Newcomers to the BCHL on the Bulldogs roster are about to get their first real taste of what life on the road will look like.
After road games in Powell River, Nanaimo, and Duncan to start the season, the Bulldogs will need to get the gas card handy for a trip that will take them to Prince George, Chilliwack and Coquitlam. All told, the Bulldogs will pile up over 1900 KM’s this weekend.
The Bulldogs have been good at home going a perfect 3-0-0 to start the season. Their fortunes away from the Dawg Pound have been less than favourable as they’re still in search of their 1st win away from home this season.
The trip begins Friday in Prince George as the Bulldogs take on the Spruce Kings. The defending BCHL champs have come out of the gates with a 2-3-2 record.
Mitch Deelstra has been off to a tremendous start with 6 goals on the season, good for a share of the league-lead with Penticton’s Danny Weight and West Kelowna’s Levi Stauber.
In goal, the Bulldogs have a bit of a two-headed monster taking shape. Jackson Glassford has been exceptional going 2-1-0 with a 2.01 and a .946 save percentage to start his BCHL career. Luke Pearson meanwhile has shaken off a rough opening weekend against the River Kings to stop 59 of his last 64 shots (.921 sv %).
Special teams have been a strong point for the Bulldogs who rank 4th in the BCHL with a power play clicking at 23.8%. Their penalty kill, currently 8th in the league at 85.7 % will be well tested this weekend against Coquitlam and Chilliwack who own the 1st and 2nd ranked power play units.
After this weekend, the Bulldogs will take part in the BCHL Showcase Festival in Chillwack with games agains the Chiefs on Wednesday and Merritt on Thursday.
