Late push comes up short in Camrose

Photo credit: Bryan Wilson

Article: Aidan Serra

The Blackfalds Bulldogs and Camrose Kodiaks came into Tuesday’s matinee affair sporting identical records, both coming in with a 14-10-1 record and 29 points, tied for third in the AJHL’s south division. Despite the two teams being tied in the standings, Camrose has a 3-0 lead in the season series, with Blackfalds taking only one point away from games against Camrose.

The Kodiaks came out flying, with Nathan Sullivan giving Camrose a 1-0 lead less than five minutes in, and would double their lead just past the halfway point of the first. After two Kodiaks power play goals, the Bulldogs had the opportunity to get back into the game, as Jason Siedem broke in on a breakaway and was hooked from behind. Liam Bechthold denied Siedem on the ensuing penalty shot, keeping the game at 2-0 Camrose through one.

Owen Dean would deflect home a Myles Gauld pass six and a half minutes into the second period to give Camrose a comfortable 3-0 lead, but the Bulldogs would mount a late push to get back into the game before the second intermission. Spencer Bell forced a turnover and fired a perfect shot into the top corner to make it 3-1, followed by a clever Jayden Joly pass that set up Layne Loomer to make it a one-goal game.

Owen Dean would notch his second goal of the game to extend the Kodiaks lead to 4-2, but Kasey Hiemstra would set up Connor Dick to make it 4-3 just minutes later to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance. However, Liam Bechtold would shut the door from there, as Camrose hung on to win 4-3. Bechthold made 21 saves and Camrose managed to keep the Bulldogs power play off the board, with Blackfalds going 0/5.

The Bulldogs fall to 0-2 on their road trip and 2-6-0 in November. Now halfway through their four-game road trip, Blackfalds plays in Drumheller Friday and in Brooks Saturday before returning home December 2, which kicks off a month that sees them play seven games at the Eagle Builders Centre.