The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (25-15-1-0) head to Powell River to take on the Kings (10-29-3-0) in a Friday / Saturday Double header at the Hap Parker Arena.
Both the Bulldogs and Kings are coming off Family Day wins, and both clubs need to keep racking up wins, albeit for very different reasons.
The Bulldogs are 3rd in the Coastal Conference, 2 points behind Chilliwack with a game in hand on the Chiefs. Nanaimo & Victoria are still very much hot on the heels of the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are playing good hockey, as indicated by their 7-2-1-0 record in their past 10, but even that pace hasn’t been enough to keep up with the Chiefs who are 8-0-1-1 in their past 10.
Powell River on the other hand are fighting for their playoff lives. With 12 games remaining, the Kings are 4 points behind the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Powell River has gone on record saying they want a taste of playoff hockey this season so the Bulldogs have to be prepared to face a desperate Kings team this weekend.
In their 3 previous meetings this season, the Bulldogs are a perfect 3-0-0-0 against the Kings, outscoring them 14-7 in the process. In the past 5 seasons, the Bulldogs are 7-2-0-0 at the Hap Parker Arena.
Watch for Callum Tung to return between the pipes for the Bulldogs after getting last weekend off. Tung is 17-11-1-0 with a 2.80 and a .915 save % on the campaign.
It’s also worth noting that Bulldogs head coach Joe Martin enters the weekend a single victory behind Kevin Willison for club’s all-time wins list among head coaches. Willison compiled 128 wins during his tenure with he club from 2011-2016. Martin is 127-81-17 since joining the Bulldogs in 2019.
The Bulldogs return home next week for a rare mid-week affair when they host the Victoria Grizzlies on Wednesday evening. The game is presented by Double R Meats, and one lucky fan is going to win free bacon for a year! For your chance to win, enter by CLICKING HERE
