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Bulldogs leave it all on the ice in game four
2015-03-02
2014-15 Antigonish Farmers' Mutual Jr. Bulldogs
While the season ended too soon for the Farmers' Mutual Bulldogs, it wasn't without a huge effort to prevent that from happening. In a 5-3 loss to the Glace Bay Miners, the Bulldogs came out flying as they wanted to extend the series.
In what could be called appropriate, overager Kory Tate, playing his final game as a Bulldog, led the way with two goals and for the playoffs, a team-leading four points. James Briand, looking more like Yvan Cournoyer every time he gets the puck, scored the opening goal of the game, on assists from Connor O'Brien and Cody Reeves. The Miners quickly responded, with Henry Levatte putting the puck past Brandon MacDonald on short-handed breakaway. The first period was probably the best the Jr. B's had played against the veteran-laden Miners all season.
The Miners got the jump on the 'Dogs in the second, scoring at the 1:52 mark but on the power-play, the Bulldogs evened things up with Tate's first goal, from Colin Graham, at 3:31. Just when it looked like the sandwich frame would end like the first, tied, the Miners scored on the man-advantage with 44 seconds remaining. At the 20:00 minute mark, Bradley Boone was tagged for a questionable interference call- Ryan Bursey had a firm grip on him- leaving the Bulldogs to start the third short-handed.
The Glace Bay squad took full advantage, scoring at 0:43. Tate kept it close, though, with an unassisted effort at 6;16. Goaltender MacDonald also did his best at keeping the game tight, stopping 39 of 43 shots. With time ticking down and the net vacant, the Bulldogs came close to tying it but a Glace Bay empty-netter sealed their fate.
For his efforts, Tate was named A&W Player of the Game. Had there been a second and third star, those would have gone to Briand and MacDonald. A big tip of the Bulldog toque, as well, to team captain and overager Nate Letcher, who played hard in his final game, just like he did during his four years with the team.
With the season over, the awards banquet is next on the agenda. A tough season for the Bulldogs but if the mix of rookies and veterans on this year's squad is back for next season, along with a sprinkling of new additions, 2015-16 looks promising.
A huge thank you goes out to the players, coaches, bench staff and board members for the hours and hours they have contributed during the year, all on a volunteer basis. We also want to thank the fans, parents and sponsors for their efforts in keeping Jr. B hockey alive and well in Antigonish town and county.
The Miners got the jump on the 'Dogs in the second, scoring at the 1:52 mark but on the power-play, the Bulldogs evened things up with Tate's first goal, from Colin Graham, at 3:31. Just when it looked like the sandwich frame would end like the first, tied, the Miners scored on the man-advantage with 44 seconds remaining. At the 20:00 minute mark, Bradley Boone was tagged for a questionable interference call- Ryan Bursey had a firm grip on him- leaving the Bulldogs to start the third short-handed.
The Glace Bay squad took full advantage, scoring at 0:43. Tate kept it close, though, with an unassisted effort at 6;16. Goaltender MacDonald also did his best at keeping the game tight, stopping 39 of 43 shots. With time ticking down and the net vacant, the Bulldogs came close to tying it but a Glace Bay empty-netter sealed their fate.
For his efforts, Tate was named A&W Player of the Game. Had there been a second and third star, those would have gone to Briand and MacDonald. A big tip of the Bulldog toque, as well, to team captain and overager Nate Letcher, who played hard in his final game, just like he did during his four years with the team.
With the season over, the awards banquet is next on the agenda. A tough season for the Bulldogs but if the mix of rookies and veterans on this year's squad is back for next season, along with a sprinkling of new additions, 2015-16 looks promising.
A huge thank you goes out to the players, coaches, bench staff and board members for the hours and hours they have contributed during the year, all on a volunteer basis. We also want to thank the fans, parents and sponsors for their efforts in keeping Jr. B hockey alive and well in Antigonish town and county.