Bulldogs tame Thunder

Photo courtesy of Rob Raincock

The Blackfalds Bulldogs came from behind and beat the Drayton Valley Thunder 3-2 in overtime Friday at the Eagle Builders Centre.

Tyler Blocha opened the scoring 2:38 into the first period when he beat Lucas Massie, who made 20 saves for his 10th win of the season.

The Bulldogs tied the game at one 5:42 into the second when Ryan Johnson picked up his own rebound and beat Jari Kykkanen, who made 27 saves in the loss. Johnson’s 11th was the first Toque, Mitt and Teddy Bear Toss goal in franchise history. The Thunder took a 2-1 advantage 6:19 into the frame when Ethan Browne tallied his second of the season.

Blackfalds tied the game at two with 51 seconds left in regulation when Nick Magis sent a rocket past Kykkanen for his seventh of the campaign.

Regulation solved nothing, so the Bulldogs and Thunder required overtime Friday. Brett Meerman ended the game 2:02 into the extra session when he rammed the puck past Kykkanen for his seventh of the season and second extra time goal of the year.

With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 12-14-1 on the campaign, which has them in sixth place in the AJHL South.

Blackfalds will look for its second straight win Saturday in Lloydminster when they take on the Bobcats for the first time this season.