Bulldogs down to last two chances to make NIHL North Two play-offs
ONTHE HUNT: Bulldogs’ Josh Guy battles for possession against Coventry. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here
BRADFORD BULLDOGS must quickly move on from their latest NIHL North Two disappointment if they are to pick up the necessary points needed to qualify for the play-offs.
The Bulldogs require two points from their remaining two games in order to clinch the eighth and final play-off spot.
That will earn them a quarter-final tie with recently-crowned North Two champions Sutton Sting.
Their first chance to overhaul Nottingham Lions 2 - the team currently sitting in eighth spot - came last Sunday at home to Coventry NIHL Blaze.
But a 5-1 defeat leaves the Bulldogs needing to take care of business either this Sunday at home Kingston Sharks or at Deeside Dragons 2 on Sunday, March 22.
UNDER PRESSURE: Bulldogs’ players clear the danger in front of net against Coventry. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here
Player-coach Dave Williams hoped his team could have taken care of business against Coventry but is now focussed on the next challenge of beating Kingston for the first time this season at the third and final attempt.
“It was another disappointing performance for us against Coventry, but it’s not something we will dwell on at this late stage in the season.
“The focus now is on the remaining two games and aiming to ensure we clinch the last play-off spot.
“We were out-shot by Coventry 2-to-1 and were lucky not to concede more than we did. We performed better in the third period but again we can not leave it until the final 20 minutes to start competing with teams.
“Sunday’s game will be just as much of a challenge. Kingston have had a tough season like us with inconsistent performances and mixed results.
“However, they do have a good core of players who are capable of putting the puck in the net and winning games.”
The Bulldogs gave themselves a mountain to climb when they trailed 2-0 after the first period, Ashton Rudkin breaking the deadlock at 5.56 before Zac Baker doubled the lead just under 10 minutes later.
Just after the halfway stage Coventry - who beat the Bulldogs on home ice 7-0 in January - had fired themselves into a 5-0 lead.
HIT MAKER: Bulldogs’ Ben Fox (right) battles with a Blaze opponent. Picture: Abigail James
Charles Coney struck at 22.43 before Jamie Lewis added a fourth just over two minutes later.
The visitors increased their advantage at 30.42 through Oliver Harris although the Bulldogs gave themselves faint hope of a way back when captain Kacper Andrukianiec got his team on the board in the closing seconds of the second period.
But Coventry were able to protect their four-goal lead in relative comfort leaving the Bulldogs with two games in which to extend their season.
This Sunday brings the Bulldogs last home game of the regular league season against Kingston Sharks.
Doors open 4.45pm; Face-off: 5.30pm