Bulldogs back to winning ways and moving up in the world

SOLID: Netminder Ryan Wardell back-stopped Bulldogs to a 4-0 win in Nottingham, his first senior shutout and the team’s first of the season. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

ANDY BROWN wants his Bradford Bulldogs to use their win at Nottingham Lions as a catalyst for going on an overdue winning streak in NIHL North Two.

The 4-0 win at the National Ice Centre snapped a seven-game losing streak, brought a first shutout of the season and lifted them off the foot of the table and above their hosts.

The two face each other again at Bradford Ice Arena this Saturday, part of atw-game weekend which sees the Bulldogs head to Altrincham Aces on the Sunday.

Goals from Josh Stockton, Lucas Vince, Connor Medley and Kacper Andrukianiec delivered the two points for the visitors, as part of a much-improved performance, with goaltender Ryan Wardell - posting his first senior shutout of his career - earning praise from Brown.

“It was a relief to finally get back to winning ways,” said Brown. “Ryan was outstanding between the pipes and the team responded by doing what was needed in front of the Lions’ goal. 

“The win gives us a boost for this weekend where we face Nottingham again on Saturday on home ice and then in Altrincham on Sunday. 

“We’ll be looking for a four-point weekend and I know if we can get three-plus lines for each game we have the ability to take all the points.”

FINISHING TOUCH: Kacper Andrukianiec scored the fourth and final goal for Bulldogs in the 4-0 win at Nottingham Lions on Sunday.

Having missed the previous weekend, top scorer Josh Stockton maintained his title when he broke the deadlock with a shorthanded effort at 17.54. 

Nottingham came harder in the second period but were rocked when the Bulldogs doubled their advantage through Lucas Vince at 25.09. 

Creating chances had been a problem for some time for the Bulldogs during their losing streak, but they found their range again in Nottingham and put the game to bed with two goals inside the last five minutes.

Stockton added an assist to his earlier strike when he helped set up Medley at 55.23 before Andrukianiec completed a fine evening’s work for the Bulldogs when making it 4-0 at 57.45.

“It was a fully-deserved win,” added Brown. “We just need to make sure we build on it and produce a strong finish to what has been a tough season.”

The Bulldogs are in action at home this Saturday, hoping to repeat their success against the same opponents. Face-off against Nottingham Lions is at 4.45pm.

It forms part of a busy weekend for Bradford, who travel across the Pennines on Sunday to take on Altrincham Aces (face-off 5.30pm).

Tickets for home games are: £4 adults, £2, Under-16s/concessions, £10 family ticket (two adults, two Under-16s) - all payable on the door.