John Hawthorne came up big, stopping 27 of 30 shots throughout the game. The Alberni Valley Bulldogs took the lead before the halfway point in the third on a goal from Darren Rizzolo.
Darren Rizzolo had no trouble finding the scoresheet, adding 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) and Brandon Bergado delivered for his team with 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists). Christian Sanda contributed with 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist).
In the first period, Welsh opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a goal at 4:25 with helpers from his teammates Lee and Bergado.
In the second, Kozlowski finally put Coquitlam on the board with a goal at 15:07 with a helper from Ambrosio. Bergado quickly followed with a goal at 15:19 with assists from Lee and Rizzolo.
During the third period, Sanda answered for the Express with a goal at 2:32 with an assist from his linemate Pederson. Tonkin-Palmer answered for Alberni Valley with a goal at 9:00 with helpers from Poliziani and Oliver. Rizzolo deposited what turned out to be the game winning goal at 11:07 with assists from Bergado and Selleck. Robillard answered for Coquitlam with a goal at 14:45 with helpers from Sanda and Linell. Steele answered for the Bulldogs with a goal at 19:36 with an assist from Mastrodonato.
Alberni Valley’s victory was in no doubt helped out by Hawthorne’s big night as he stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced. Hawthorne’s counterpart, Cooper, also had a big night, managing to stop 38 of 42, but ultimately fell short.
This win brings the Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ record to (345-316-47-0).
