The Smoke Eaters began a three game island road trip on Friday night in Port Alberni and things started well, but the Bulldogs would turn the game around and hold of a 3rd period comeback from the Smoke Eaters to win 6-4.
The Smoke Eaters got off an running quickly with their quickest goal of the season as Josh Schenk added his fourth of the year after taking the pass from Ridge Dawson.
The Bulldogs response was immediate, as Alberni captain Chase Klassen skated up the left side of the ice and beat Teagan Kendrick ten seconds later to tie the game at 1. The Bulldogs would score twice more, including scoring on the tail end of a 5-on-3. The Smoke Eaters brought the game back within one with a powerplay goal of their own as Trey Fechko scored his second of the year from the top of the right circle to make it 3-2.
The Smoke Eaters left much to be desired in the second period as the Bulldogs would score twice more to extend their lead to 5-2, with Lukodvic Tardiff scoring his second of the game and Jeremy Fontaine scoring while the Smoke Eaters had a delayed penalty call.
The Smoke Eaters then found their footing and charged back in the third, hitting two posts before Nick Remissong hit a one timer past Hedquist on the powerplay just over 7 minutes into the third.
A minute later the Smoke Eaters would score again and bring the game within one as Remy Spooner undressed the Bulldogs defenceman as he skated up the left side, put a shot on net creating a rebound for Fechko to jump in for his second of the game.
That would be as close as the Smoke Eaters would get as the Bulldogs would score a controversial empty net goal after a missed icing call lead to the Bulldogs scoring seconds later as they would hold on for a 6-4 victory.
The Smoke Eaters continue the road trip on Saturday night when they take on the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
