Bulldogs fall to the Lions in 2026 opener
TREBLE: Josh Stockton scored a hat-trick at the National Ice Centre for the Bulldogs but it couldn’t prevent a 7-5 defeat. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
A COSTLY first period saw Bradford Bulldogs kick off 2026 on the losing side as they suffered a second defeat of the season to NIHL North Two rivals Nottingham Lions 2.
Josh Stockton scored a hat-trick as the Bulldogs went down 7-5 but the damage was done in the first period which saw them trailing by four goals.
For 15 minutes the visitors were in the game at the National Ice Centre, a power play blast from the right circle from Paul Lane halving the deficit after they had fallen 2-0 behind to goals from the Lions’ Harvey Smith and Connor Bennett inside the first three minutes.
But three goals in two minutes before the end of the period handed Nottingham a convincing lead they never let go of.
Charlie Davenport struck at 17.39 on a break down centre ice before - just 12 seconds later - Jake Fisher beat Jake Lowndes to make it 4-1.
With 43 seconds of the period remaining, Davenport doubled his tally while the Lions were short-handed, winning the puck inside his own zone before driving down ice and beating Lowndes to his right.
Davenport completed his hat-trick 25.59 on the power play but the Bulldogs were quick to respond when Josh Stockton beat James Guest at his near post straight from a face-off win by Lane.
But the lead was restored to five goals soon after when Davenport made it four on the night when he finished off a 2-on-1 breakaway past back-up goalie Jack Mickevicius at 28.45.
That was how it remained until the last 10 minutes, when the Bulldogs restored some pride with three goals.
Stockton took a pass from Lane around the halfway mark before weaving his way through the Lions defence and backhanded over Guest’s right shoulder to make it 7-3 at 51.04.
Five minutes later, Jordan cut in from the left boards and beat Guest from a tight angle to make it 7-4 before - with just 47 seconds remaining - Stockton completed his hat-trick, creating space for himself in front of net before back-handing home.
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back THIS SUNDAY (January 11) when they host Billingham Buccaneers at The Pound.
Face-off is the usual 5.30pm, with doors opening at 4.45pm.
For ticket prices go HERE