Bulldogs Junior Review: Rounding-up hectic weekend of action

SPIRITS OF THE GAME (from left): Denis Sprogis (U-10s), Timur Sprogis (U-12s), Louis Brook (U-14s) and Jacob Mardell (U-18s).

IT was a hectic first weekend of action for our junior teams with no less than FOUR of them in action. 

Our Under-12s got the weekend underway when they hosted Whitley Bay in what turned out to be a see-saw battle before ending up all-square at 4-4.

After falling behind to an early Zach Charlton strike, the Bulldogs got back on level terms through Robson Bagott 7.05, while Timur Sprogis was next to find the net for the hosts at 12.09 after they fell behind for a second time to an Elliot Taylor goal. 

Captain Bentley McEwen fired his team ahead for the first time in the 20th minute and it was Whitley’s turn to come from behind when Taylor grabbed his second on the power play at 25.11. 

McEwen matched his opponent’s output when he restored the Bulldogs’ lead just under two minutes later, but it wasn;t too long before the teams were level once more, Harry Appelby making it 4-4 at 27.41. 

Both teams went for it in the third period but the goaltenders - Bulldogs’ Jacob Shaw and Whitley Bay’s Cory Dunn - stood tall to ensure a sharing of the points on offer. 

Timur Sprogis got the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award, while Danny Harkot donned the Hardest Worker helmet.

Under-14s v Whitley Bay

Shortly after, the Under-14s took to the ice to host their Whitley Bay counterparts in another competitive game. 

Once again, the teams were all square after two periods but it was the third which proved decisive. 

After falling behind to a double strike from Whitley’s Stuart Hall inside the first five minutes, the Bulldogs got back on level terms when they found the net twice within 26 seconds, Louis Brook halving the deficit at 9.11 before captain Thomas Lee equalised. 

Denyms Miniallo put the visitors ahead once again at 19.05, but again the hosts rallied, Brook scoring his second of the game - this time on the power play - to make it 3-3 at 25.56. 

But two goals in the space of seven seconds early in the third period - from Miniallo and Matthew Emmerson - put some daylight between the teams and there was to be no way back this time for the Bulldogs. 

Hall completed his hat-trick at 35.01 to make it 6-4, Miniallo did likewise just over two minutes later before Nathan Hartley completed an 8-3 win for the visitors at 38.39. 

Louis Brook earned the team’s Spirit of the Game award, while Mikey Jenkins picked up the hardest Worker helmet.

Under-18s v Nottingham IHC

On Sunday, the Under-18s made the trip to the National Ice Centre to take on Nottingham IHC. 

A tough first period for the Bulldogs saw Nottingham go in at the first break 6-0 ahead through goals from Theo Thomas (2), Regan Kidd (2), Adam Clark and Faith Laverty. 

Luke Birchnall made it 7-0 with just 17 seconds of the second period gone before the visitors got on the board through a strike from captain Danny Harrison at 27.01. 

Thomas completed his hat-trick just over a minute later with Clark grabbing his second of the game just before the halfway mark. 

Harrison doubled his and the Bulldogs’ tally to make it 9-2 at 30.32 before Thomas grabbed his fourth just over a minute later. 

The prolific Thomas added two more to his collection in the third, with James Mather also getting on the scoresheet in a deserved 13-2 win, with Bulldogs’ nettie Jacob Mardell earning the team’s Spirit of the Game award after facing a total of 80 shots.

Under-10s - X-Ice

The Under-10s headed to Ice Sheffield for their latest round of X-Ice against regular rivals Nottingham, Sutton Sting and Sheffield.

Conor Donaghey bagged a brace in the opening 7-2 defeat to Nottingham - with Oliver Toney grabbing an assist - before Arnie Evans got the Bulldogs’ sole reply in the 5-1 defeat to Sheffield that followed. 

Denis Sprogis then came to the fore in a 15-goal thriller against Sutton, scoring four goals as the Bulldogs edged to an 8-7 triumph. 

Teddy Barnett, Finley Mardell, Darian Arman and Arnie Evans also found the net, with assists going to Evans, Robson Bagott and Henry Martin. 

The Bulldogs closed the event out with a 5-0 defeat to an ‘All Stars’ team, before Denis Sprogis was awarded the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game Award.