Hull Jets 7 Bradford Bulldogs 2 - Bad start proves costly as Jets blast Bulldogs once again

REPLY: Connor Medley got the Bulldogs on the board in the second period, but by then the damage had already been done. PIcture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints

BRADFORD BULLDOGS suffered for a second time this season at the hands of Yorkshire rivals Hull Jets - going down 7-2 on the road.

The visitors never recovered from a first-period blitz of conceding five unanswered goals at Hull Ice Arena, the NIHL North Two (Laidler) Division derby effectively over after the first 20 minutes.

Bradford did pull the game back to 5-2 early in the third to give themselves a fiant glimmer of hope, but the Jets quickly increased their lead again to ensure there would be no slip-ups.

It leaves the Bulldogs rooted to the bottom of the standings but, with the season only just over a third way through, time remains on their side.

Mark Florence put the hosts ahead with just 5.34 on the clock, but it was a spell of four goals in just over five minutes that really did for the visitors.

A 2+2 call on Jason Deveaney for tripping and slashing handed the home their opportunity on the power play, Charles Blissett doubling the lead at 12.05 before Kohen Taylor made it 3-0 just 44 seconds later.

Less than two minutes later, 16-year-old Ethan Daintith beat Sam Bolwell to increase the lead, the flurry of goals ending at 17.21 when Taylor fired home his second, although the Bulldogs’ problems increased when defenceman Ben Darbyshire was assessed a match penalty for slashing with just over a minute remaining, his loss tempered slightly by the Jets losing Tom Brierley for the remainder of the game for a check to the head.

The middle period brought some stability for the Bulldogs, even though they were outshot again and, after Owen Bruton was ejected for fighting, they got on the board when Connor Medley struck at 33.57.

Further penalty calls hampered their hopes of a comeback though as they spent most of the remainder of the second period on the penalty kill, although they were able to reduce the deficit further early in the third when Josh Stockton beat Liam Jackson in the Jets’ goal at 43.30.

Soon after though, an interference call on Rhys Edwards put the visitors on the defensive again, Adam Jasecko taking advantage of the resulting power play to make it 6-2 at 46.57. 

Another power play marker from Blissett - his second of the game - completed the scoring with just 36 seconds remaining.