The Surrey Eagles managed to hold the league's top goal scorer off the scoresheet on Saturday evening. But even with Mitch MacMillan contained, the Bulldogs received a balanced offensive effort in a 5-4 overtime victory over the conference-leading Surrey Eagles.
Surrey hit the scoreboard first when Grant Toulmin beat Bulldogs starter Frank Slubowski at the 6:06 mark of the first period. The Eagles finished the first period with the lead, but gave up two quick goals in the second to Warren Muir and Johnny Rogic.
The lead then went back and forth between the teams, as Surrey goals by Erik Cooper and Andrew Wallace were evened up by Alberni Valley power-play markers from Kevin Ross and Muir.
The game went to extra time after Jamus Lane evened the score midway through the third period off a Wes Vannieuwenhuizen feed, but David Dziurzynski captured the two points for the Bulldogs with a goal at the 3:30 mark of double overtime.
Eagles netminder Vinny Lessard was kept busy by the Bulldogs, and took the loss despite a 41-save effort. At the other end of the rink, Slubowski faced 30 shots in the win.
Surrey now returns to the Mainland to begin a five-game homestand against the Nanaimo Clippers on Wednesday night. Alberni Valley, meanwhile, remains at home awaiting a Tuesday visit from the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
