The Blackfalds Bulldogs fought until the end but fell to the Sherwood Park Crusaders 5-3 to begin the postseason.
On Friday night at the Sherwood Park Arena, they kept it close until the Crusaders pulled ahead in the third period to take Game 1 of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) Alberta Division Semifinals.
The Bulldogs struck first on the road taking the lead just 3:31 into the first period scored by forward Hunter Brown.
Their lead didn’t last long as Crusaders forward Hunter Price found the equalizer just seven seconds later.
With just over five minutes remaining in the opening frame, Blackfalds forward Matheson Mason reinstated the Bulldogs lead off a pass from Aaron Brown.
In the second period, Sherwood Park scored two straight to take their first lead of the game. Less than two minutes in forward Ethan Merner scored to tie it followed by a goal from Nick Wellenreiter approximately seven minutes later.
However, the Bulldogs answered with 1:24 left in the second period off the stick of Easton Adrian to head into the third period tied at three.
In the final frame, the Crusaders pulled ahead, and this time for good.
Defenceman Dominic Payne scored 12:28 into the period to give the home team the lead followed by an empty netter from Mercer for his second goal of the game.
Both goaltenders were busy but Bulldogs Wilson Maxfield got the slight edge with a 37-save performance in the loss. On the other end of the ice, Crusaders netminder Erick Roest also had a big game turning aside 30 shots.
Game 2 is set for Saturday night in Sherwood Park at 7 p.m. before the series shifts to Blackfalds for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday, April 23, and Wednesday, April 24.