The Alberni Valley Bulldogs open their 2019-2020 BCHL Pre-Season schedule tonight at the Multiplex as they host the Powell River Kings at 7:00 pm. The same two teams will battle it out again tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm.
The Bulldogs had a busy off-season. From new ownership, to a new head coach and general manager in Joe Martin, to several new faces in the line-up, this years Bulldogs squad looks much different from the group that finished the 2018-2019 season with a 4 game sweep at the hands of the Victoria Grizzlies.
The message from Joe Martin at the outset of camp has been that this is a hockey team that will compete hard night in and night out. They also want to restore a little fear in the “Dawg Pound” as a tough building for opposition teams. The Bulldogs had just 11 wins on home ice last season, a total that was the 2nd fewest in the BCHL. That’s something that didn’t sit well with Joe Martin. “This has always been a tough 2 points for the road team, we made it clear to the players that a part of our identity is going to be having pride in our home building and community. If a team wants two points from us in our rink, they better be prepared to work for it.”
Tonight’s line-up features the Bulldogs debut of Luke Pearson in goal. Last season Pearson had 25 wins for the Whitby Fury while posting an impressive 1.94 GAA and a .938 save percentage. Several NCAA programs are interested in seeing Pearson suit up in the BCHL and tonight is the first chance Bulldogs fans will have to see him man the crease.
Jacob Bosse also draws into the line-up and has had impressive camp through the first couple of days. New comer’s Tommy Bannister and defenceman Moe Acee also join returning players Stephen Castagna, Ethan Jones, Hayden Hurst, and Grayson Valente in tonight’s game.
The Bulldogs box office will open at 1pm, or you can buy tickets online with no-service charges by CLICKING HERE
Tickets are just $5.00 for Adults, and $2.00 for Children/Youth Tickets.
