Bulldogs Victorious in Inaugural Home Finale, 4-1

March 28, 2016 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Brewster Bulldogs News Release


Brewster Bulldogs vs. the Berlin River Drivers
Brewster Bulldogs vs. the Berlin River Drivers
(Brewster Bulldogs)

It's been a season of ups and downs for the Brewster Bulldogs. In fact, it's been a similar year for their opponent, the Berlin River Drivers. With playoff implications on the line, these two teams would meet for the final time of the season, and the packed Brewster crowd was treated to a great game and a Bulldogs victory to keep playoff hopes alive still.

The Bulldogs came out firing on all cylinders, outshooting Berlin 18-8. Bobby Bowden, in his first start with Brewster, was sharp on all opportunities and Ryan Donovan played very well in net for Berlin. The lone goal of the game would go to Brewster, as Alex Johnson held up at the side of the net on the rush and fed a waiting Jan Salak on the doorstep, who rang the puck off the post and into the net for his 10th goal of the season. The goal at the 3:39 mark would also earn an assist from fan favorite player, Sean Maktaak.

In the 2nd period the barrage continued, as Brewster outshot the River Drivers by a 18 to 5 margin. The Bulldogs were able to score twice in the period, at the 8:06 mark as Nikolai Okhlobystin would score his 30th goal of the season, from Jan Salak and MJ Graham. They would strike again at the 11:21 mark, as Jay Croop buried a puck through Donovan's 5-hole, scoring his first goal as a Bulldog, and against his former club. The game's only fight would occur in the 2nd period, prior to the Okhlobystin goal, as Anthony Lobianco and Berlin newcomer John Celli would drop the gloves, and both would earn 5 minutes in the box for their bout.

In the 3rd period it would be John Celli once again mixing things up for Berlin, this time challenging Sean Maktaak. Neither side dropped gloves, but both exchanged facewashes and heated words and would each get 2 minutes for roughing. After a penalty to MJ Graham at the 5:08 mark, it would be Brewster who would benefit, and one of the best goals of the year shorthanded, as Alex Johnson would take the puck off the faceoff in his own zone, speed through the neutral zone, dangle Andre Niec and finally Ryan Donovan for a beautiful goal and his 20th of the season at the 5:32 mark, with an assist going to John Scully. This would be Berlin's best period, outshooting Brewster 18-9. Bobby Bowden held on however lost the shutout with only 4:19 remaining as Curtis Warren found the back of the net off a mad scramble, his 11th of the season from Stephen Gallo and Andre Niec. The final score would be 4-1 for Brewster

For Brewster, Jan Salak had a goal and assist, Nikolai Okhlobystin, Jay Croop and Alex Johnson had a goal each and MJ Graham had 2 assists. Bobby Bowden stopped 30 of 31 shots for the victory. For Berlin, Curtin Warren had the lone goal and Ryan Donovan stopped 41 of 45 for the loss. Attendance for tonight's game was 329.




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Brewster Bulldogs vs. the Berlin River Drivers
Brewster Bulldogs vs. the Berlin River Drivers
   



Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2016


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