The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (1-2-0-0) host the Powell River Kings (1-1-1-0) tonight in the Bulldogs home opener presented by Save On Foods. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take in the always special player introductions.
Offence has been hard to find for the Bulldogs out of the gates in the new season. They’ve registered just 5 goals in their first 3 games, all on the road. Tonight they return home to the friendly confines of the Alberni Valley Multiplex, a building they lost just 4 times in during the 21-22 regular season. They hope that some home cooking will be just what needed to get the preverbal monkey off their back and get the season headed in the right direction.
With 12 returning players from a club that claimed the regular season pennant in the Coastal Conference, many expected the Bulldogs to be a favourite to repeat in 22-23. While 3 games does not make a season, it’s clear that with 8 new forwards on the roster, these early games are as much a chemistry experiment as anything else.
Hobie Hedquist will get the start in goal tonight, after Callum Tung performed admirably in his much anticipated BCHL debut.
The Bulldogs were 6-2-0-0 vs the Powell River Kings last season and defeated them twice in pre-season play in Port McNeill earlier in the month. In the 2nd game of that set, the Bulldogs offence exploded for 8 goals on Liam Vanderkooi. Looking to make an impression at home, the Bulldogs hope they didn’t use up all the goals in Port McNeill.
The box office is open all day at the Multiplex, or tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE
