Bulldogs impress as they push champions Telford Tigers close

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Daragh Spawforth scored his first goals for the Bulldogs’ NIHL team, but it couldn’t prevent a 5-3 defeat at reigning North Two champions, Telford Tigers. Picture courtesy of AllSport Photography

ANDY BROWN saw grounds for optimism despite seeing his Bradford Bulldogs’ team’s losing streak extended to three games at the home of defending NIHL North Two champions, Telford Tigers. 

The Bulldogs - who had been shut out by Altrincham Aces in their two previous games - went down 5-3 at International Way, but for two periods looked well-placed to pull off a shock win. 

In the end, Telford prevailed but they were made to work hard to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and should not take the Bulldogs lightly when the two meet again at Bradford Ice Arena on December 22.

When the two sides met there back in September the Tigers prevailed 10-3 but on Saturday in Shropshire, the Bulldogs had an answer for everything Telford asked of them.

“I felt it was our most complete performance so far this season,” head coach Brown.

“Our puck management was vastly improved and we competed for the full 60 minutes which is something we’ve struggled with in other games.

“I actually felt we deserved to get something out of the game which, considering the opposition and our recent form, is quite a turnaround.” 

It was Telford who made the breakthrough with just under five minutes on the clock when Taylor Stanton beat Jake Lowndes. 

But the Bulldogs hauled themselves level at 10.32 when captain Keiron Furlong was able to find the net from a narrow angle.

Stanton doubled his tally and restored the hosts’ lead just under three minutes later, but the Bulldogs made the most of their second power play opportunity of the game to pull level once again, Daragh Spawforth scoring his first senior goal for the Bulldogs. 

A goalless second period followed meaning there was everything to play for going into the third. 

And it was the Bulldogs who struck first, the impressive Spawforth putting the visitors ahead for the first time on the night with just 59 seconds of the third period gone. 

But hopes of a shock win were quickly dispelled when the Tigers got back on level terms inside a minute through Kyle Watt. 

The crucial blow came just under five minutes later, Telford regaining the lead thanks to a strike from captain Oliver Hunt. 

The Bulldogs kept pushing for another leveller but their hopes were further dashed when Robert Oxley made it 5-3 at 54.36.

Bulldogs’ goalie Jake Lowndes picked up the team’s MVP award, saving 39 of the 44 shots on his goal.