puck on the Power Play for a long time. Maybe they figured a 3-1 lead meant time to take a break🤷🏽♂️
On a play again Kastelin probably really wishes he had back the Saints tied the game up when Scott Sanidlands snuck up behind him inbehind the net and stole the puck of his stick (as the other Bulldogs watched and let it happen, no notice to him or nothing) then the puck went out infront of the net and Owen Leckelt put in the gimme goal to tie the game.
Matthew Croxall got the game winner at 18:36 of the second period unassisted.
Shots on goal in the second period were 11-10 for the Saints.
Shots on goal in a scoreless third period were 8-4 for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs outshot the Saints 30-24 in the game.
Ivan Kasteling stopped 21 of the 24 shots that he faced for the win for the Bulldogs. For the Saints former Prince George Cougars goalie Ukrainian Alexander Levshyn stopped 26 of the 30 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the Game were 1) Matthew Croxall 2) Johnny Crawford 3) Felix Haibock
Attendance in Blackfalds was 440
Bulldogs next game is Saturday October 24th in Blackfalds against Oliver Kiraly and the Vernon Vipers.
