The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (18-14-0-0) travel to Powell River to face the Kings (7-21-3-0) in a weekend double-header. It’s the first time this season the Bulldogs have made the trip to Powell River this season.
The Bulldogs are coming off a disheartening 5-3 loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Saturday night at the Dawg Pound. It was a game the Bulldogs felt good about their effort, however this isn’t an effort-based business and the Bulldogs made some costly mistakes that ultimately took away a win.
Heading into the weekend, the Bulldogs have dropped 3 straight away from home and their record sits at an unpleasant record of 7-8-0-0 on the season. Coming home with a road record above .500 is the goal for the weekend.
The Bulldogs are 6-5-0-0 in Powell River in the past 5 years. In their only previous meeting this season the Bulldogs defeated the Kings 6-4 back in early November. The Kings roster has undergone significant changes since then, including the addition of Glen Anderson as head coach and General Manager.
Entering the weekend the Kings have dropped 2 straight and are 3-6-1-0 in their past 10 games. The Kings are coming off road losses in Victoria and Cowichan last weekend.
Kings goaltender Owen Crudale got the start in both games last weekend, and in fact has started 6 straight. In 21 games played, Crudale is 4-14-1-0 with a 3.77 GAA and a .893 save %. Hlib Artsatbanov got the start when these two clubs faced off in November.
WEEKEND NOTES:
- Jax Wismer remains sidelined with injury and is still considered week-to-week. The Bulldogs and the BCHL announced this week that Wismer will skip the Top Prospects game in Penticton next weekend.
- Captain Nicholas Beneteau enters action tied for 2nd in BCHL scoring with 41 points. Beneteau currently trails Surrey’s Caden Cranston who has 44 points on the year.
- Beneteau currently ranks 15th in Bulldogs history with 115 career points. Up next on the list is Bradyn Melrose (117), and former captain Stevie Castagna (124 pts).
- Hayden Stavroff moved into 5th spot in the BCHL goal scoring derby with his 2 goal effort against his former team on Saturday. Stavroff has 18 goals on the season, 3 behind West Kelowna’s Felix Caron who has 21 on the season.
