Bulldogs succumb to Titans for second time

ON THE BOARD: Kacper Andrukianiec scored the Bulldogs’ second goal at Ice Sheffield. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Pictures

BRADFORD BULLDOGS came off second-best for a second time this season against Sheffield Titans - a poor second period letting them down at Ice Sheffield as they went down 8-2. 

The Bulldogs had gone down to South Yorkshire looking to avenge a heavy 13-5 defeat on home ice last month. 

But they were unable to get the better of the early-season NIHL North Two leaders, who ran out comfortable 8-2 winners. 

Not surprisingly, the hosts enjoyed greater possession and chances in the first period but the Bulldogs were able to stay in the game. 

The Titans went ahead at 13.35 through Norah Barnes but the Bulldogs were quick to respond with a strike from Ben Darbyshire at 14.59. 

Milly Thulbourne ensured Sheffield went into the first break ahead, however, when she beat Jack Mickevicius two minutes later. 

Three goals inside the first six minutes of the second determined the game, Sheffield doubling their lead through Harry Illingworth on the power play at 21.40 before Reece Wickens made it 4-1 just over a minute later. Just under three minutes later, Ethan Jones made it 5-1.  

It got worse for the Bulldogs just after the halfway mark when Sam Parkin found the net, a minute later Tom Humphries piling on the agony when he made it 7-1 at 32.04. 

Just a few seconds of the third had elapsed before the Bulldogs were able to reduce the deficit through Jacper Andrukianiec, but the six-goal lead was quickly restored when Rory Ross-Docherty found the net at 43.14. 

The win saw the Titans extend their lead at the top to six points following Billingham Buccaneers’ 5-3 home defeat against Coventry NIHL Blaze. 

The Bulldogs’ slipped to seventh after Altrincham Aces’s 7-0 home win over Nottingham Lions.

The Bulldogs take on the Titans for a third and final time this season at The Pound this Sunday (October 26, face-off 5.30pm).