The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (34-14-3-1) travel to Coquitlam tonight to take on the red-hot Express (19-25-1-5). Game time at the Poirier Leisure Centre is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
After suffering a gut-wrenching 3-2 loss at home on Sunday to the Nanaimo Clippers, the Bulldogs have another shot at locking up their 1st Coastal Conference pennant since 2009-2010 tonight against the Express.
It appeared once upon a time that the Express would be hard-pressed to even qualify for the BCHL playoffs, however a run of 7-2-0-1 and three straight wins has vaulted them comfortably into the 7th spot and spot in the big dance. The Express know they will face the Coastal Conference’s #2 seed, they just don’t know who that is.
Alberni Valley, Langley and of course Nanaimo all have to figure out where they will finish. A Bulldogs victory tonight, and the picture becomes a little clearer. A loss, and it’s muddier than ever.
If the Bulldogs learned anything on Sunday in their loss to the Clippers, it’s that you can’t play well for stretches and expect to win this time of season, especially against a good team like Nanaimo. The Bulldogs dominated possession for much of the game on Sunday and even led in the shot department 30-6 at one point in the 2nd period. Leading 2-1, they couldn’t put the Clippers away and then were burned by another short handed goal against, and a bad penalty with under 3 minutes remaining in the game. Just like that, a. 2-1 lead disappeared into a 3-2 loss.
The last time the Bulldogs and Express faced off, Coquitlam earned a 3-2 win on February 27th. The Bulldogs were playing their 3rd game in two and a half days and looked tired. They’ve now had the full week off and look poised to put in a better effort against the upstart Express who are led by former Bulldogs associate coach Brandon Shaw.
The Bulldogs will wrap up the regular season tomorrow evening in Langley against the Rivermen.
Playoff tickets have been a hot commodity this week at the Bulldogs office. The Box Office is open today from 10-5 pm for fans to get their seats for games 1 and 2 of the Coastal Conference Quarterfinal presented by The Dock +. Game 1 goes Friday April 1st and Game 2 is set the next night on Saturday April 2nd. There will be a tailgate party with a charity BBQ with live music prior to Game 2 as well as the Bulldogs have partnered with Five Acre Co.
