Bulldogs’ Junior Review: 12s, 14s and 18s in action

BULLDOGS’ HEROES: Jacob Shaw (U-12s Spirit of the Game), Jacob Mardell (U-18s Spirit of the Game), Ollie Hill (U-12s ‘Digger’) and Thomas Lee (u-14s hat-trick hero).

BRADFORD BULLDOGS UNDER-12s pulled off a 4-1 victory against Leeds Junior Knights Blue when they paid a visit to Elland Road Ice Arena last Sunday. 

In a great performance by the Bulldogs, Bentley McEwen was on the board first for the visitors, who then took control of the game in the second period through two goals from Evan Bulmer. 

The points were made safe in the third period by a goal from Timur Sprogis, assisted by Stevie Abdy. 

Jacob Shaw got the Spirit of the Game award, while Ollie Hill got the hardest worker ‘Digger’ helmet.

Later in the day, the Bulldogs’ Under-18s played host to Nottingham at The Pound, hoping to exact some revenge for a heavy 13-2 defeat in Nottingham earlier in the year. 

Despite being heavily outshot - Jacob Mardell once again keeping his team in the game with a string of fine saves - the Bulldogs held their own and took the lead through captain Danny Harrison in the fifth minute. 

Nottingham hit back through Theo Thomas in the eighth minute which is how it stayed until just after the halfway mark when a second for Harrison restored Bradford’s lead at 32.13.

Hopes were high comingout for the third, but Nottingham wee level just four minutes in through Ewan Woodward. 

Three goals in as many minutes then saw the game get away from the Bulldogs, Thomas completing his hat-trick with a third period double and Darren Tuuling also beating Mardell. 

As the Bulldogs chased the game, Kingston McKenzie made the points safe with a 59th-minute strike. 

Jacob Mardell got the Spirit of the Game award after saving 67 of the 73 shots on his net. 

The day before, Bulldogs Under-14s got off to a great start at home to Manchester Storm Academy, taking a 2-0 lead inside six minutes through two goals from captain Thomas Lee. 

But four goals in as many minutes - all from Zac Grimes - towards the end of the period saw the visitors go in ahead at the first break. 

The second period was another hotly-contested affair, Heiko Petrusevicius and Grimes increasing Storm’s lead before James Easter and Vilem Scherks replied for the Bulldogs. 

The prolific Grimes made it 7-4 at 25.46 with his sixth of the game before Louis Brook hit back a minute later to keep the Bulldogs well in the hunt going into the third period. 

A power play strike from Oscar Schjelderup at 35.47, followed by another by Grimes three minutes later saw the Storm enhance their lead before Lee completed a fine hat-trick for the Bulldogs in the 39th minute to make it 9-6. 

But Grimes closed out the game for the visitors, taking his personal tally to a remarkable nine goals as Storm ran out 11-6 winners.