Peter Topshee, Antgonish Jr. Bulldogs, skates through the neutral ice zone in Sunday night action in the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League. The Bulldogs skated to a 5-2 victory over the Port Hawkesbury Strait Pirates. (Gail MacDougall photo)

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The Antigonish Bulldogs moved to within one point of the Sid Rowe division leading Port Hawkesbury Strait Pirates with a 5-2 win over the division leaders Sunday at the Antigonish Arena.
“We certainly came to play,” Bulldogs co-coach Bill Garvie said.
“That was evident from the start. We put the effort in and the rewards were there for us.”
Chris Alguire put the Dogs on the board at 3:15 of the opening period firing a shot from the slot into the top corner of the net. The goal was assisted by Mitch Gammon and Matt McLaughlin.
Bulldog netminder Derrick Tait made the save of the period off former Bulldog Nick Allard, sliding across the crease and garnering a glove save off the Pirate forward.
“That was an unbelievable save,” Garvie commented.
“He had tremendous vision to see the guy on the other side of the ice – it was just a phenomenal stop. It certainly must have been a downer for them to see him come up with a save like that. Derrick is one of those guys who comes to play every game. He’s a great leader and a great team player. I have nothing but praise for his work ethic.”
The Dogs outshot the Pirates 10-9 in the period.
Jeremy Sheppard scored while the Pirates enjoyed a two-man advantage to tie the game at one. The goal came at 3:05 of the second with Sheppard skating in off the right wing and unleashing a low shot that beat Tait cleanly. The goal came eight seconds into the powerplay opportunity.
Defenseman Colby VanOirschot wired a shot from the high slot that handcuffed a screened goaltender Brennan Laite at 8:56. Wade Bordian picked up an assist on the goal.
Spencer Cameron, playing his first game of the season for the Bulldogs, made his presence felt, scoring a powerplay goal at 9:47. Cameron came off the right wing board and unleashed a shot from the slot that found the mark just inside the post. Peter Topshee and Steven MacGillivray had assists on the goal.
“Spencer is fast but shows great patience,” Garvie said.
“He’s been skating a few times but it’s great for his confidence to get into a game and things are only going to get better for him. The line (Tim MacDougall, Ricky Chisholm) played well together and it was good to see them successful from the start. They were very effective.”
The Pirates’ Keenan Lima concluded the scoring in the period, jamming the puck short side on Tait at the 15:58 mark, leaving the Dogs with a 3-2 lead heading into the final minute of the period.
Justin Chiasson gave the Dogs some breathing room heading into the final intermission, splitting the Pirate defense and going top shelf with his shot. The goal, scored with 25 seconds left in the second, was assisted by MacDougall and Bordian.
MacDougall put the finishing touch on the Dogs win with his 10th goal of the season at 16:07. The Dogs hemmed the Pirates in their zone and MacDougall, on his third attempt, beat Laite with a slapshot from the slot.
Ricky Chisholm and Chiasson picked up the assists.
Tait earned player of the game accolades.
The Dogs will host the Pictou Scotians Friday night at Antigonish Arena and Saturday will journey to Glace Bay to take on the Miners.