The scoreboard told the story of a close game, but the shot clock said otherwise. When the dust settled at the Weyerhaueser Arena on Saturday, the Bulldogs left the ice with a 4-3 overtime win over Surrey and another handful of reasons to feel confident about their play on home ice.
Despite outshooting the Eagles by a margin of 40-13 through regulation, it took a concerted third period comeback to force overtime. Chris Santiago had staked Surrey to a 3-1 lead just 1:14 into the final frame, but goals from Mitch MacMillan at the midway point of the period and Matt Hatch just six seconds from the buzzer tied the game. Johnny Rogic then scored the OT winner on a solo effort 1:04 into the extra period.
Hatch scored a pair on the evening for the Bulldogs, while MacMillan and David Dziurzynski also enjoyed two-point games. Mike Krgovich also tallied for the Eagles.
Vinny Lessard took the night despite a strong night between the pipes for Surrey, stopping 37 shots. Frank Slubowski had much less work to do in the Bulldogs' crease but picked up his second win in as many nights.
Surrey concludes its three-game Vancouver Island road trip on Sunday with a visit to Cowichan Valley, while the Bulldogs continue their six-game homestand next Friday when they host the Powell River Kings.
