The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (4-6-1-0) host the Coquitlam Express (5-3-1-1) in BCHL Coastal Conference action tonight at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. The game is presented by Canadian Tire, and puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
The Bulldogs are coming off a forgettable road trip that saw them drop all 3 games away from home. The fact that the Bulldogs had both the undefeated Penticton Vees & the Merritt Centennials on the ropes and failed to close out either game despite having leads of 3-1 and 4-1 respectively made the results even tougher to swallow.
The Express come into tonights game sitting in 3rd place in the Coastal Conference, 3 points clear of the Bulldogs. The Express have the rare distinction of being winless at home, and undefeated in regulation on the road. Entering tonight, the Express are 5-0-0-1 away from the Palace on Porier in Coquitlam.
The Express have a new bench boss in Patty Sexton. Sexton replaced former Bulldogs Assistant Coach Brandon Shaw this summer who departed for Niagara in the Ontario Hockey League. The game also marks the return of former Bulldog Mirko Buttazzoni who is off to a great start for the Express with 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points.
For the Bulldogs, things simply put have not been good enough. The Bulldogs have surrendered a 40 minute lead on 3 separate occasions this season, after doing so just twice all of last season. Joe Martin preached a buy in to playing “Bulldogs Hockey” for a full 60 minutes this week. It’s essential for the Bulldogs to get back on track.
The Express played the Bulldogs tough last year as they split the season series 2-2. Expect much more of the same this season.
The box office opens at 4:00 pm or tickets are available online by CLICKING HERE
