Bulldogs Flip the Script, Rally Past Pictou 7–5.

Pictou, NS — Despite missing several key players, the Pictou County Shoreline Pipers came out flying on home ice and pushed the pace early, but a relentless third-period surge lifted the Bulldogs to a dramatic 7–5 comeback victory Saturday night at Hector Arena in Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League action.

The Pipers set the tone from the opening faceoff, jumping out to an early 8–2 edge in shots. That pressure paid off when Nate Leger drew first blood, ripping a slap shot from the dot past Bulldogs goaltender Bryson Uberoi for his sixth goal of the season.

The Bulldogs answered back quickly as Brad Kennedy broke in alone on a partial breakaway and beat Spencer Scott over the shoulder to tie the game. Shoreline regained the lead when Leger struck again, batting an errant puck out of mid-air and past Uberoi for his second of the night. The Bulldogs responded once more when Cody Grant recovered a puck below the goal line and found Kennedy in the slot, where he snapped a shot glove-side for his second of the period.

The Pipers closed out a wide-open first frame when Ted McGeen was sprung on a late breakaway and finished glove-side, giving Shoreline a 3–2 lead after one. Shots after the opening period favored the Pipers 20–14.

The teams opened the second period skating four-on-four, but neither side could capitalize. Shoreline continued to apply pressure and extended their lead as Robert Burrows scored at even strength, followed by Fraser Roddick stepping into a loose puck in the slot and beating Uberoi low to the blocker side to make it 5–2.

Once again, the Bulldogs refused to fade. Benny Hofstetter jammed home his first goal of the season after a scramble in tight, cutting the deficit to two. With time winding down, Sam Grant delivered a massive momentum swing, burying his third goal of the season at the buzzer off a quick feed from Alex Saunders, pulling the Bulldogs within one heading into the third. After forty minutes, Pictou held a 37–30 edge in shots.

That late goal proved to be the turning point.

The Bulldogs came out relentless in the final frame and wasted no time pulling even. On an early power play, Zach Fitzgerald caught and released a quick shot from the slot, beating Scott over the blocker to tie the game 5–5. Less than three minutes later, Cody Grant completed the comeback, elevating a backhand from a tight angle under the crossbar to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the night at 6–5.

The Pipers pushed hard to equalize, but Uberoi was flawless in the third period, turning aside every chance to preserve the lead. Fitzgerald capped off a two-goal night with an empty-net marker late to seal the 7–5 victory, before emotions spilled over at the buzzer in a spirited finish.

The Bulldogs finished with a 45–42 edge in shots. Cody Grant and Brad Kennedy led the offensive charge, combining for nine points on the night. Shoreline, playing without top scorer Brandon Verge, was paced by Nate Leger’s two-goal performance and multi-point efforts from Robert Burrows and Ian MacPhee.

Uberoi earned the win for the Bulldogs, improving to 2–0 on the season after stopping 37 of 42 shots. Spencer Scott took the loss despite a strong effort, making 39 saves on 45 shots.

Final Score: Bulldogs win 7-5 over Pipers.

Photo Credits - Nick Gaines Sports Photography