The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (13-4-0-0) host the Nanaimo Clippers (7-7-2-0) tonight at 7:00 pm at the Dawg Pound. Tonight’s game is presented by Mainroad Mid-Island Contracting.
The Bulldogs are coming off a thrilling 3-2 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals last night in Duncan. Hayden Stavroff scored his team-leading 12th of the season with just 3 seconds remaining in regulation time to lift the Bulldogs to the win. Also scoring on the night were Mason Croucher (6th) and Nicholas Beneteau (7th).
Hlib Artsatbanov earned the win in goal as he stopped 27 of the 29 Cowichan shots on the night.
Meanwhile at Frank Crane Arena, the Clippers rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Victoria Grizzlies 5-2 last night.
Tonight’s game marks the 5th in the season series between the two clubs in the inaugural Mainroad Rivalry Series. The Bulldogs captured the Mainroad Cup the last time these two saw each other with a stunning 6-5 OT win in a game the Clippers led 5-2 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation time. The trophy is in the Bulldogs team store if you’d like to see it!
The Clippers boast 3 of the most dangerous point producers in the entire BCHL. Mike Murtagh sits right behind Hayden Stavroff in goals with 11 on the year, while Willyam Gendron is tied with Murtagh with 21 points, good for 7th in league scoring. On the back end, Brett Merner leads All BCHL defenceman in scoring with 21 points of his own. The Bulldogs Jax Wismer sits 3rd with 18 points.
Those 3 have done the most damage to the Bulldogs in the 4 games as Murtagh paces all Clippers with 3 goals and 3 assists.
As impressive as Murtagh has been against the Bulldogs, nobody has enjoyed the Rivalry Series more than Nicholas Beneteau. The Bulldogs captain has 4 goals and 10 points in the 4 game season series to date. Fisher O’Brien isn’t far behind with 8 points of his own.
The big difference in the season series has been the goaltending. While the Clippers got to Callum Tung with 5 goals against their last time out, Tung had been fantastic against the Clippers in the previous 3 games. Conversely, Clippers goaltending has struggled against the Bulldogs. Tom Kiesewetter has a 4.58 GAA and .859 save % in 3 starts against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have enjoyed some good ol’ fashioned home-cooking against the Clippers of late. In the past 5 seasons, the Bulldogs are 11-5-0-1 at the Dawg pound when they host the Clippers, a trend they will obviously do their best to keep rolling tonight.
With today being remembrance day, there will of course be a pre-game ceremony, however the Bulldogs are encouraging the entire community to come join them at 10:30 am at the Glenwood Centre today.
The Bulldogs box office will open at 10:00 am with Sharlie in the store to look after all of your merchandise or ticket needs for today. You can also skip the trip and purchase online by CLICKING HERE.