The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (32-20-1-0) host the Langley Rivermen (19-28-6-0) in the final regular game of the 2023-2024 regular season for both clubs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm, and fans are encouraged to be in their seats early as the Bulldogs recognize the junior careers of their six graduating 20 year old players.
The Bulldogs extended their home-ice winning streak to 6 games with a 3-2 win over the Surrey Eagles last night. The loss also snapped the Eagles 11 game winning streak. The Rivermen are coming off a 4-3 OT loss in Nanaimo.
Entering the final day of the regular season, the Bulldogs still don’t know if they will face Langley or Coquitlam in Game 1 of the Coastal Conference Quarterfinals beginning next Friday at the Dawg Pound. If Chilliwack earns a point of any kind in Nanaimo tonight, or the Bulldogs lose, the Chiefs will clinch 2nd. A Chiefs loss and a Bulldogs win will give Alberni Valley 2nd.
Lot’s to sort out, but most importantly there is a game to play tonight against a team the Bulldogs have yet to beat.
Langley is a perfect 3-0-0-0 against the Bulldogs, outscoring them 12-7 in the process.
Success has been hard to find against the Rivermen this year, and with a potential 1st round match looming in the distance, the Bulldogs will want to play their “A” game tonight to show Langley that regular season success could look much different in the post-season where the Bulldogs have boat loads of experience after last season’s run to the league championship series.
Callum Tung will draw the start tonight in the season finale. No BCHL goaltender has made more saves this year than Tung. It’s also his first appearance this year against the Rivermen.
Some individual notes heading into Game 54.
- Hayden Stavroff enters tonight tied for the league lead in goals with 34.
- Nicholas Beneteau enters the final game tied for 10th all-time for points in franchise history with 137 points. Beneteau is a single point behind Josh Mitchell, Alex Nikiforuk & Mitch MacMillan who all finished their careers 138 points.
- A win tonight would give the Bulldogs 33 victories, the 3rd highest total in a season since the team moved to Port Alberni in 2002.
The Box office is open at 10am, or you can skip the trip and buy online by CLICKING HERE.
Don’t forget, tonight is your final opportunity to use your “Bring a friend” vouchers or your flex vouchers this season. Make sure to exchange them for game tickets and help us fill the rink for the final game of the regular season!
