The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (9-10-1-1) host the Victoria Grizzlies (9-10-1-2) in the Bulldogs Annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Multiplex. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed toy, or warm clothing items for the game. Bears will be sold at the Multiplex with proceeds going to the Toy Run.
While the flurries fall outside, the Bulldogs hope the Fur flies inside the Multiplex with the return of the Teddy Bear Toss. Chase Klassen was the here last year when he scored early in the 1st period in a win over Coquitlam. It’s always fun to guess who might get the lucky goal.
As nice as the festivities around the Teddy Bear Toss are, the Bulldogs have larger goals in mind than simply scoring a goal tonight. The Bulldogs are coming off an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Penticton Vees on home ice last Saturday. It’s a loss that’s not sat well with the organization and practice this week had a little extra truculence to it. For Joe Martin and company, the hope is that the level of emotion displayed in practice this week, translates to the ice when the puck drops tonight.
The Bulldogs are facing a Grizzlies team that they haven’t seen since opening night, a shootout win for Alberni Valley. The Grizzlies enter action having won two straight, both over Cowichan to leap frog the Bulldogs into 4th place in the Conference standings. To put some context on the importance of tonight’s game, if the playoffs started today, these two clubs would be squaring off in the 1st round.
While there is a certain doom and gloom feeling after the Penticton contest, the Bulldogs have just 4 regulation losses in their past 10 games, and for the most part the club felt they were rounding into form after big road wins over West Kelowna and Salmon Arm.
New additions David Sacco and Dakota MacIntosh have provided improved depth and scoring punch up front. Watch for both of those players to continue making an impact as they settle into their new lives here in Hockey Valley. 20-year old Nanaimo native Campbell Arnold is expected to earn the start in goal tonig
The Bulldogs are now 6-1-1 in their past 8 versus the Grizzlies and will look to stay hot against their Island Rivals tonight!
