Tyler Burkholtz’s late second period goal with the Chiefs down two men proved to be the winner as the Alberni Valley Bulldogs defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs 3-2 Friday night in Port Alberni.
The loss was the third straight for the Chiefs.
Dylan Nowakowski opened the scoring for the Bulldogs just over six minutes into the first period when his shot from the slot found its way through the legs of Chiefs goaltender Mitch Gillam. It was Nowakowski’s team leading eighth goal of the season. Assists went to Justin Morello and Marlon Sabo.
The Chiefs tied the game with 2:22 left in the opening frame. Malcolm Gould carried the puck into the Bulldogs slot, lost the puck but Derek Huisman was there to pick up the loose puck and backhand the puck into the top of the net. It was Huisman’s sixth goal of the season. Gould earned the only assist.
Through twenty minutes Alberni outshot Chilliwack 18-13.
With Chiefs Captain Tyler Miller in the penalty box, Chiefs forward Josh Hansen cashed in a pass from Mike Spring on a two on one break to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead 78 seconds into the first period. It was the Chiefs third shorthanded goal of the season.
Moments later Kit Sitterley had a great chance to increase the Chiefs lead when he was sent in all alone by David Thompson. Sitterley shot the puck high and over the net.
Mitch Gillam made the best of the period midway through when he acrobatically slid across the crease to stop a one timer off the stick Josh Mitchell.
With just under four minutes left in the second period Justin Morello banged home a loose puck during a scrum in front of the Chiefs net to tie the game at two. The goal was scored just moments after Chiefs forward Spencer Graboski was stopped on a breakaway.
Alberni regained the lead with 38 seconds left in the second period when Berkholtz finished off a nifty three way passing play while the Chiefs were two men short. Josh Mitchell and Walker Hyland picked up the assists.
Shots on goal after two periods favoured the Bulldogs 40-22
The Chiefs were on the power play for the final 1:50 of the third period but several big saves by Bulldogs goaltender Max Fenkell kept the score 3-2.
Alberni Valley finished the game with 53 shots on net to just 34 for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs weekend road trip continues Saturday night in Victoria.
