Weekend Review - Bradford Bulldogs maintain that winning feeling against Kingston Sharks and Altrincham Aces
GAME-WINNER: Josh Stockton scored two game-winning goals at the weekend. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
BRADFORD BULLDOGS’ head coach Andy Brown saw further proof of his team’s continued improvement after they recorded their first four-point weekend of the season.
Having snapped their nine-game losing streak at Billingham the previous Sunday, the Bulldogs built on that by posting wins on the road at Kingston Sharks and at home to Altrincham Aces.
In both instances, they did it the hard way, coming from 4-1 down in Hull before overcoming a 2-0 deficit in front of their own fans 24 hours later.
Brown will now be hoping his players can continue their improvement and make it four wins in a row when they host Sheffield Titans this Sunday (face-off 5.30pm).
MOVE IT: Bulldogs’ Joel Bark clears the net in front of Sam Bolwell during Sunday’s 3-2 win at home to Altrincham. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
“It was great to get the two wins over the weekend,” said Brown. “We knew both games would be tough with Hull improving massively since the start of the season and having narrowly lost out at Altrincham a few weeks ago.”
The weekend had all started out looking bleak, however, when the Bulldogs found themselves trailing by three goals at the end of the first period in Hull.
A pair from Cain Taylor inside the first 10 minutes plus further markers from Chris Hogarth and Ellis Martin had the visitors on the backfoot, although they grabbed themselves a lifeline when Dean Boothroyd got on the board with his first of the season when he backhanded through traffic from the right circle at 17.16.
The game changed significantly within two minutes of the second, though, with Hogarth ejected for fighting and the Bulldogs on a five-minute power play, Boothroyd doubled his tally when he fired through traffic from the blueline at 21.43.
NOT THIS TIME: Sam Bolwell was impressive in net against Altrincham, turning away 36 of the 38 shots on her goal. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
Just 16 seconds later, it was a one-goal game after Jason Devaney reacted quickest to a loose puck just outside the crease to backhand home past netminder Liam Jackson.
The Sharks saw out the rest of the kill and then got themselves two goals clear again when Taylor fired his hat-trick marker past Jake Lowndes at 27.23.
Again, though, the Bulldogs hit back quickly, Connor Medley making it a one-goal game just 57 seconds later.
Another flashpoint arrived shortly after, though, which resulted in a second Sharks player being ejected from the game, Taylor making his exit on an abuse call at 29.50, while Jack Wooding sat for 2+2 for elbows and slashing.
But no more goals came until early in the third, the Bulldogs on the kill for a delay of game call on Kacper Andrukianec when Michael Speare broke down centre ice and was first to react to his initial shot to fire the rebound past Liam Jackson to pull his team level at 42.34.
The next goal, when it came was crucial and it went the way of the visitors, Josh Stockton gathering the puck just inside the Sharks zone and dancing his way past two opponents before firing past Jackson to give his team the lead for the first time in the game at 52.54.
TRY THIS: Josh Stockton sets up Declan Kime against Altrincham. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
The comeback was completed when, with 12 seconds remaining, Stockton drove down the left and squared for Medley to poke home for a 7-5 win.
“We came out flat in the first period and I wasn’t happy with the way we allowed Hull to dictate the pace and physicality of the game,” said Brown.
“So we made changes and soon found our way back into the match. Jake was great between the pipes and the chemistry between Stocko and Medley seems to get better each week.
“It was also great to see Deano, Divi and Mikey pitch in with their first goals of the season.”
Having lost out late in Altrincham on October 29, the Bulldogs were keen to even the score when the teams met at The Pound on Sunday.
But, despite enjoying greater possession and chances in the first, they could not find a way past Mike Rogers in the Aces net.
They were to regret that in the second when the visitors got themselves 2-0 ahead through well-worked strikes from David Kamenicek and Callum Ruddick, the second on the power play at 35.18.
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Tempers flare briefly between what was a well-contested NIHL North Two clash between the Bulldogs and Aces on Sundat at Bradford Ice Arena. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
It was a touch harsh on the hosts, but they rectified from the opening face-off of the third, Boothroyd feeding Stockon down the left from where he played the puck in front of net where a sliding Medley steered the puck home just eight seconds in.
Just over three minutes later, the scores were level, Declan Kime’s effort bouncing off the back boards, from where Stockton was quickest to react for a wraparound that beat an unaware Rogers.
The winner, when it came, was worth waiting for. The Bulldogs were on the penalty kill when Stockton broke up play on the edge of the Aces zone before - much like his game-winner the day before in Hull - he weaved his way towards net before deking Rogers and sliding the puck home what proved to be the clincher at 50.19.
“I felt we came out strong but just weren’t clinical in front of net,” added Brown on the win against the Acces.
“Sam Bolwell was great in our net but couldn’t do anything about the two Aces goals in the second which were really well taken.
“I think how we came out in the third shows just how much we’ve improved as a team. We took the game to Altrincham and deservedly fought our way back and took the lead. Again Stocko and Medley were massive for us with Josh getting his second game winner of the weekend.”