After uncharacteristically dropping two games at the Dawg Pound to open the BCHL Coastal Conference Semi-Final this past weekend against the Langley Rivermen, the Bulldogs have made the trip to Langley looking to get back into their series with a big game 3 tonight.
Winning at the “Lodge” wasn’t a problem in the regular season for the Bulldogs as they took both of their games in Langley during the regular season. They will need that trend to continue if they are to avoid going down 3 games to none in the series.
The Bulldogs played “better” in Game 2, after a lacklustre effort in Game 1, however good sometimes isn’t good enough in the playoffs.
Langley has gotten the jump in both Game 1 and Game 2 as Vitaly Levyy opened the scoring both nights. The Bulldogs of course were one of the best teams in the BCHL during the regular season when scoring 1st. Opening the scoring tonight could go a long way in settling the nerves.
As Assistant Coach Wacey Rabbit eluded to in a pre-game interview, the club has responded all season when facing adversity, and the belief around the team today was that they would respond in typical Bulldogs fashion. This is a club that has prided itself on it’s resiliency all season, and they’re hoping to draw on that tonight.
Ajeet Gundarah has been the story of the series so far. After a light night in Game 1, Gundarah posted a 35 save effort in Game 2 and robbed Josh Van Unen with just over a minute left in the game on what appeared to be a sure goal. He was rewarded as the game’s 1st star. Gundarah has a .949 save percentage through the 1st two games of the series.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have been rock solid in these playoffs with just 13 goals against in their 6 playoff games. It’s the offence that’s taken a bit of hit. The Bulldogs will look to continue creating the chances they earned in Game 2 when the hit Gundarah with those 36 shots.
Matthew Maltais has provided a spark offensively this round for the Bulldogs with 2 goals and 1 assist.
Special teams are always important this time of year and fortunately for the Bulldogs they’ve been incredibly disciplined since the puck dropped in the post-season. The Bulldogs have given their opposition just 7 power play chances, while earning 19 power plays of their own. On paper, that is a recipe for success if the pattern can hold.
Puck drop is set for 7:15 pm, while Game 4 goes tomorrow night at the same time. A Bulldogs win would produce a Game 5 back in Port Alberni on
