The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (30-20-1-0) host the Powell River Kings (14-33-4-0) tonight at 7pm at the Dawg Pound. Tonight’s game is presented by Port Alberni Boston Pizza.
The Bulldogs are coming off an emotion filled 5-1 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs, while Powell River’s season lived to see another day after a wild come from behind 7-5 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals, the team they’re chasing for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference.
The two points available tonight are extremely valuable for both clubs.
Powell River now trails Cowichan by 2 points with 3 games remaining. The Capitals are home to Coquitlam tonight. The Bulldogs now trail Chilliwack by just two points with the Chiefs in Victoria to take on the Grizzlies. Even more importantly for the Bulldogs, a single point tonight will clinch home ice advantage for at least the 1st Round of the BCHL playoffs.
For the first time in franchise history, the Bulldogs have strung together 3 consecutive 30 win seasons, tonight they will look to match their win total from last season at 31.
Hayden Stavroff scored twice to give him 32 goals on the season, he’s now tied with Aaron Schwartz of the Surrey Eagles for the BCHL lead. Captain Nicholas Beneteau chipped in with a pair of assists to give him 45 on the season.
After another stellar night from Callum Tung where he made 29 saves, the Bulldogs will turn to rookie Vladislav Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov has impressed since joining the Bulldogs as he’s posted a 1.89 goals against average and a sparkling .933 save %.
Mason Croucher will return to the lineup after serving his 3 game suspension. Croucher has 30 points on the year for the Bulldogs.
Head-to-Head, the Bulldogs lead the season series 5-1-0-0 and have won 2 straight against the Kings, including a 6-3 triumph at the Dawg Pound back on March 9th. The Dogs have outscored the Kings 25-16 in the 6 games and are 2-0-0-0 at home this season against the Kings.
The Bulldogs will close out the regular season with a pair of home games next weekend. On Friday they take on the Conference leading Surrey Eagles, and on Saturday they will celebrate the junior careers of their 6 graduating 20 year old players when they host the Langley Rivermen.
