As the saying goes, close only counts in horseshoes (and curling?). The Bulldogs have played the Coastal Conference leading Clippers tough this year, but have yet to earn those all important 2 points. They will look to change that tonight as they pay a visit to Frank Crane Arena at 7pm.
The Clippers currently hold a 6 point lead on the Surrey Eagles for top spot in the conference with a record of 24-5-1-0. They’re a sparkling 13-3-1-0 at the Frank. The Bulldogs enter action winners of their past two games and holding a record of 12-15-2-1.
The Clippers are a perfect 4-0-0-0 against the Bulldogs this year, however the Bulldogs haven’t made it easy on Nanaimo. Only one of the games was decided by more than a goal, and twice the Bulldogs have forced extra time. The last time the two clubs saw each other, the spirited affair ended in a 5-4 Clippers win at the Dawg Pound with the Bulldogs buzzing for the equalizer right down to the final seconds.
The Bulldogs got some good news / bad news on the roster front this week. Matthew Maltais will make his 1st appearance in more than a month. Maltais was injured against Chilliwack on December 3rd and missed the Bulldogs past 7 games. Maltais was tied for the team lead in scoring when he went down, so his return is more than welcomed. The bad news is that the Bulldogs will continue to be without veteran forward David Sacco and rear-guard Caden Tremblay. Defenceman Ethan Taylor who chipped in with a pair of goals in the Bulldogs NYE win over Powell River as a forward, will be inserted back up front tonight. The club will also be without Matt Kursonis and Campbell Arnold for the weekend.
Hobie Hedquist has posted a .935% over his past 5 starts and will look to stay hot for the Bulldogs. Port Alberni Bombers goaltender Lukas Toth will back up Hedquist with the Bombers having the night off.
The Bulldogs return home tomorrow night when the host the Wenatchee Wild for the 1st time since October of 2019. Tickets are available by CLICKING HERE.
