The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will host the Coquitlam Express in Game 7 tonight at the Dawg Pound. It’s just the second time in the history of the Alberni Valley Multiplex that it will play host to a do or die Game 7.
How did we get here?
Full credit to the Express, they’ve gone toe-to-toe with the heavily favoured Bulldogs and haven’t given an inch in the process. Through 6 games, the score in the series is 17-17. It doesn’t get much tighter.
The road teams have each taken 2 of 3 in their opponents building through the first 6 games. The Bulldogs had the 2nd best home record in the conference going 19-7-1-0 on home ice this year. A Coquitlam win in Game 7 would mean 3 straight losses at home for the Bulldogs, something that didn’t happen all season long.
Adam Manji and Callum Tung have posted nearly identical numbers heading into Game 7. Tung should be feeling great coming off a spectacular Game 6 where he stopped 41 of 42 shots.
Hayden Stavroff and Grayson Badger both have 4 goals and 2 assists in the series, while Drew Garzone leads the series with 4 goals and 3 assists.
While each team struggled in the regular season with the man-advantage, the power play units on both sides have been getting it done. The Bulldogs are clipping along at 29.4% (5 for 17) while the Express are at 25% (5 for 20) in the series.
The Bulldogs roster has experience with a big game 7 as they defeated the Surrey Eagles on the road last season. The Bulldogs also trailed that series 3-2. 9 current Bulldogs can draw on that experience.
The biggest factor may well be the fans. The Bulldogs are anticipating another capacity crowd on hand to cheer the players on. As broadcaster Evan Hammond likes to say, be loud, be that extra man for the Bulldogs. We really have come to expect nothing less for the Dawg Pound faithful.
As of this morning, there are still good seats available for tonight’s game. The box office is open today at 10 am. You can also pick up your tickets online by CLICKING HERE
