Bulldogs come from behind to tame the Lions on the road - PLUS Under-16s

ON TARGET: Kacper Andrukianiec scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Bulldogs in Nottingham. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

ANDY BROWN is looking for his Bradford Bulldogs team to build on the good work shown in their win at Nottingham Lions 2 in order to secure six more vital NIHL North Two points this weekend. 

The Bulldogs picked up their second win of the campaign with a come-from-behind 7-4 win at the National Ice Centre, pulling three points clear of their hosts who are locked at the bottom of the standings with division newcomers Deeside Ducks. 

Two-way signing Kay Hathaway led the way once again, with his second hat-trick in as many games, while other goals came from Lucan Vince, captain Kieron Furlong, Kacper Andrukianiec and debutant defenceman, Steven Cox.

It was just the response head coach Brown was looking for, having made it clear during the week to his players how unhappy he was with their capitulation at home to Altrincham the previous Sunday. 

TREBLE TOP: Kai Hathaway scored his second hat-trick in as many games for the Bulldogs. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

“It was a good response from the disappointment of the previous weekend,” said Brown. 

“We actually started slowly and Nottingham deservedly took the lead. But we fought our way back into the game and I believe we deserved to take the points.”

The Bulldogs actually started badly and found themselves 2-0 down after 10 minutes through strikes from the Lions’ Jake Fisher (3.53) and 10.26. 

It looked like getting worse when Ben Fox headed to the box for a check from behind, but the visitors responded in rousing fashion, scoring two shorthanded goals in the space of 17 seconds. 

Furlong was first to get on the board when he halved the deficit from close range at 11.18 before Hathaway showed his quality once again when driving into the zone before firing past Joe Nolan.

Nottingham got themselves ahead again through Michael Berehowskyj at 26.28 but, again, the Bulldogs responded, Vince hauling them level just after the halfway mark before Cox fired home on the power play at 33.36. 

The teams went into the second intermission level, however, when Berehowskyj doubled his tally with just 44 seconds of the period remaining. 

But it was the third period where the Bulldogs came out firing, another quickfire double blast putting some welcome daylight between the teams.

Andrukianiec was first to make his mark, blasting home from the top of the left circle at 43.08, before Hathaway grabbed his second to make it 6-4 just 20 seconds later. 

As the Lions chased the game, Hathaway took his tally for the Bulldogs to six goals in just two games when he added some security for the visitors with a 55th minute strike. 

“I was pleased with our special teams which were both 100 per cent for the game,” added Brown. “It was particularly good to us bag two short-handed goals.

“We had a couple of new faces in the line up in Steve Cox and Thomas Carroll and they both performed well, as did Kai and Luke (Alston) once again. 

“Unfortunately Ste separated his shoulder after taking a hit and will require surgery, so will be out for a while, which is a real shame as I was impressed with his performance.

“I also thought Jack Mickevicius was great for us between the pipes. Hopefully, we can build on this performance going into next weekend.”

Bulldogs Under-16s in tough day against local rivals

ELSEWHERE at the weekend, the Bulldogs Under-16s came up against a strong Leeds Junior Knights team when the two met at The Pound.

Jonas Bennett fired the visitors into a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes but it was the conceding of three goals in two minutes where the game got away from the Bulldogs, efforts from Larry Dean, Kieran Smith and Christian Roth enabling the Knights to take control at 5-0.

Further efforts from Josh Noble, Frank O’Sullivan and Zach Taylor ensured there was to be no way back for the hosts as they trailed 9-0 at the fist intermission.

The Bulldogs managed to fashion a handful of chances at the other end but were unable to find a way past netminder Harrison McCourt.

The win was completed early in the second when Noble doubled his tally and Bennett completed his hat-trick before Ilan Berman and Ben Elliott added their names to the scoresheet for a comprehensive and deserved victory.