If there was any doubt the Bulldogs were ready for the playoffs, they put them to rest on Friday night at the Alberni Valley Multiplex in a convincing 4-0 win over the Victoria Grizzlies. While the announced crowd of 1791 was agonizingly close to a complete sellout, it was the largest crowd to take in a Bulldogs game this season at the Mulitplex.
After the Bulldogs recognized their graduating 20-year old players, they came flying out of the gate putting up 22 first period shots on the Grizzlies. Chase Klassen would be the only player to find the back of the net as he put home a loose puck rebound past Oliver Auyeung-Ashton.
Auyeng-Ashton wouldn’t make it past the 2nd period as the Bulldogs piled up 3 goals and another 22 shots. Down 4-0 after 40 minutes, Grizzlies bench boss Rylan Ferster went with Gus Holt in the 3rd period.
Brandon Buhr (12th), Will Elger (18th) and Matt Kursonis (11th) scored in the 2nd period.
Hobie Hedquist made 32 saves for the 3rd shutout of the season, and 8th of his career. The win was the 54th of Hedquist’s BCHL career, giving him the franchise mark.
The victory gave the Bulldogs a final record of 31-19-3-1and a record of 18-7-0-1 at home. The win clinched 3rd place for the Bulldogs who will wait to see if they play Chilliwack or Victoria in the 1st round of the playoffs. Game 1 of the Coastal Conference Quarter-Finals presented by the Port Alberni Port Authority will go Friday March 31st, and Game 2 will be Saturday April 1st. Puck drop for both games is set for 7:00 pm.
The Box office will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to 5pm, and Friday at 10 am this week for playoff tickets. You can also purchase them online by CLICKING HERE
