Bulldogs keep play-off bid alive as Sting get stung at The Pound
GOAL-DEN MOMENT: Kacper Andrukianiec celebrates his goal in the 5-3 win ove Sutton Sting. Picture: Alien Aerial Photography
BRADFORD BULLDOGS boss Andy Brown hailed his team’s most complete performance of the season - but expressed frustration that it has taken until the end of the campaign to produce it.
The Bulldogs pulled off a major shock when beating 2024-25 NIHL North Two runners-up Sutton Sting at The Pound on Sunday - thrusting them back into the play-off picture.
Assistant captain Ben Darbyshire led the way with two goals, with Lucas Vince, Kacper Andrukianiec and Rocco Mallon - playing via the two-way agreement with Leeds Knights 2 - also getting on the scoresheet.
At the other end, Jake Lowndes repelled 42 of the 45 shots on his net to take the Bulldogs’ MVP gong.
Play-off positions will be finalised this weekend, although it remains to be seen what the outcome will be regarding the remaining fixture between the Bulldogs and Sheffield Titans, with no ice time available to stage the game due to it being postponed earlier in the season.
DOUBLE DELIGHT: Ben Darbyshire led the charge against Sutton with two goals. Picture: Alien Aerial Photography
“I think that’s the most complete game we’ve played all season,” said head coach Brown. “And although it was great to get the win, it’s slightly frustrating that it’s taken until now to get going.
“I felt everyone bought in and it shows that on our day we can give anyone a game. Jake was outstanding in net but we also played a much more controlled game.
“Our D zone was solid and we took our chances when we went forward.”
In the only previous meeting between the two teams this season, Sutton hammered the Bulldogs 10-2 at Ice Sheffield, but it was clear after the opening 20 minutes, this was going to be a much closer affair.
GUEST STARRING: Rocco Mallon - on a two-way from Leeds Junior Knights - sealed the deal against Sutton with a late empty-netter Picture: Alien Aerial Photography.
The Bulldogs went ahead, with just over 10 minutes gone through Kacper Andrukianiec and, although the Sting levelled five minutes later through Elliot Meadows, the hosts were able to go into the first intermission ahead when Darbyshire bagged his first of the night on a delayed penalty at 17.20.
Sutton found more zone time and created twice as many chances as the Bulldogs in the middle period, but Lowndes and those in front of him remained firm.
They were eventually breached when Callum Russell dragged the visitors level for a second time at 32.07, but their joy proved to be short-lived when Lucas Vince restored the Bulldogs’ lead just 88 seconds later.
The Sting proved they were not going anywhere, though, when equalised for a third time through Morgan Glasby at 37.07 meaning there was all to play for going into the third.
Crucially, the next goal went the way of the Bulldogs, Darbyshire doubling his tally at 47.35.
The Sting pushed hard for a fourth equaliser, eventually pulling goalie Jack Hargreaves for the extra skater, only to leave the goal open for Mallon - along with Noah Percival one of two Leeds Junior Knights two-way forwards who impressed - to fire into the empty net to ensure three valuable points in the Bulldogs’ bid to make the post-season.