The Port Hardy Bulls scored five goals in their first commercial hockey league game last weekend, but it wasn't enough for a win. Two nights later, the Bulls held the Port McNeill Mustangs to two goals.
Still not enough.
Bill Rushton and Chris Dutcyvich both scored in the final five minutes as the host Mustangs rallied to hand the Bulls a tough-luck, 2-1 loss Sunday at Chilton Regional Arena.
That followed a 9-5 league win by the Neucel Islanders over the Bulls Friday night in Port Alice.
Mustangs 2, Bulls 1
Goalies Colin Hunko of the Bulls and Len Miller of the Mustangs both escaped unscathed in a scoreless first period, and the Bulls struck first when Steve Verbrugge buried a wrist shot from the circle at 5:28 of the second.
Hunko and the Bulls made it hold up for almost 10 more minutes before Rushton took a Ray Bono pass and beat Hunko stick side from the slot to tie it 1-1 at 15:04. Just more than a minute later, Shay Peterson won a race to a dump-in behind Hunko and managed to slot a pass to Dutcyvich, who one-timed it inside the opposite post for the game-winner.
Islanders 9, Bulls 5
Jason Hodson scored four straight goals for the hosts, who held built a 6-0 lead early in the second period before holding off a late Bulls rally.
Eric Kennelly bookended the win the first and last goals of the game, and Mike Farrell, Adam Contois and Graham McKay also scored for the Islanders.
Richard Burgess had a pair of goals and Jordan Campbell found the net for the Bulls. Full scoring details were unavailable.