Photo courtesy of RHC Photo/Rob Raincock
The Blackfalds Bulldogs earned their second straight win Wednesday in Olds when they tamed the Grizzlys 6-3.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring 3:53 into the first frame on the power play when Tye Carriere recorded his second of the season. Ryan Johnson gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 edge 4:59 into the game. Blackfalds went up 3-0 after Kaiden Ellertson potted his first AJHL goal 13:40 into the period. Olds’ Noah Hackett converted on the man advantage 14:38 into the frame, making it a 3-1 game.
Just 20 seconds into the second period, a piece of plexiglass came loose and fell on the ice, which caused a lengthy delay. Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the second stanza.
Olds made it a 3-2 game 32 seconds into the third when Kieran Raymond tallied. Noah Hackett would find the back of the net for his second of the evening 5:11 into the period shorthanded, which tied the game at three. Just 32 seconds later, Ryan Johnson sent a rocket past Tristan Martin, who made 20 saves in the loss. Johnson’s second of the evening gave the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
About a minute later, Tye Carriere scored his second of the contest, which provided some insurance for Blackfalds. Carriere would add his third of the night with eight seconds remaining in the game to seal the victory. It was the first hat-trick in the history of the Bulldogs. William Dyke stopped 24 shots for the win.
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 5-9 on the season, which is good for sixth in the AJHL South at the moment.
Blackfalds is back in action Friday in Grande Prairie when they take on the Storm for the first time this season. The Bulldogs conclude their weekend Saturday in Whitecourt against the Wolverines.