Bulldogs stung as play-off hopes suffer further blow at Sutton
SCORING TOUCH: Bulldogs’ Paul Lane scored twice against Sutton Sting but it couldn’t prevent a 9-3 defeat. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
WITH just one NIHL Two North play-off spot up for grabs and three games remaining Bradford Bulldogs remain in control of their own destiny with three games remaining.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash at The Pound against Coventry NIHL Blaze, the Bulldogs remain bottom of the table, but just one point off Nottingham Lions 2, who currently occupy the eighth and final play-off place.
The Lions finish their regular season schedule 24 hours before the Bulldogs host the Blaze, meaning player-coach Dave Williams and his players will know what is required of them in their final three games before they face off on Sunday.
Last weekend they got a taste of what to expect in the post-season if they make it through when they faced current leaders Sutton Sting.
The Nottinghamshire side can clinch the league title if they are successful in Coventry this Saturday, meaning they are the team Bradford would tackle in the two-legged first round play-off tie.
As expected, it proved a tough task at Ice Sheffield on Saturday against the Sting, who established a 6-0 lead inside 35 minutes before the Bulldogs were able to get on the board.
Morgan Glasby was the main to do the most of the damage, scoring twice in each period for the Sting, for who former Bulldogs’ forward Connor Medley was also on target along with Elliott Meadows.
But Meadows’ strike at 33.46 provoked a response from the visitors, who got themselves back in the game with three goals in 59 seconds.
Paul Lane opened the Bulldogs’ account at 36.09 - beating former Bulldogs’ netminder Sam Bolwell - then doubled his tally just 25 seconds later before Jared Knowles got in on the act to make it 6-3 at 37.08.
ON THE MARK: Jared Knowles scored Bulldogs’ third goal in the defeat at Sutton Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here
Any hopes of extending the fightback in the third period were ended, however, when Sting got back on top with three goals in four minutes, Ryan Aspley striking either side of a fifth goal for Glasby at 49.01 to make it 9-3 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
That’s how it stayed, leaving the Bulldogs with three games to secure a top-eight finish.
“Saturday was a tough one for us against a very strong side,” said player-coach Williams. “Sutton are one of the best sides we have faced this season.They moved the puck well, took their chances, and punished us when we made mistakes.
“We had spells where we competed with them and created opportunities but we weren’t consistent enough across the full game. Against a team like that you can not afford to switch off .
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — we have enough talent in that dressing room to compete with the best teams in this league.
“But right now we are missing something. Whether that’s consistency, belief or composure, I’m not sure - but if we want to win games, we have to be more focused and have more grit about us to ensure we play for the full 60 minutes.”