The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (24-14-1-0) open a big weekend at the Dawg Pound as they host the Langley Rivermen (12-25-5-0) at 7 pm. Tonight’s game is presented by Canadian Tire.
The Bulldogs are coming off a thrilling 6-5 loss to the Surrey Eagles at the Dawg Pound one week ago. The back and forth affair was great hockey and entertainment for the fans. Ultimately the Bulldogs came up short, however they went to toe-to-toe with the best team in the BCHL for 60+ minutes. If the Bulldogs have plans on getting back to a league championship series, you would have to think they will need to go through Surrey at some point.
The Rivermen are not the Eagles, that’s for certain, however it hasn’t stopped them from beating the Bulldog twice in two tries already this season. Despite having just 12 wins on the campaign, the Rivermen have knocked off the Bulldogs twice at the Lodge this year by scores of 2-1 and 6-4. Over the past 5 years, the Bulldogs are 3-0-1-0 against the Rivermen at the Dawg Pound.
If the playoffs started today, this would be an opening round match-up, so there is extra incentive for the Bulldogs to right the ship against the Rivermen.
Hayden Stavroff enters action tonight with 24 goals on the season. He’s coming off a 2-goal effort against the Eagles and currently sit 2nd in the BCHL goal scoring race, one behind the Warriors Felix Caron who has 25.
With a 2 point effort against the Eagles, Nicholas Beneteau moved to 125 points during his BCHL career and past former Bulldogs captain Stephen Castagna on the Bulldogs all-time scoring list. Beneteau needs just 12 more points this season to move into the Bulldogs top-10 list for all time scoring.
Watch for Valdislav Bryzgalov to make his first career start in goal tonight for the Bulldogs. The 18 year old Bryzgalov was 14-5-3 with a 2.15 GAA and a .933 save % during his stint with Ogden in the NCDC. Bryzgalov is ranked 31st by NHL Central Scouting among North American goaltenders.
The Box office is now open, or you can skip the trip and purchase your tickets online by CLICKING HERE
On Monday afternoon, the Bulldogs will host Prince George in their 3rd Annual Family Day Game at 2pm. Tickets for Monday are available by CLICKING HERE
