The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (21-10-3-0) visit the Chilliwack Chiefs (19-11-0-2) tonight at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
The Bulldogs are 2-0-0-0 against the Chiefs this season including a 4-2 win in Chilliwack back in December, and a 7-3 win at the Dawg Pound on Tuesday night.
After their loss on Tuesday, Chilliwack bounced back and earned a 4-3 win over the Coquitlam Express last night in Coquitlam. Despite nearly blowing a 3-0 lead, the Chiefs salvaged the win thank to a Kienan Draper goal at 9:49 of the 3rd. The win snapped a 3 game losing streak for the Chiefs.
The Bulldogs are currently the BCHL’s road warriors as they’ve won 6 straight away from the Dawg Pound, the longest such streak in the league. The Bulldogs are 11-7-1-0 on the road this season.
One thing to watch is the Bulldogs power play. In a strange twist, the Bulldogs power play is one of the worst in the entire BCHL on home ice at just 16.2%. When they get on the road however, it’s a different story. The Bulldogs power play jumps all the way up to 29%. The Chiefs penalty kill, 4th overall in the league could be in for a big test tonight.
Rookie Nicholas Beneteau leads all Bulldogs in the head-to-head matchup with the Chiefs with 2 goals and 2 assists. Josh Zary and Arlo Merritt have each scored twice int he season series as well. Cam Johnson is pacing the Chiefs attack with 2 goals and 2 assists of his own.
Hobie Hedquist has certainly held the advantage in goal over the Chiefs Grant Riley. The Bulldogs have torched Riley for 11 goals in two games, both Bulldogs wins. Hedquist meanwhile is 2-0-0-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .911 SV% vs Chilliwack.
After tonight’s match-up, the Bulldogs and Chiefs face off twice more this year as Chilliwack visits Port Alberni on Feb 19th, and March 6th.
