Creighton Cup, Game 3

Back at home, the Victorias looked to rebound after losing Game 2, along with losing star winger Marty Walsh to injury. Game 3 did not begin auspiciously, as Bruce Stuart beat Bowse Hutton on the very first shot of the game. The Vics had little opportunity to recover from this setback, as stay-at-home defenseman George McNamara soon went down with an injury and did not return to the game. He's expected to miss Game 4, as well. Walsh is likely to return for Game 4, but for Game 3, at least, the Vics were forced to soldier on without two of their key players. They closed out strong in the first when Frank Rankin scored to tie the game. Rankin suffered through a miserable regular season, but, as in years past, he's elevated his game in the playoffs. With a goal in every contest thus far, Rankin has been one of the few bright spots for the Victorias in this series.

In the second period, the Bulldogs' second line took over. Tom Hooper and Oliver Seibert had quality chances, but it was power forward Scotty Davidson who did the damage. Davidson skates like a runaway train, and when he manages to put his speed, skill, and attitude together at the same time, he can be a fearsome opponent. Davidson scored early in the second to restore the Dogs' lead, and then he scored again on the power play midway through the frame. With three goals in four postseason games, he's been a solid contributor who's taken pressure off of the Dogs' big stars.

The third period featured a lot of back-and-forth, but little in the way of scoring. The Dogs' PK woes continued, as they surrendered yet another power-play goal, this time to Billy McGimsie. The Vics' top center made it 3-2 with that strike, but Paddy Moran slammed the door shut and backstopped his team to a 3-2 win and a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 takes us back to the Dog Pound (with apologies to the Cleveland Browns), where the Bulldogs can claim the first Creighton Cup in franchise history if they win at home in Game 4. For the Vics, they'll need to prevail on the road in order to force a fifth and final game on home ice.