Bulldogs’ play-off hopes hanging by a thread

ON TARGET: Bulldogs’ captain Keiron Furlong scored his team’s only goal in defeat to Billingham. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

BRADFORD BULLDOGS saw their play-off hopes take a hit after suffering a heavy home defeat to BIllingham Buccaneers. 

The Bulldogs remain embroiled in a three-way battle with Sheffield Titans and Nottingham Lions 2 for the last two play-off spots, with only two games remaining. 

The Bulldogs went down 8-1 at home to Billingham on Sunday, a result which, combined with a surprise 3-2 overtime win for Nottingham at fourth-placed Coventry Blaze NIHL, saw them drop out of the play-off places for the first time this season.

With Sheffield’s impressive 4-3 win at Altrincham the week before, it leaves all three teams locked on 16 points, the Titans having a slight advantage with them having three games remaining, while Bradford and the Lions have just two.

The issue is clouded further as it is unclear when the clash between the Bulldogs and the Titans can now be rescheduled for, given the initial date of Sunday, March 30 proposed by England Ice Hockey clashes with the first round of the post-season.

The Bulldogs were always likely to find life difficult against the Buccaneers, sat third in the league and confident of retaining the play-off title they won last year when stunning Sutton Sting 4-3 in overtime. 

The visitors got off to the perfect start in Bradford when they raced into a 4-0 first period lead, two efforts from Sam Dowd sandwiching goals from Stephen Wallace and Lewis Hall.

Dowd completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute, although the Bulldogs got on the board before the second intermission when captain Kieron Furlong - returning from injury after a three-game layoff - fired past Chris Outhwaite in the Buccaneers goal.

But that was as good as it got for the home side, the five-goal cushion being restored by Kyle Black before Tom Wakefield and Ethan McLaughlin rounded off the scoring for a comfortable victory. 

“We got off to a poor start dropping four goals in the first period,” said head coach Andy Brown. “But I thought for most of the second we were equal to them. Unfortunately in the third we failed to control our D-zone and Billingham ran out worthy winners.

“This Sunday will be another tough game as we know Sutton are a well-organised team. It would be nice to show that we can compete with the top teams and finish the season in a respectable way.”